777 Writing Challenge ... of sorts

I was tagged for the 777 Writing Challenge by Tricia Mingerink a long ago ... and now just recently, tagged for something similar by Kenzie Morganthal. So I decided I should get around to doing it! *grins*

Since both tags have a little different instructions, and I just recently started my WIP (work-in-progress), I’m just going to do things my own way and share the first seven or so opening lines.

(Click on the links above if you want to read the original instructions for either challenge).

Now, first, some backstory! A lot of you know that I wrote a fantasy novel called, Silver Rose … and that the sequel, Diamond Dark , wasn’t coming along very well. 30,000+ words in, and I was despising it! Some ideas I liked; but I was mostly feeling as if I were forcing out the words. So, I let it sit for a while. And after much thought, I decided to try something. Rewrite it. Change the main, main character. And even the title.

Behold, the opening lines of Diamond's Quest:

"TODAY I WAS ripped from Mother’s arms by royal guards and forcibly escorted to King Black’s castle. I never once caught a glimpse of the king himself, but rather was shown to a group of silent maids and stayed with them for nearly the rest of the day.

     They bathed me (never minding my wild protest), almost scrubbing the skin off my body—as if they couldn’t stand the sweet smell of the lemon perfume Mother makes. My hair was braided into many small braids and pinned up in a severe manner that I am not used to. They heavily outlined my eyes with black kohl and stained my lips blood red. That, along with the garish pink gown they dressed me in, shocked me when I surveyed myself in the looking-glass. The dark make-up makes me look freakish . . . considering am I fair-skinned with pale blonde hair and light green eyes."

Copyright © by Shantelle Mary Hannu

(Diamond's Quest ~ CALLED TO LIGHT #2)

~ Inspiration for my new main character, Arella ~

******************

So there’s that.

Just to let you all know, I am supremely happy! And so excited about this! ^_^ Truly, not being able to write/hating one’s story is really hard on a writer! When I can’t write, a little part of me just feels really empty.

     Yesterday I attempted to write on my dystopian tale. But I just read what I had so far and left it at that. Later, I was sitting in my room, just hurting. I was crying; and crying out in my heart: “I can’t write, God. I don’t understand. I want to write again.” I felt really terrible.

     Then, an hour or so later, I was suddenly inspired. I’m going to re-write this story. And use a different heroine. And change the title! *grins* I went on a lovely boat ride and wrote down notes like crazy. Got back and wrote 2,000+ words. Just pure JOY flowing through me. I’m writing. And I’m loving it. No forcing words here! ^__^

     Now I have 4,386 words. So ... we’ll see how it goes! Maybe I just needed to focus on less POV characters, and largely on one I understood more. I’m hoping for the best!

I’m thinking of alternatively working on Diamond's Quest and my dystopian story. We’ll see what happens.

As for tagging: Deborah O’Carroll // JayeL. Knight // Hannah Williams // Claire Banschbach //

…And I can’t really think anymore right now. Haha. But anyone else reading this and wanting to do this, consider yourself tagged! ^_^

(All pictures found on Pinterest)