I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest- Lost Words from the Work In Progress

It's Day Three of the I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest.  Today it's all about emotion.

Thanks Angie Cothran and Cassie Mae for hosting the blogfest. I learned a lot about my characters this way.

I have to lose the following scene from my novel but I'm having separation anxiety.  I'd feel better if I could, at least, let it live here.

I am there for the jukebox. For the slap of song against the next one. I press arrows.  Watch titles flicker and smack.  A crumpled dollar bill spits back out at me and I study George Washington, turn my head, face the way he is supposed to face, so that the world is sideways.

"It won't take the dollar."

The dim light barely cuts across the dark. Everything is half of what it should be. Everybody in profile. One side of an unkempt beard. One shoe scraping the floor.

Anna hovers over whiskey she knows how to drink, jet black hair draped over the shine of bar. "Don't worry about it."

"No. I'll get it." But the dollar bill shoots out, floats to the sticky floor.

She swivels on the bar stool, reveals her tall lace-up boots that creep like vines up her legs, then twist up into tight black pants and a matching turtle-neck.  Her blue eyes sparkle against all the black and she is up and down and reaching over until the dollar bill vanishes and her hand brushes against the jukebox as if it is only slipping down a banister and, just like that, we are full of song.

She pushes the cool glass of whiskey into the palm of my hand. As I open my mouth to protest, she is ahead of me. As always. "Live a little Claire."

I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest- Dialogue Introduction

The I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest (the brainchild of Angie Cothran and Cassie Mae) continues. This time with dialogue.  So far, it's been a great opportunity to learn more about my characters.

Have two characters introduce each other using only dialogue—no backstory, no internalization, just dialogue between the two. Max 250 words.

I just went for it, script style.  

CLAIRE: What is this?

JEREMIAH: A painting.

CLAIRE: Like graffiti?

JEREMIAH: No... A painting.

CLAIRE: How do you get each swirl to match so perfectly?  How do you line it up?

JEREMIAH: It's in the wrist.  You have to do it quickly. Wanna try?

CLAIRE: I can't.

JEREMIAH: Of course you can.

CLAIRE:  No really.  I can't.  I'm useless.

JEREMIAH: It's easy.  Try it.

CLAIRE: Trust me.  I'll ruin it.   

JEREMIAH:  It's not like anyone'll see.  No one ever comes through.

CLAIRE:  Then why do you bother?

JEREMIAH: I like it along the canal.  It's quiet.  Still.  I can think.

CLAIRE:  Me too. It think it's beautiful.

JEREMIAH: The water's toxic, ya know.

CLAIRE: No.  Your painting.  I like it.

I'm Hearing Voices Blogfest- Characters On The Couch

Two wonderful bloggers, Angie Cothran and Cassie Mae, who always keep me smiling, came up with the I'm Hearing Voices Character Blogfest.

I immediately signed up to participate a few weeks ago.  Then I sat down to write the post, looked at the rules, and had a panic attack.  The truth is, I'm in such a weird place with my characters, the idea of bearing their souls on this blog gives me hives.

But I guess that's the point.  So here we go.

This is Anna.  She is the sister of my main character.

What is your biggest vulnerability?  Do others know this or is it a secret?

You've got to be kidding me, doc. I tell you my kryptonite while you nod and fake a scribble in that little notebook of yours?  No way.  We start on a level playing field.  

What do people believe about you that is false?

That I'm smarter than I look.  I'm just as smart as I look.

What would your best friend say is your fatal flaw?  Why?

You're really into this tragic hero thing aren't you?  I'm sorry. I'm not budging on this one. I mean, if you know how to take me down, we're just not going to have any fun here.

What would the same friend say is your one redeeming quality?  Why?

I'm loyal.  Running into burning buildings loyal.  Ya know, give my right arm kind of stuff.

What do you want most?  What will you do to get it?

There's this Bob Dylan lyric, 'Everybody will help you, discover what you set out to find.'  I want the 'what'.  Once I know that, I'll be there.  I'll take down a nun if I have to.  I'll be first one in line.