Help Meljean Eat Bon-Bons, Save the Future, and Win a Prize!
So I was reading Justin Cronin’s THE PASSAGE (quite entertaining, by the way), and there is a post-apocalyptic section of the story set in the future. In that section, there is a woman reading a romance novel published in 2014 by Jordanna Mixon, called BELLE OF THE BALL. It includes a heroine named Charlene DeFleur, and a dashing hero (complete with muttonchop sideburns) named Mr. Talbot Carver. And the book itself is described in part, including an author photo depicting a dark-haired woman lounging around on lacy pillows and wearing a little hat. And I thought:
OMG, I want that author to be me.
Because even though some authors lounge around in satin pajamas, eating bon bons and such, I’m more of a wear-my-sweats-and-drink-coffee-until-I-jitter type. But I really, really, REALLY want to be like Jordanna Mixon … and by 2014, I think I can.
My plan is simple: I’m going to write BELLE OF THE BALL, and become Jordanna Mixon. Look, I’ve even made up a cover!
(Ignore the spelling mistake in the title, and the anachronistic clothing. I didn’t hire an editor or a cover artist, and so this is what you’re stuck with.)
But here’s the problem: I don’t have time to write this book by 2014. See, I kind of agreed to write three more steampunk books, and that will keep me busy into 2013 … and I’m just not quick enough of a writer to squeeze in a Jordanna Mixon book by the end of the year. And this book NEEDS to be written — the post-apocalyptic future depends on it!
So this is where you come in!
Help me write this book, one sentence (or two) at a time. We’ll start from the excerpt provided in THE PASSAGE:
“Why, if it isn’t Mr. Talbot Carver,” exclaimed Charlene DeFleur, descending the stairs in her long rustling ball gown, her eyes wide in an expression of frank alarm at the sight of the tall, broad-shouldered man standing in the hallway in his dusty riding breeches, the fabric smoothly taut against his virile form. “What ever could you intend, coming here while my father is away?”
So, ahem. What ever [sic] could he intend? (Feel free to make it racy, but let’s stay away from four-letter words and go for purple prose, instead. In this case, a throbbing love-lance is sorely needed.)
For every sentence/entry/comment you add before midnight on Wednesday, December 22nd, 2010 you’ll be entered to win a $35 gift certificate at the bookstore of your choice (or the equivalent, if you are international.) It’s open to everyone, and I’ll announce the winner next Thursday, December 23rd.
You can add more than one comment — and the more you contribute, the better your chances of winning!
Hero: Mr. Talbot Carver
Heroine: Charlene DeFleur
Setting: the South, just before the Civil War, I think
