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One of the finest aspects of fiction writing is the ability to set the scene. Characters act and react, but they don't do so in a vacuum. In their world, they meet, fall in love, solve problems, sometimes horrendous problems. Maybe it's a small town, maybe the big city, the green, humid jungle, dust-dry desert, a mountainous region. On the sea. Under the sea. In space!
Setting the scene is also done by using character dialogue to paint a picture of loveliness, danger, evil, trepidation, excitement, awe...
Setting the scene is also done by using character dialogue to paint a picture of loveliness, danger, evil, trepidation, excitement, awe...
Give us six sentences that set the scene. Set the Scene in Six Sentences - Sunday is a new opportunity on the Exquisite Quills! Blog to tout your talent. How have you set the scene in your books? How have you put the reader into the life of your characters?
Every Sunday, the blog will be open to six-sentence scene-setting. Just post your six sentences, your name, and one link in the comment box. We can't wait to read you!
Pass the word! Open to all!
Pass the word! Open to all!
19 comments:
From Cybele's Angel - Erotic Horror: http://www.samcheever.com/cybelesangel.html
The cold that numbed her limbs was an entirely different chill from what she’d experienced in the dark one’s prison. The catacombs contained a damp, moldy cold that pierced the skin and infused the bones with weakness.
Cybele stood tall before the horrible creature that was sprawled over a gore-stained throne in the center of the dank cavern. She tightened her muscles against the constant desire to shiver, knowing the least sign of weakness would be her undoing.
The monster to lead all monsters held a goblet in her bony fingers, the clear outline of a skull engraved on its rusted metal surface. Blood coated her leathery lips and dribbled down her skeletal chin. A snake-like tongue whipped out to capture the precious liquid, causing Cybele’s stomach to lurch in horror.
From my upcoming Christmas release - M/M Mystery - Oh! Hoaley Night! www.declansands.com/ohhoaleynight.html
Adam remembered every sound, every smell, every feeling he’d experienced that night. It had been a cold November and it had snowed hard that day. They’d spent the day building a snow fort and then pelting the neighborhood kids from the stockpile of snowballs they’d compiled behind its walls.
They’d stumbled into the house cold and exhausted, with rosy cheeks and semi-hard dicks from the kiss Dirk had stolen in the tall evergreens at the side of the yard.
They'd taken a hot shower before dinner...even hotter than they’d expected...and it had culminated in the delicious sliding together of hot flesh in the night, as icy snow peppered the glass outside Adam’s window.
Coming November 22nd!
From IN SARAH'S SHADOW. Available now for only .99!
http://www.authorharrischanning.com/in-sarahs-shadow.html
There was a sudden howling of the wind. It raked across his deadened nerves and had him covering his ears. Damn the wilderness and her trickery, for didn't the howling sound like that of a lost soul crying out for redemption?
He shuddered and forced himself to calm. Slumping back in his chair, he glowered at his surroundings. It had been a long time since he had set foot into the cabin and used the luxuries the place provided for her.
Oh, wow, three completely different types of scenes and all with great wordage. ;-)
The sky darkened, daylight into dusk. Lanterns and candles dotting the patio flickered and sparkled. A fresh breeze wafted smells of flowering bushes from the garden to join with foods for the fiesta. Servants scurried about arranging platters of food on long, brightly draped tables. Scents of corn tamales, spicy beans and sausages, grilled fish and beef made his stomach growl and reminded him he was starving. Over the clinking sounds of bottles, glasses, and barrels of ice chunks being set up at bars spaced around the patio, birds chirped and twittered.
From an unpubbed Western
More from the unpubbed Western
A man, not young and slim like the typical dancer, began chanting the moody, quavering tones distinctive to the flamenco. The sounds saddening him, he almost turned away from the melancholy creeping through him. Then the dancers moved onto the platform, females across from males, three and three standing around very casually. The opening notes were sounded by guitar, and all six performers struck dramatic poses.
He didn’t know exactly why, but one dancer, eyes downcast, drew his gaze. Her feet slowly tapping a pulsing rhythm, she raised her ruffled skirts to above her ankles, then she hiked her skirts further, the ruffle cascading down her side.
She nodded, relaxing her shoulders.
He wished he could relieve her burden, but she was the witness. He was the cop. Why did he keep forgetting that?
The sun dappled through the trees as the silence grew. The muted traffic noise a few blocks away blended with the sounds of the river running over a fallen tree and the ducks swimming in a muddy little cove.
BAD HABIT by J.D. Faver
Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0054HKQDK
UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B0054HKQDK
CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0054HKQDK
Nook http://tinyurl.com/krczp5d
I opened my eyes to see the tangle of trees that twisted over the rutted road. Corpses of old scrub pines and oak trees. Their bent, misshapen forms looked more like demons holding hands over the landscape than the remnants of a once prolific plant life. It was like that everywhere these days. Only skeletons remained on the landscape reminding us of the grandeur of a life that no longer existed.
Most of the plant life had died during the earlier days of the nuclear winter
GRAVE DANGER, BOOK 1 BLUE STAR BABY TRIOLOGY
by Pamela Labud
TBR December 2013 on Kindle and Nook
My sentences are from THREE MOON STATION, first in the Three Moon series, published by Class Act Books. http://www.classactbooks.com/index.php/cat-romance/three-moon-station-3562013-06-14-23-09-35-detail
The first settlers to Tritomis-Two named their little encampment Zero because they were starting from nothing and building toward something.
