Now, I realize that the majority of the people who read this blog are not writers or even aspiring writers so this post may seem of no value to you. However, I do have a few readers who are writers and may be interested in this. For those of you who are not writers, read this and think about what it means for new author. Be willing to try a new author's book with the same enthusiasm you would have for your favorite author. Think of what it means to that new author to sell each and every book they do. For those of you who are writers, check out this link to Literary Agent, Rachelle Gardner's blog. She wrote a post today about the marketing machine that a new author must be.
A quick update on The Council, I achieved about 1200 more words written yesterday. Although today has been a wash due to a doctor's appointment for Scarlett, a trip to Walmart, and bill paying that had to be done. YUCK! None of that was fun. However, during Scarlett's appointment, I got some more reading done on My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult. I'm really enjoying that book right now and hope to have it done within the next week.
Today I am listening to the We The Kings self-titled CD on Windows Media Player. The music of the moment is their song "Skyway Avenue". It's a song about suicide so it's perfect for Train Wrecks and I will possibly use that song for that book's playlist when the time comes. Of course, right now I'm using any writing time I have to devote to The Council so that I can get it finished by the holidays as I have been hoping for.
Next week I need to crack down and get to work on the book more. I've been slacking off and am running behind schedule due to so many doctor's appointments. I have Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday free of appointments next week and need to use those three days effectively. The following week the kids have fall break starting Wednesday so I'm not sure I'll manage to get anything done then, but I'm going to attempt to keep them busy doing other things for at least a few hours each day so I can write hopefully. Keep your fingers crossed for me!
Today's excerpt is set the Friday of the bonfire. Evander and Elyssia have just arrived at the school parking lot.
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Jackson’s Mustang came rolling into the parking lot just behind us. There were many whoops and hollers from much of the football team. They had been worried about the big home game opening the season.
Evander and I climbed out of his car and watched the scene as many of the players came running up to his car asking where he had been. Nate and Amie stood next to us and a sense of fear and anxiety hung in the air around us. Jackson was not parked far from us, and I could see the small line of stitches on the side of his face, presumably from Saturday night’s altercation. He looked directly at me and smiled, but it wasn’t a charming smile. It was full of menace.
The four of us walked into school wondering what the day would hold now that Jackson was back. We were also curious where he had been, but could only conclude that he had been out plotting with his father on how to get control of me. I was partially convinced he was sitting at home waiting for his face to heal up more before having to answer too many questions at school. Whatever it was, he apparently knew the attendance policy at the school. He had to attend the full day of school the day of a game or other event in order to play or attend the event.
Evander walked me to my physics class but was hesitant to leave me alone knowing Jackson would be there sharing a table with me. I was dreading the same thing. Finally, it was almost time for the bell and he had to go to his advance finance class. I made my way through the classroom and took my seat at the table I had had to myself all week.
Jackson came breezing into class in the most jovial mood, greeting Mr. Marshall casually and handing him his absence excuse from the office. “Sorry I’ve been out sick, sir. I’ll get the assignments I missed in to you on Monday. I promise.”
Mr. Marshall handing Jackson the packets of work that we had done all week and said, “Good luck with that Mr. Hunt. You actually have until next Friday to complete the assignments from your absence when it is excused. Go take your seat so we can get started.”
Jackson came back and took his seat next to me as if everything were normal. He greeted me pleasantly enough and didn’t say anything to me the rest of the class. I would have almost thought that he had forgotten all about Saturday except for the stitches and that look he had given me in the parking lot.
When the bell rang, he asked me in a kind voice, “Can I walk you to calculus, El?”
I hesitated, but was curious what was up with him acting so odd. Evander never walked me between physics and calculus because his first and second period classes were too far apart for him to have time. “Sure, Jackson. That should be fine.”
“Well, thank you, El. I’ve wanted to talk to you and apologize for showing up at your house like that Saturday night. I suppose I’m just jealous that you and Evander are dating now. I wish things had worked out between us. It’s just a pity they’ve turned out like this.”
“It may be a pity to you, but I’m happy, Jackson. Doesn’t that count for something with you?” I was very curious where he was going with the conversation and was having trouble reading his thoughts. Something was clouding his mind from me, and I was getting frustrated not knowing what he was thinking.
“Oh, I suppose it does count for something.” We had reached our class and Kyle Kennedy was already waving Jackson over. “But, I always get what I want, El.” He smiled at me with that same look from the parking lot and went over to sit by Kyle.
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