Monday, April 12, 2010

Twofer Tuesday - Salvage Mode

I was thrilled to win a copy of Invisible Boy from the Women of Mystery.
It arrived Monday by courier and I got to sign for it. Signing for stuff makes me feel important.
It's hardcover and it feels good in my hands.
I had a look inside and can't wait to get to it. It's on the TBR pile for now, but I think I'll be getting to it sooner rather than later.
From what I've read, I believe I am in for a treat.

Here are the first two lines of Invisible Boy, Cornelia Read (Grand Central Publishing, 2010)
"So here's what I love about New York City: if someone acts like a dumb asshole and you call them on acting like a dumb asshole, the bystanders are happy about it.
Anywhere else I've ever lived they just think I'm a bitch."

I started something last week in the hopes that writing it would help the idea to solidify. Instead I've gotten about 3,000 words in and have realized most of them will have to be scrapped.
Such is life.
Meanwhile I have two sentences I'm fond of and I will make every effort to find them a good home.
From my current WIP Dead Broke:

"It was a calf-length second skin of a red dress topped with a smile. Her eyes met his and the smile broadened."

Thank you for reading me.
For more, or to get in on the fun, please see the Women of Mystery.




9 comments:

the Bag Lady said...

Great lines - all of them!
Congratulations on winning the book - it sounds like it's going to be a good one!

Leah J. Utas said...

Thanks, Cousin. I'm looking forward to reading my prize.

Kathleen A. Ryan said...

Congrats on winning INVISIBLE BOY. So thrilled that you won! Enjoy it. I love those first two lines!

Even if you have to scrap 3,000 words, it's not a waste. You had to go that route to find your comfort zone in your story. So be it!

Great description of a red dress ~ sounds hot! No wonder he smiled! Good work, Leah!

Frank Baron said...

Count me as a fan of both excerpted lines too.

Yours puts me in mind of the snappy stuff found in Chandler and Hammett.

I bet that dame is one hot tomato. ;)

Leah J. Utas said...

You're right, Kathleen. Punting a few paltry thousand words isn't so bad if it gets me to the right track.
Thanks for your kind words re: my description.

Frank, thanks. I hope she is.

messymimi said...

I love that description of the red dress!

Congratulations on the win.

Leah J. Utas said...

Messymimi, thanks so much.

Dawn said...

Congrats on your win.

And any character who wears a "second skin of a red dress topped with a smile" is going to be dynamite. Looking forward to reading more one day.

Leah J. Utas said...

Dawn, thank you so much for your support.