It was still small, had a general store/Federation post office/bank, a stable, a church, a marshal’s office, and a doctor’s office, as well as something the more self-righteous citizens refered to as a Den of Temptations, a saloon. Larkin’s Place boasted good whiskey, all-night card games, and female companionship in the person of three Federation-licensed prosties who would, for the proper amount of Credits, provide any man, be he settler, brush raider, or Freedman, a brief physical enjoyment to relieve the tensions built up during long, lonely nights at a station or farm.
Other than Larkin himself, the Marshal, the doctor, and various shopkeepers, no one else lived in Zero. Farmers and station owners, along with legally hired hands and convict labor resided on their own vast acreages...
...and this was where Katy, in her rush from death, now found herself.
My scene is from Kela’s Guardian, a paranormal story about an ordinary woman whose world has taken a decidedly supernatural turn. Enjoy.
BJ McCall
Wooden stake in hand, Kela slipped into the alley. Dim lights glowed above the delivery doors of Patrick’s Tavern on the left and Pyramid Pizza to the right. Her back hugging the wall and her footfalls silent on the cracked asphalt, Kela stepped deeper into the gloomy urban canyon. She wrinkled her nose, the cloying scent of Hot Blood beating out the competing stench of urine. Her quarry was close.
Kela’s Guardian
http://www.amzn.com/B00DJ725GS
Thanks for the opportunity!
Here are six sentences from Beautiful One, my m/m release from Ellora's Cave. You can read more about the book here: http://www.ellorascave.com/beautiful-one.html
In the distance, fires twinkled on the Acropolis like tiny sparks of stars, fizzing and bursting. The Parthenon, though it had only stood for a short time, crowned the Acropolis like a golden diadem and light radiated from behind its columns. Athena smiled down from her position of guardian, high above the city.
Athens was magical. Sure, the land where he tended sheep was charming with its rusticity, but Athens held an enchantment that was unparalleled. To live in the city, attend its parties and act on its stages would be a life’s dream.
My sentences are from my newly-released Historical Romance, Daughter of Sherwood: www.laurastricklandbooks.com
Ahead, through double doors tall as two men together and thrown wide, they could see the great hall set for the King’s reception and feast. This area between measured perhaps three hundred paces by three hundred, so packed with people Sparrow could barely breathe.
Just ahead of him stood a group of squat farmers who smelt so redolent of manure it stung Sparrow’s nose. Ahead of them he saw what looked like tradesmen.
Beside Sparrow on the right stood a couple with a young child held high in the father’s arms. The tot had dimpled cheeks, shining curls, and large, solemn brown eyes that made Sparrow wonder about his own child—his and Wren’s.
From Visible Friend (m/m contemporary romance): http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=2282
First, a sharp nip as the needle broke his skin, then the faintest pop of sensation as it drove through a second wall. Chris jacked the plunger to make sure he’d spiked one… and, sure as heaven, a ghostly crimson plume swirled in slow motion into the barrel of the syringe.
It was a beautiful thing to see, all his passion reduced to this watercolor wash. The image was so powerful in its simplicity that it struck Chris as nearly divine.
His anticipation rose as his forefinger steadily lowered. He sent the plume back home, wrapped around a velvet hammer.
“Take off all your clothes and put them in this bag.” She extended a large paper sack to him. “The sheriff is going to monitor your shower.”
Mike had to chuckle at the offhand manner she assumed. “Do men always strip for you on command?”
She gazed up at him solemnly. “Only when they smell like you do.”
Mike wanted to tell her how hard he’d worked to achieve his stench. He gave her another long look before starting to remove the layers of clothing disguising his lean, muscled body. She stood by the door and opened it a crack. He noted with some satisfaction that she appeared a bit nervous when he stripped off his undershirt and stood before her in his briefs.
The tall Hispanic officer stepped through the doorway and spoke to the deputy. “Thanks, Deputy Calhoun. You’re relieved now.”
Mike stifled a smirk when he read the relief evident on her face. Too cute.
The male officer pointed to his briefs. “Those too.” He held out the paper bag.
Mike glanced up to see the pretty deputy stride toward the door. He stepped out of his last item of clothing just as she swept him with her gaze. She colored prettily before averting her eyes and rushing out. He tried not to laugh as he deposited his briefs in the bag with the rest of his garments
Mike stepped under the stream of water wishing he could drag Deputy Calhoun into the shower with him.
BAD VIBES
Amazon US http://www.amazon.com/dp/B009LYM3ZQ
Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B009LYM3ZQ
Amazon CA https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B009LYM3ZQ
Sorry that was longer than six sentences, but it was a special request. <3 <3 <3
Well, dang! Get to it and get this published. *hugs*
Haha, special request by me. I should penalize you for going longer, but I won't. ;-)
I don't have time to put a 6 up today, but I'd just like to say these are great!
I laughed out loud on a couple of these. Great teasers. (I'm in the same boat with Rose...not going to get 6 sentences up today.) ;-)
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