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Sunday, December 8, 2013

Set the Scene in Six Sentences - Sunday






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...

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!

7 comments:

Rose Anderson said...

Today my 6 comes from Star of Wonder, my sweet short story from the Exquisite Quills Holiday Anthology Vol. 1. Get your FREE copy today https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/374815

In this scene Marianne and Joe have just had their breakfast. Joe reads the Farmer’s Almanac and Marianne senses a big change in the weather. Not good news today of all days.
……………………………………………………………………

She went to wash dishes, and out of the blue recalled she'd seen a bright reddish orange sunrise yesterday morning. Her woman's intuition said a bad storm was coming but Joe had traveling to do today. Pointing to the booklet in his hand, she asked, "I know it's just a prediction, but what does it say about the weather today?"

"Prediction is right, we've seen storms when the Almanac said none, and clear skies when it said rain. Hmm, let's see… December 24th 1936… clear skies."

She wiped her hands on the towel and looked out the window at the stormy
gray sky.
……………………………………………………………………
Find my scorching love stories in ebook and paperback wherever books are sold and at http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B004XDGWL6. Read FREE chapter samplings. Get it here:
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/333971

janeleopoldquinn.blogspot.com said...

From my Siren short, erotic M/F, Mercenary Desires...

Rowdy Pierce confirmed the girl’s location when he heard her terrified screams. He shattered the rickety wooden door of the wattle and daub hut with a kick from his size twelve and a half boot. In the flickering light of an old-fashioned kerosene lamp, the young woman flailed her arms and legs at the man on top of her. He dove across the dim room, yanked the bastard off her, and without a second thought, slit his throat, dumping the son of a bitch face down into the dust. When he turned back to the woman, she’d scrambled to a sitting position against the wall, wrapping her arms around her drawn up knees to cover herself. She stared up at him with a wide-eyed look of horror and revulsion, and he didn’t blame her for that.

http://amzn.to/ZfMXNN

Jacqueline Seewald said...

This from the beginning of THE CHEVALIER, my new prize-winning sensual historical novel:
http://steamereads.com.au/product/the-chevalier/

London
October 1745

"Mon Dieu, what a breathtakingly handsome man!" Madeline de Marnay hastily clamped a slender hand over her mouth aware that her impetuously blurted words had been most inappropriate. She was guilty of a faux pas, especially serious considering she was the child of a diplomat. Hadn't she observed Papa's artfulness on many occasions? How could she be so lacking in subtlety? How embarrassed Papa would have been.

Savanna Kougar said...

Good morning, this is from RED LIONESS TAMED, my sci fi erotic romance novella.

Escape was her only fracken choice. Escape how?
If he orbited or docked at a port, she doubted it would be long enough to successfully elude him. Further, if he space-ran under the sensors of other vessels, how did she communicate distress?
Her only viable option seemed to be learning his craft, the operations – seize any opportunity fate fish-threw her way.
Fate owed her that large plump fish.

To read Chapter One, and for the buy links, go to: http://savannakougar.blogspot.com/p/red-lioness-tamed.html

K. Z. Snow said...

This scene is from The Prayer Waltz, an m/m contemporary romance published by Dreamspinner Press -- http://www.dreamspinnerpress.com/store/product_info.php?products_id=1742

* * *

The sacred and profane, facing off across a nearly empty street in a big small town.

I stood on the sidewalk before St. Jerome’s Church, which put me closer to the good guys. Snow thinly coated its tier of steps like diamond dust. Not a single footprint darkened the sparkle; not a sound came from within. Light bloomed softly through the stained glass windows.

Purity.

Kitty-corner across the road, Jim’s Harmony Bar glowed a neon welcome through the bitter-fresh air. The snow before its humble door looked scarred. Jukebox tunes and raised voices seeped
through its walls.

Sins of the flesh.

Blinking against drifting flakes, I glanced at the sky. Where should I go first? Stars pricked through a darkness that was skin-lapping close yet fading-memory far…like Frank himself.

J.D. Faver said...

From: A SANDCASTLE CHRISTMAS:
http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00GWRQ95K

Rafael rode with the window open. The cold Gulf air brought his senses fully awake. He didn’t turn on the siren, but relied on the flashing lights to warn people of his coming. No sense disturbing the peace when no other cars were on the road anyway. In a matter of minutes, he turned and slowed to scan the area known as Children’s Beach. He spotted another official vehicle ahead with lights flashing. Adriano.
He felt a sense of relief that one of his best men was present. He cruised up beside Adriano’s car and turned off the ignition. Pocketing the keys, he swung out.
“Hey, Boss!” Adriano called. “Fisherman spotted a floater. A woman.” He took a wide stance and fisted his hands at his waist. “Germaine is on his way with some gear.”
Rafael nodded, a little knot twisting in his gut. He knew what kind of ‘gear’ Germaine would bring. “Where is she?”
Adriano pointed out to the water, where a dark mass appeared to be floating. It was barely visible in the early morning hours. Adriano shown his flashlight onto the water and delineated the mass. Indeed an arm extended from the body.
“Damn!” Rafael heaved out a disgusted sigh, his breath forming a cloud around his face. Angry that a life had been taken. Angry that a crime had been committed. Hoping he didn’t recognize her.
Adriano looked grim, as well. The big deputy had a strong sense of right and wrong and took enormous offense when a woman or child was the victim.
It was growing lighter to the east. Long fingers of purple and salmon stretched across the broad expanse of black sky.
A motor could be heard and momentarily. Soon, a boat belonging to the Fire Department Search and Rescue team came toward them.
Rafael was relieved to see his friend, Javier, at the helm with Germaine pointing the way. Javi wore his wetsuit. Apparently, he was prepared to go in the water.
Rafael glanced at Adriano, whose face was set in a grim façade, masking the emotions he might be feeling.

B.J. McCall said...

This scene is from WOLF RUN (a Santa's Helpers Christmas book) by B.J. McCall

Cade Winter stepped out of the ranger office and approached the vintage red pickup.

The driver, wearing a Santa hat and sporting a long, white beard, rolled down the window. “Merry Christmas, Officer. I need to get to Ridgetop. A slide has closed the highway, and I’d like to use your road.”

There were only two ways to reach the small town of Ridgetop, the state highway or the road that ran through pack land.

WOLF RUN
http://www.amzn.com/B00BEJPJ0M