Excerpt Monday – How to Survive Anything
14 Dec 2009 18 Comments
in Excerpt Monday, HTSA, Writing Projects Tags: Excerpt Monday, HTSA, Writing Projects
Once a month, a bunch of authors get together and post excerpts from published books, contracted work or works in progress, and link to each other. You don’t have to be published to participate–just a writer with an excerpt you’d like to share. For more info on how to participate, head over to the Excerpt Monday site! or click on the banner above.
How To Survive Anything – Women’s Ficton
Excerpt:
My mother is the queen of multi-tasking. When I got into the car after my latest treatment, my mother was simultaneously on her cell phone and giving orders to my older sister Irene. I eased into the backseat, with the help of Irene, still nauseous and dizzy from the treatment. Mom has taken her to be her personal flunky since Irene took a leave from work after my cancer diagnosis.
“Make sure the photographer uses a warm gel, maybe some pink to get across the theme.” My mother said into the phone before turning to my sister, “Make sure Natalie has a decent suit something in blush or coral, pinkish but not overtly so. And since Derrick is insisting on being at Jeremy’s arraignment. Make sure he is sober, clean and has a proper fitting suit. It’s bad enough we have to go through this. We don’t need him casting another black mark over us.”
I closed my eyes, tried to block out my mother’s voice. All I wanted was to go back to the house and rest.
“Sit up Natalie and put on some makeup. Do something with your hair. You’re going to have to get yourself together and presentable for the photos.”
“Photos?”
“Yes. I told you we had a lot to do today. Posters for the benefit, you’re lucky your treatment didn’t interfere with my schedule.”
I bit back a laugh. Or it could have been nauseau. It was hard to tell with my mother. I was the one with breast cancer and she had made it about her, and the family, as usual.
“Links to other Excerpt Monday writers”
Note: I have not personally screened these excerpts. Please heed the ratings and be aware that the links may contain material that is not typical of my site.
Joining us this week:
The Excerpt Monday hosts:
Alexia Reed, Urban Fantasy (R)
Bria Quinlan, Rom Com (PG13)
Kaige, Historical Romance (PG13)
Jeannie Lin, Contemporary (PG13)
RF Long, Fantasy Sword and Sorcery (PG13)
Shawntelle Madison, Paranormal Romance (PG13)
Debbie Mumford, Flash Fiction (PG13)
Jo Lynne Valerie, Paranormal Romance (PG 13)
Kendal Ashby, Erotic Contemporary (R)
KB Alan, Erotic Paranormal Romance (R)
Penny Dune, Romantic Suspense (R)
Cate Hart, YA Paranormal (R)
Inez Kelley, Contemporary Romance (R)
Jeannete Murray, RomCom (R)
Christa Page, Regency Paranormal (R)
Michelle Picard, Paranormal (R)
Jeanne St James, Erotic Rom M/M (R)
Danielle Yockman, Historical Romance (R)
Sara Brookes, Fantasy (NC17)
Emily Ryan Davis, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Ella Drake, Erotic SciFi Romance (NC17)
Angeleque Ford, Erotic Contemporary Romance (NC17)
Jamal W Hankins, Dark Fiction/Fantasy (NC17)
Bryl R Tyne, Transgender M/M (NC17)
Dec 14, 2009 @ 08:24:56
Great start. Cancer can be a very difficult subject to do well. Good luck with it!
Dec 14, 2009 @ 09:49:54
Very interesting excerpt with some lovely character insights.
Nice Danie
Dec 14, 2009 @ 10:11:41
I LOVE this line: “I bit back a laugh. Or it could have been nauseau. It was hard to tell with my mother.”
Great stuff, definitely compelling. I think we all know a mother like this in real life. Very relatable. Nice work!
Dec 14, 2009 @ 10:25:49
Ooo! I wanted to b*tch slap her. Ouch. That sucks. You pull wonderful emotion. Thanks for sharing.
Dec 14, 2009 @ 13:20:01
Wow! Talk about Mommy dearest. In just a few words, you’ve painted a wonderful picture of their dysfunctional mother-daughter relationship. Great job!
Dec 14, 2009 @ 20:00:10
Evil mommy! Love the line “Yes. I told you we had a lot to do today. Posters for the benefit, you’re lucky your treatment didn’t interfere with my schedule.”
Great excerpt.
Dec 15, 2009 @ 09:55:59
Wow, like the others the same line resonated with me:
“Yes. I told you we had a lot to do today. Posters for the benefit, you’re lucky your treatment didn’t interfere with my schedule.”
Thanks for posting.
Dec 16, 2009 @ 07:51:41
Nicely done. I don’t like her mom already and it only took a few paragraphs.
Dec 17, 2009 @ 12:59:27
Ugh. I know a woman like that. She wouldn’t even take her dog to the vet if it interfered with her schedule. Lots of interesting and layered conflicts you’ve got going here, Danie!