The Magic 8 Ball MeMe

I was honored to be tagged by Julie DeGuia in the Magic 8 Ball MeMe.  Thanks Julie!

The rules are:
1. Post the button and link to Jaycee deLorenzo (following would be nice, but not required).  Jaycee was the creator of the Magic 8 Ball MeMe

2. Share an excerpt from your current WIP, perhaps something you're struggling with, are stuck on, or just can't "get right." 

3. Ask a question about your excerpt. It can be something easy such as "What do you think?" or something more in-depth, such as "Can you suggest a better way to word such-and-such," or "How can I make the emotions in this scene more realistic?"



4. Tag 8 people.


I have to admit I've never shared any excerpts from my WIPs before.  I'm nervous!!!
I started my first novel a couple months ago and ran into a dead end.  While waiting for inspiration, I started 2 others with new ideas that came to me.  Currently, I seem to be bouncing between the 3 with whatever I come up with.  


This is an excerpt from the first story which takes place in a small mountain town in NC.  Josie just graduated from college and is working at a diner in her home town over the summer because she can't find a job.  Rick is the nephew of a local, Tom, who is in town for the summer to help renovate an old lodge in town.

“Good morning”, Josie called as non-chalantly as she could when she heard the bells ring on the door.  Her pulse began racing.  Tom and Rick walked in and headed to the corner booth.  Now, she could see why everyone in town seemed to be talking about Rick.  He was gorgeous!  

Josie had to concentrate to keep her knees from knocking out of control as she took each step towards their booth.
“What can I get for ya?” she forced, trying to calm herself down by first asking Tom. 


 “I’ll just have the special today”, Tom answered, looking up at her with a slight smile.    He seemed to find it amusing that she was losing control.

Rick, however, didn't seem surprised by her reaction.  He was apparently used to being admired.  She usually hated guys like Rick, full of conceit, but there was something about the way he looked at her that sent her over the edge.  Those green eyes sparkled, bringing out his tan, marking the hours he must have spent on the beach.  Under his t-shirt, she also noticed every rip of his muscles.  

What am I doing?, Josie thought, feeling a bit stupid.  TAKE HIS ORDER!, she demanded herself.

“And for you?” she asked, voice shaking as she looked at Rick.

“I’ll have the same”, he said gently, looking up at her.  For that second, she immediately got lost in those beautiful eyes.  She felt as if she had to physically pull her eyes away from him.

“Coming right up”, she said, stumbling as she moved back to wobble back to the kitchen.

Can you feel the tension come across between them?  Do you have any suggestions?

And now, I am going to tag...


Andrea Teagan at The Enchanted Writer

Suzanne Furness at The Word is...


Laura at My Baffling Brain


Laura at Stranger Than Writing

Crystal at The Heart of a Writer


Loralie Hall at Apathy's Hero


Tonja at Tonja's Musings