Welcome to my contribution to #WIPpet Wednesday*, a blog hop where authors share from their current works in progress (WIPs)! I’m still plugging away at my yet untitled … Yes, I have a title for this WIP! You’re reading snippets from Striking Balance, a side tale in my Appalachian Elementals series.
Yay for titles!
Oh, and I also designed a new aesthetic last week. This one is about family… the young person in the lower left is Nub. To his right is someone you’re familiar with if you’ve been keeping up with my blog, and to her right is Conall. The upper characters are ones you’ll meet in Keeping House, which will be released on July 8th.
If you’ve been keeping up with this blog and/or this series thus far, then you also know who the Hunters are. This might be a bit of spoiler, but it shouldn’t be. It hopefully makes you curious as to how this all comes to be.
In case you need to catch up, here are links to other posts in this series.
WIPpet One: Something Brand New
WIPpet Three: No Daughter of Liberty
WIPpet Six: Short People Problems
WIPpet Seven: Apple Dumplin’ Shop
WIPpet Ten: Poke Sallet and Common Loaf
Here’s my #WIPpet Math for 5/22/2019: I’m stealing the 9 for nine paragraphs from… Striking Balance.
Note: The first sentence, in orange, comes from Nub’s head since we’re in his POV, and he’s thinking about Mary and Davy, who are an enslaved mother and son.
But that by no means make it right.
I excuse myself between the main meal and the dessert course and exit through the kitchen, making my way outside and to the privy. Widow Alcott has a well-appointed one, I’ll grant her that, but I’m not there to make use of it.
“Ben?” Mary inquires soon after I close the door.
“Mary. Thank goodness.”
“Davy’s tending the meringues,” she speaks low and fast. “Here you go.” She opens the door a crack to shove something into my waiting hands.
“Two? However did you—”
“Miss Charity gave me her old chemise, and I took a bit from the bottom.”
“T-thank you,” I stammer. “How can I repay your kindness?”
“Keep being yourself. Davy and I need real friends in this world.” With that Mary’s gone. Her gift is a two-fold comfort, a means for me to continue because I’ve only had one of these until now and it’s almost worn beyond usage.
Bless her. I tuck the items into my breeches, tighten the waist, and return to the house, sitting as the meringue is served. Sweet and chewy. It’s a treat I hope Mary and Davy indulge in too.
What’s Mary given Nub? Well, that’s for you to find out, ain’t it? *Wicked grin.*
*WIPpet Wednesday is a blog hop hosted by Emily Wrayburn wherein writers share excerpts of their latest WIP. All genres and levels of accomplishment are welcome. The only stipulation is that the excerpt must coincide with the date in some manner. For example, on 10/8/14 you might share 10 lines from page 8, 8 paragraphs from chapter 14, or perhaps 18 sentences by doing WIPpet math and adding the day to the month. We’re flexible like that.
You do have me wondering. Can’t wait to read more.
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Aw, thanks! I’m so enjoying writing this one, but I think I always say that about my current WIP.
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