Thursday, March 29, 2012

An Update, A Head's-Up, and a Writing Sample ("One Shot")



First off, I apologize for my lapse in posting -- it's been pretty crazy for me lately, and I just don't seem to have as much time to get to my blog as I would like.

So I'm putting this up as an update, a heads-up, AND a writing sample to try and catch up.

In terms of writing update, I still have some stories out in review, have gotten a few more (very-nice with positive comments) rejections, but as yet have nothing to announce regarding publication.  I know it will eventually happen, but it is a bit frustrating to be "close, but not quite..." so often.  Meanwhile, I continue to write (MUCH more slowly than I would like here lately), revise, and submit.

As for a heads-up -- In case I don't get a chance to post again before Sunday:  This Sunday, April 1st, starts the 2012 A-to-Z Blogging Challenge.  There are currently something like 1,400 bloggers signed up for this month-long insanity, of which I am one.   I know, I know -- Lately I haven't been able to update my blog on a consistent semi-weekly rate;  what makes me think I'll be able to put up 26 posts in April????  Well, for one thing, they're going to be short.  Not microscopic, but to the point, and concise.  The goal is to give readers a chance to hit as many of the 1400 blogs as they can through the month.  Also, I have some of the posts already done, so I'm hoping that will give me enough of a head start that I won't flame out and crash come mid-April.  We'll see...  Be sure to check in often during April to see if I can pull this off...

And because I haven't posted in a while, here's a writing sample from today's Creative Copy Challenge -- and it's prose, not just a 10x10!  How 'bout that?

Today's words were:


  1. Strike             
  2. Tough             
  3. Half                
  4. Swear            
  5. Whisper         
  6. Different          
  7. Hock              
  8. Cry                
  9. Shot               
  10. Slippery          

And the image I got from these words led me to this:



"One Shot"


Crandall fought the urge to cry out; to scream at the top of his lungs and flee in a blind panic.  He was so terrified he felt like he might hock up his stomach at any second, but he had to be tough.  The stakes were too high for him to break down now. 
He'd only have one shot -- the Overseer would probably be exposed for a couple of minutes, tops. Maybe only half that. Crandall had to make sure he was focused and ready to strike when the time came.
He closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing to try and calm himself.  He even allowed himself to swear, if only in a whisper. It helped, but not much. 
Crandall opened his eyes, exhaled, and then crawled forward on the rubble-strewn rooftop.  He moved slowly to minimize noise, but also to make sure he didn't slide down the slippery tiles.  It would be just his luck to fall to his death before even reaching his chosen vantage point.
At the edge of the roof, Crandall pulled himself up and perched behind the broken shards of a balcony wall.  He unfurled his stealth wrap and covered himself in it, leaving only a tiny gap for his eyes and his weapon.  He had a clear view of the courtyard below, but he should now be well-hidden from almost every angle. At least he hoped so.  The stealth wrap would protect against infrared, EM, and gravity-density sensors, but he figured he could still be seen visually if any of the overlord's security force came onto the roof and scurried close enough.
He peered down over the rubble.  It would be at least another hour before the overlord's armored convoy arrived, but the Zeltran security forces were already setting up positions and deploying their sensors.  Crandall could hear the scuffle of their talons as they worked.  He was thankful he hadn't waited any longer to get into position.
He tried to steady his heartbeat.  It was hard to do.  Crandall knew this would be sure suicide, but if he could eliminate the overlord first, it would be worth it.  Without their head, the Zeltran hive might be vulnerable; maybe enough that the remaining humans could have a chance.
It was the only way Crandall could see a different future for his son.  To have a possibility for survival.  To have hope. To know more than to be steadily hunted and eliminated as part of the last remnants of humanity left on Earth.

=====


Thanks for reading, and see you soon with the 2012 A-to-Z Blogging Challenge!



5 comments:

Susan Flett Swiderski said...

Good job making that list of words work for you. And good luck with the A-Z. I've finished writing my posts, but am still a little concerned about being able to keep up with my usual blog buddies who aren't A-Zing, all the comments, and the new blogs. Hmm, I guess that's why they call it a challenge, huh?

Dianne K. Salerni said...

Good luck on the querying! I only know one person who didn't have to suffer through multiple rejections (nice ones and not-so-nice ones) before making progress. And she had an advantage over most of us: she knew an agent personally who served as a crit partner and directed her to someone else in the agency who wanted the manuscript!

StratPlayerCJF said...

@Susan: Thank you! Yeah, I've been so busy lately, the A-to-Z will be hard. I know I've been neglecting my existing blog-o-buddies (like you!), so the extra effort in April needed to hit as many other A-to-Zers as possible will be a huge challenge. But I'll be sure to visit yours often!

@Diane: Yeah, I know it will eventually happen, but it's still kinda tough getting the rejections. But I suppose it builds character and inner strength, right? lol! Thanks for the kind words and the support!

Margo Kelly said...

AtoZ - - here we come! And ... I thought I was already a follower of your blog - - but I wasn't! YIKES. Problem corrected. Have a great weekend.

StratPlayerCJF said...

@Margo: Sorry for the delay in responding -- was gone for the weekend! Thanks for the follow!!!