WIP Unplugged
19 Aug
I have company this week, so I’m mostly unplugged. Just dropping in to report on the madness. Which is to say, the current progress on The Resurrectionists, my (triple) love story with lots of guts and zombies and things thrown in at odd intervals.
56392 / 80000 words. 70% done!
And that’s why this week was a little bit mad. But now that I have fun writerly company, all shall be well.
For this excerpt we return to Team Idiot– Paul and Tommy– having a late night in the dissecting theater. This is what happens when my I’m buying tickets for Kennedy Center events between writing scenes one day:
“Then I shall procure your experimental pig,” Paul said. And there it was, all very simple.
He was about to suggest they return home—the hour was advanced enough that Hannah might worry for him—but was interrupted by an idea. He faced Tom over the dissection table and its decaying cargo. “Dartmoor’s promised to see The Marriage of Figaro in our box this Saturday. Won’t you come with us? If you talk to him yourself, I think you’ll see what a help he’d be.”
Tom raised his eyebrows and pulled the sheet back over the dead man’s soon-to-be-anatomized skull. “You know, Paul, I’m not much for the opera. But I do make an exception for Mozart.”
As you should, Tommy, as you should. Nothing facilitates mad science like a little quality time at the theater. And enjoy that Experimental Pig, my friend. (Not sure why I left that line in there, except that it looks even more ridiculous than it actually is out of context. Sorry.)
You’re storming along. It must have felt great to buzz past the 50,000 mark.
I liked the part about the pig, even if it was accidental. I enjoy how you can mold the dialogue into “that 19th century talk.” Have you read a lot of books set in that era?
I prefer Stravinsky, myself.
I’m a Rachmaninoff man, myself – but I’ll sit in rapt awe for almost anything classical.
Excellent progress. Well done, and you now have my permission to pop out and congratulate yourself with a little something for being so good. Only something small, like a chocolate doughnut, or your favourite milkshake. Save the bigger rewards for when the first draft is complete.
Cate, it really, really did. Thanks!
Alan, I do read a lot of things that take place in the weird Georgian/Regency mire (I think I finally decided on 1825-26 for this, so I’m very near the end), but it’s not enough. That’s one thing that, though fun, I’m working hardest to improve right now. Help from friends and more reading and maybe I’ll get close eventually. Thanks for the encouragement!
Nat, you know, I think Tommy would too. He was born about a hundred years before his time, poor thing.
BT, I do love Rachmaninoff, no complaints here– alas, like Mr. Stravinsky, poor Tommy never gets to hear him. I love your suggestion of a small treat for the progress and a big one for the finish. I do believe I will take that advice
Wow. I bow to your word count.
And this line:
“Then I shall procure your experimental pig…”
Just popped in from Natalie’s blog to say rent Death Note! (Both of them.) I had no idea that you were a fan of cute men in eyeliner. May I just say “Mmmm.”
I positively ADORE men in eyeliner! Thanks for the rec, Mercedes, and for popping in.