Weekend Writing Warriors 104- The Forsaken Crown Sneak Peek
It’s time for Weekend Writing Warriors! Every Sunday, a bunch of writers post 8-10-sentence snippets from their WIPs on their blogs. There’s a lot of reading, commenting and great writing. Click on the link to see the full list.
Hey, I missed you guys last week! Had bronchitis, which wasn’t much fun, and the medication was even less so. But now I’m back, mostly all in one piece.
While my beta readers suffer through Winter of the Wolf, I’ve been working on something else. The Forsaken Crown is a prequel, taking place about ten years before Rise of the Storm. It’s all about Kendryk’s rise to power and will be on the short side for me- maybe 70k words or so. It’s a little odd writing a story with only two POV characters, but I’m actually enjoying it quite a bit. Besides Kendryk, the other main character is a young cavalry officer, Sonya Vidmar. When the story begins, she’s in another country, fighting as a mercenary. She’s been sent on a special mission to capture one of the enemy’s top officers, and has grabbed a hostage before breaking into her target’s tent. Creatively punctuated.
Sonya pushed through, the prisoner in front of her. “Try anything and he dies,” she growled, just loudly enough for her voice to carry through the tent.
“I’m unarmed,” a surprisingly soft voice said.
Sonya turned herself and her hostage toward it, asking, “What’s your name?”
“Igor Kolnikov, Major in the imperial army of Pyotr, our Immortal—”
“Yes, yes,” Sonya snapped, “You must come with us,” she said in a rush, looking over her prize. A man sat at a camp desk, both hands laid flat on the surface; he’d been writing a letter, but had dropped the quill at the incursion.
“Threatening that man is quite unnecessary,” Kolnikov said, even as he stood, “please let him go.”
“Once you’re in our custody, maybe,” Sonya said.
“You’re making a big mistake,” Kolnikov said, “since the war is over.”
If the war is over, Sonya might be in several kinds of trouble. But that’s where the fun begins!
Previous snippets are here.
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Sonya seems a tad bit paranoid, especially if the war is over. An intriguing snippet! 🙂
She doesn’t know the war is over, or believe this guy. But paranoid is a good way to describe her. 😀
The war’s over, eh? Questions, questions. Did her side win or lose? And does she know it’s over? What difficulty could she be in?
It would be mighty convenient for her prisoner, so Sonya isn’t buying it just yet.
Sorry you were ill. Great dialogue here. It begs more questions than it answers. Looking forward to reading more.
Yes, Sonya’s life is about to change in an “interesting” way. 😉
Oh, very interesting! Great snippet
Glad you’re feeling better
Thank you!
Quite a bit of intrigue in this snippet.
70K for me would be long!
There’s something wrong with my wiring. The thought of writing anything very short fills me with terror!
Hope you’re feeling a lot better. Good snippet. Leads to all kinds of questions.
Thank you!
Glad you’re feeling better Christina! You’re such a tease, what a place to stop! 0.0
Marcia
Thanks! 😋
I’m glad you’re feeling better, we missed you! 🙂 And yay, a prequel! That’s exciting! I also love how 70K is “short” for you. 😉
Well, after my last draft came in at 193k, this does feel short. I’d be thrilled if I could make it even shorter, but Kendryk talks too much. 😉
Had bronchitis when I was a kid – yuck. Glad you’re feeling better.
So the war’s over and no one told Sonya – hmmm. Suspicious. tweeted.
Thanks! I have asthma, and the bronchitis likes to creep in about twice a year. I really should just plan for it!
Well I’m not convinced this war is over. Looks like there’s still unfinished business. Great snippet!
Yes, it would be just a little too convenient for this guy!
Oh, goody! More Kendryk! Love this scene. You do such a great job of keeping your characters (and readers) off balance.
My method is to ask, “what’s the worst that could happen?” and write that. I’m always happy to provide more Kendryk. 😀
Glad you’re feeling better! I love how 70k words is on the short side for you. lol. I WISH I could write something that long. As for the excerpt, loved it! Sonya is definitely a feisty one. 🙂
Thank you! I never met a subplot I didn’t like, and my characters will talk forever if I let them. Helps beef up the numbers. 😀
Strong warrior, but yeah, if the war is over (I’m not sure I believe it either) she could be in a world of hurt. I was surprised that Kolnikov had a “soft” voice. Intriguing.
Peace treaties are always bad news for mercenaries. 😉
He’s one of those “speak softly and carry a big stick” kind of guys, so she’s very wary of him!
Cool! Keep writing. I love visiting that world! 🙂
Thanks! I have material for an endless number of prequels, if I want to write them.
Like Jenna, I was also intrigued by Kolnikov’s softness.
Sounds like the war’s not over for everyone! Love how this snippet jumps right into conflict. Glad to hear you’re feeling better!!
Thank you!
I’m glad you’re better.
An intriguing scene as usual with contrasting characters.
Feel even more better soon!
I’m guessing she’s been out of contact, with the mission and all. But I can’t imagine there’s an easy way for her to confirm what he says, either.
Wars are never over for the angry or vengeful. Interesting snippet. Subplots rule.
Glad you’re feeling better. I think if they’ve been in war she’s wise to be cautious.
The war is over? Doesn’t seem so for her. Intrigued.
Someone failed to pass the news on to her.
Uh oh, timing is everything, could get awkward if the war really is over! Enjoyed the excerpt…
Uh-oh she’s in trouble if the war is over and she doesn’t know it. I’m definitely intrigued by the story! I normally write in 2 point of views, so I found it interesting that this is not the usual way for you 🙂
Well, my last book had eight point of view characters. It’s very hard for me to not want to add more!
Wonder why she wouldn’t know the war is over?
She is definitely on edge, interested in what’s going to happen