Tuesday, July 25, 2006

Progress in the face of adversity

After the past two days I've had (I spent 12 hours at work today), I thought getting any work done at all on the book would be out of the question. Instead, a very rough draft of the "cover blurb" and the first bit of the story appeared in my head as I was putting Gabe down to sleep tonight. So I dutifully typed them down, lest I forget them later on. Better to have something and edit it later than have nothing and try desperatly to recapture whatever it was you thought of once upon a time. It only amounted to about 400 words total, but since I had been at a total loss for how to actually begin the story, I consider it progress.

Now, for those of you wondering just exactly what this book is supposed to be about, I offer you the cover blurb (very rough draft). Ignore any [brackets]--I have to fill those in later. Let me know what you think. Interesting? Too cheesy? I really want to know.

Would you risk everything for the one you love?

Hurt and betrayed by her fiancĂ© and best friend, Elspeth Clarke seeks to forget her troubles on a summer trip to Scotland, Elspeth’s gift to herself for completing graduate school and finding a job. While exploring an ancient castle, Elspeth finds herself suddenly transported 300 years into the past and thrust into the world of clans and conflict[?]. Warily accepted by [the people of the time], Elspeth falls for a clansman named [], but his duties to the clan prevent him from returning Elspeth’s feelings—at least openly—until he is captured and sentenced to death. After one night together on the eve of his execution, Elspeth secretly bargains for his release with the only thing she has, her life, gambling that she will find a way to return to her own time before it’s too late. When [] returns home from captivity and learns of Elspeth’s sacrifice, he, too risks everything by seeking to travel to her time and search her out, not knowing if she is alive, but not willing to admit that the woman he loves is dead.

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

I'm impressed. It seems like a good story, and I know you're a damn good writer. I look forward to reading it. :-)

Anonymous said...

is it standard to start with a rhetorical question?

Jenny said...

Haven't you ever read the inside-flap copy of most popular fiction? Well, seeing as you're the literary type...

Anonymous said...

Is Elspeth from the States? I was wondering that this morning... she isn't though, is she, cos then Alec would have to get a passport and get on a plane... Here's another question, how long is she gone for? Cos when she comes back, is her office wondering where on earth she's been, or does it all happen within the space of her vacation? Some vacation! :-)