Hanging up Cadence sat for a minute then walked out to find Detective Conner. She had to get him to trust her without him finding out what she was up to or else he was going to be in the way. Should be easy enough, just like she said earlier. She found him in the main room of the house down stairs. He was talking to another agent when she walked in.
“Hey, Nick, do you have a minute?” Turn on the charm, she said to herself.
“Sure,” he replied then turned to the agent and said, “Excuse me for a moment.”
They walked out to the porch again and Cadence sat down on the swing motioning for him to join her.
“Is everything okay with your room,” he asked.
“The room is fine. I need to ask you a very big favor,” she said.
“Uh, okay.” He wasn’t sure what that favor could be, but was certain he’d do it for her anyway.
“I have to leave to meet with someone.”
She couldn’t be serious. She actually expected him to let her leave unescorted and trust her to come back?
Before he could answer she added, “It’s my informant for the story I’m investigating. I can’t stay here in hiding when I have work to do. Detective Connors, Nick, you’ve read my file. You know I can take care of myself, and I’ll be back before supper.” She smiled sweetly at him thinking if her honesty didn’t work then her charm might.
“You’ve got to be kidding me?” he said this to himself, but she heard him loud and clear.
“I had a feeling you wouldn’t go for it so I’m apologizing in advance,” and with that she stood up as if to walk away then quickly turned and kicked him square in the jaw with the heel of her boot. He went down easy enough alright, out cold.
“Damn, that’s going to leave a mark,” she said.
“Bloody hell, Cadence,” came her cousin’s voice from behind. “Did you have to do that?”
“Where have you been,” she asked as she eased Nick down in the swing and propped his legs up. “Everyone’s meeting me in less than an hour and I need you to keep an eye on him.”
“I know, I know,” Bastion said rolling his eyes. “I still don’t see why you couldn’t just sneak out, or tell him and bring him along. He’s one of the good guys remember?”
“You know why. If I recall you almost lost your life when you found out,” she said to him in a softer tone.
He shrugged his shoulders and replied, “I’m here now aren’t I?”
“Yeah,” she smiled. “Don’t let him out of your site for at least two hours. I know he’ll come looking for me and I know you’ll be dragged along to help so throw him off track as much as you can.”
“Off to see the wizard, are you?” Bastion chuckled. He knew she could take care of herself, but it also scared the hell out of him that she did.
“I won’t be back any time soon so take care,” she said as she leaned over and gave him a hug.
“Will you be in touch at least?”
“At least.” Smiling she walked off the porch, ‘borrowed’ Detective Conner’s car, and drove away.
****
Nick almost fell off of the swing before catching hold of the chain that held it up. He winced at the pain in his jaw. Easing himself to sit up he rubbed his hand over the soreness and saw Bastion sitting next to him in a chair.
“Well it’s about time sleepy head,” he mused shaking his head.
“Where is she?” he growled.
“If you mean my very loving and truly apologetic cousin,” he replied, “she’s still out and about.”
“She has some explaining to do,” Nick growled again as he started to stand up.
“Well she’ll have to do it when she gets back. You won’t find her no matter how hard you look and I can guess you will.”
“Damn right I will,” he said then added, “and you’re going to help me.”
“What the bloody hell can I do? She hasn’t told me anything.”
“Bastion, you and I go way back. I know you better than that.”
“Nick, old chum, I’m stretching my neck here for Cadence. If I add you to the mix I’m in deep again.”
“What do you mean again? This is one of her disappearing acts Brenner was talking about, isn’t it?”
“She’s not coming home any time soon so you might want to put some ice on that nasty bump and we’ll wait a bit. Maybe I can fill you in on the past year while you brood.”
“I don’t brood, and I’ll be damned if I sit here waiting for her when she could be in serious danger.” He stood up, winced, then turned to Bastion and said, “You’re coming with me.”
“Alright, Nick, but I’m warning you,” Bastion hesitated, “you’re not going to like what you find.”
“Care to give me a hint?”
“Not on your life,” Bastion replied smiling. “Pack your bags for cold weather, old chum. It’s gets rather nippy where we’re headed.”
“Why, has hell frozen over?”
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Shout Out
Here's a birthday shout out to my fellow STAR, Kristen Painter:
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
To view the wit and womance, er, romance this YOUNG lady writes you can view her blog at Kristen Painter's Divalicious Blog
Go wish her a Happy Birthday. No really, go, there's nothing more to see here.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
To view the wit and womance, er, romance this YOUNG lady writes you can view her blog at Kristen Painter's Divalicious Blog
Go wish her a Happy Birthday. No really, go, there's nothing more to see here.
Friday, May 15, 2009
When To Kill A Character
Ever have a character you don't know what to do with after a certain chapter? Maybe they were an integral part of the beginning, but lost their purpose as the story evolved. You can't go back and delete them without having to change too many details that are necessary, but you can't move forward with them either. What do you do?
So far I've come up with the following:
So far I've come up with the following:
- Have something traumatic happen to them to increase the conflict of the story (i.e. accident/coma/terminal illness).
