Anyway, over at The Sharp Angle, Lydia was discussing the idea that you should buy a novel based on its page 69. That should reveal the heart of the novel's style and situation. Well, she said it better than I ever could, so go check it out.
However, I had to see if my page 69 had any merit. So I thought I'd share and get your opinions. Are they interesting? Would you "buy" it?
Here's Page 69 from LAST OF THE ELVES, my WIP:
“Yes, I know just how busy you’ve been. But tell me, boy, has it done any good?”
“I don’t know,” he answered truthfully. “There was this one—a girl—who I thought would be different. But…” He squeezed her hand. “She’s like all the others.”
She studied him, her hazel eyes—his father’s eyes—seeing more than he would like. But that had always been her gift. A witch by birth, she harnessed the powers of light, truth and beauty, and could always see through the darkness. “She’s special to you.”
“No.” He shook his head. “No.”
Ollie laughed. “Oh, Lial. You were never a good liar. You take after your father’s side of the family too much.” She released his hand and reached for a box beneath the counter. Constructed of polished wood, it did not appear to need the intricate lock clasping the lid. Ollie withdrew a key from her blouse and opened it.
“Hold out your hand,” she said. He did and she placed something smooth and warm in his palm. She curled his fingers around it. “This was your mother’s. She wanted you to have it. For your special woman, she said.”
“I don’t—“
“Shh. Just take it. I’m afraid if I don’t give it to you now, I never will.”
His hand clenched. “Auntie…”
She laughed. “Don’t be sad. I am the fortunate one, Lial. I’m nearly a century old, ancient for a human. It shall be like going to bed after a long, hard day.”
“You’re only ten years older than me.”
“But you’re not human.”
His mouth thinned. “No need to remind me.”
And here's page 69 from DRAGON QUEEN, which I will be querying for soon:
“You’re right, of course,” he interrupted. “We’ll have a feast once she establishes her seat.”
“My seat? I’m going to have a seat?” I squeaked.
“Of course,” the female replied, smiling her gentle smile again. It was such a contrast to her fearsome features that it unsettled more than soothed me.
“Every ruler has a seat,” the male said.
“But . . .I don’t even know how to rule.” Panic crept in again, scratching at my voice and pulling me toward hysteria. I focused on breathing, trying to regain control.
Amusement lit his black eyes. “Do not worry, my Queen, we shall teach you all that you need to know.”
“And what am I supposed to bring to this?”
“Your self,” he answered. “That is greater than any weapon.”
His answer did not stifle my panic, but fed it. It was a bloated thing now, lodging in my throat until I could barely breathe.
His mate must have sensed this, for she abruptly said, “My name is Vahra. This is my consort, Kale. We are the leaders of the Council. The leaders of the Nerolytes.”
“The Nerolytes?”
“It means, “Against the dark.” It is what the Kelsten Skala call us.”
“So the Kelsten Skala are the prominent power?”
She shrugged. “They would claim that, yes. But the Council is an ancient dragon tradition. We have been here far longer than the Kelsten Skala, and we still hold power. Despite being forced to meet in secret for some centuries now.”
I like both of those. :)
ReplyDeleteI like em, too. They'd be better with the other pages of their stories in my hands. ;D
ReplyDelete