WeWriWa: Pick a Side

Sometimes forced down time is the best time to get inspiration flowing. During a four- hour (!) layover in Chicago on my way to the Tucson Book Festival, from 6-10 am, I pulled out my laptop in the Cubs Bar at O’Hare over a really good breakfast and a gallon of coffee to get up close and personal with Rico Terriot in my next book in the “House of Terriot” shape-shifter series. PRINCE OF FOOLS may be his nickname, but Rico is nobody’s fool when it comes to laying it on the line, which is what he finds himself doing in this scene at a somewhat seedier bar than I was in, down in New Orleans where he’s being courted for his talent as a warrior by the locals.

“You stood for us against your family . . . why would you do that?” 

“Just because we share the name doesn’t mean we all agree on our intentions.” 

“Which are?” 

“Have you met us?” Rico laughed. “We tend to think we can use, buy, take or control everything we see to our best advantage. Your location is a transportation advantage, a crossroads to our territory and a water highway into that of our enemies. My brother may speak a good line about for the good of all, but what it comes down to is for the good of our people, same with the Guedrys. If this becomes a battleground, none of us are going to protect you over our interests, that’s all I’m saying. You need to protect your own.” 

“Show us how.”

The game’s afoot and the stakes are high for our hero in this chance to prove himself to his clan, his lady love (once he realizes that’s what she is!) . . . and mostly to himself. I’m approaching the end of the first quarter (of the book) and the ball is in his hands. Let’s hope he doesn’t fumble.

Where have you found unexpected writing time in the strangest of places?

Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.

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