- Have them move (make up a short back story of a long lost relative that needs them).
- Kill them off.
I write characters. I should know how to delete them. How do you get rid of your characters when they can no longer be written?
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Knock, Knock
This is the dialogue I had in my dream last night with my manuscript:
MANNY (it's nickname in my dream): Knock, knock.
ME: Who's there?
MANNY: Menu.
ME: Menu who?
MANNY: Menu really need to finish writing me!
This morning I woke up, laughed it off, then while I was getting money for my coffee I found a sticky note in my wallet with contest info scribbled next to the title of my manuscript.
*sigh* You know it's bad when your dreams start telling you've been slacking on your writing.
What's in your wallet?
MANNY (it's nickname in my dream): Knock, knock.
ME: Who's there?
MANNY: Menu.
ME: Menu who?
MANNY: Menu really need to finish writing me!
This morning I woke up, laughed it off, then while I was getting money for my coffee I found a sticky note in my wallet with contest info scribbled next to the title of my manuscript.
*sigh* You know it's bad when your dreams start telling you've been slacking on your writing.
What's in your wallet?
Sunday, May 10, 2009
Celebrate
No tradition is more precious than celebrating Mothers. I'm one of the lucky ones that grew up with a loving but strict mother who instilled manners, the fear of God, and meaning of family in us at a tender age. She was a single mom with three rowdy kids. Money was tight, but she never let us know it. She was lonely but never showed it. Often getting in trouble, as kids in the country will with nothing to do, she was quick to discipline but even quicker to love. I wouldn't change a thing about my childhood as it is part of who I am today. I often look over my shoulder to see where that voice came from as I bestow the same wisdom (or yell at them for being destructive) on my boys as she did me and my siblings. I love you Momma, and I hope today is as wonderful as all the days you have given us. Happy Mother's Day.
In honor of mothers everywhere that heal boo boos, wipe tears, hug tight, kiss goodnight, and always know when to let us take flight...this is for you.
Twenty Things My Mother Taught Me:
1. My mother taught me to APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me about RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me about LOGIC. "Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me about FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
6. My mother taught me about IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
7. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
8. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks like a tornado went through it."
9. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
10. My mother taught me about the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
11. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father!"
12. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
13. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home."
14. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when you get home!"
15. My mother taught me about MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."
16. My mother taught me about ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you'll be cold?"
17. My mother taught me about HUMOR. "When that lawnmower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
18. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
19. My mother taught me about GENETICS. "You're just like your father."
20. My mother taught me about WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
In honor of mothers everywhere that heal boo boos, wipe tears, hug tight, kiss goodnight, and always know when to let us take flight...this is for you.
Twenty Things My Mother Taught Me:
1. My mother taught me to APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE. "If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."
2. My mother taught me about RELIGION. "You better pray that will come out of the carpet."
3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL. "If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me about LOGIC. "Because I said so, that's why."
5. My mother taught me about FORESIGHT. "Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."
6. My mother taught me about IRONY. "Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about."
7. My mother taught me about STAMINA. "You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."
8. My mother taught me about WEATHER. "This room of yours looks like a tornado went through it."
9. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY. "If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
10. My mother taught me about the CIRCLE OF LIFE. "I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."
11. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION. "Stop acting like your father!"
12. My mother taught me about ENVY. "There are millions of children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."
13. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION. "Just wait until we get home."
14. My mother taught me about RECEIVING. "You are going to get it when you get home!"
15. My mother taught me about MEDICAL SCIENCE. "If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to freeze that way."
16. My mother taught me about ESP. "Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you'll be cold?"
17. My mother taught me about HUMOR. "When that lawnmower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."
18. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT. "If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll never grow up."
19. My mother taught me about GENETICS. "You're just like your father."
20. My mother taught me about WISDOM. "When you get to be my age, you'll understand."
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Live, Laugh, Love
The past few days have been a mixture of emotions for friends and family. Some of the events that took place had nothing to do with one another other than the fact that I knew a part of each one.
Live: When death faces us directly or indirectly we often wish we had more time, had told those we love just how much, had done things that we now regret not doing.
Laugh: We forget to laugh out loud, afraid of doing so, but laughter really is the best medicine.
Love: We often forget to say 'I Love You' to those that matter most because we are too busy making a living.
Just for a moment slow down and look around you. If you can find even one thing to be thankful for cherish it. Tell those you love that you love them, hug them a little tighter, laugh a little louder, and in doing all of this you might just live a little happier ;o)
Live: When death faces us directly or indirectly we often wish we had more time, had told those we love just how much, had done things that we now regret not doing.
Laugh: We forget to laugh out loud, afraid of doing so, but laughter really is the best medicine.
Love: We often forget to say 'I Love You' to those that matter most because we are too busy making a living.
Just for a moment slow down and look around you. If you can find even one thing to be thankful for cherish it. Tell those you love that you love them, hug them a little tighter, laugh a little louder, and in doing all of this you might just live a little happier ;o)
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