As those of you who have been following this blog (and the one before this one) know, I've been working on the same novel for about 8 years. Obviously, there were times within those 8 years that I hardly touched it due to school or work, but the story meant enough to me to keep writing. Finally, about two years ago, I completed my first draft. Now I'm trying desperately to revise and prepare it for submission.
And as most of you writers know, this month is
Nanowrimo, or National Novel Writing Month. But instead of making a goal to write a new novel, my new goal is to revise a chapter of my novel a day. This means 30 chapters* before December! And because my novel is technically 43 chapters (which is going to change--I promise), that means I'll almost be done with the 2nd draft by the end of the month! I'm excited and ready to meet this goal!
Now what you've all been waiting for: a sneak peek of my novel! I'm always having people ask me what my novel is about, so here is just a few paragraphs (about a page double spaced) of my story to give you a feel for it. No, this hasn't been edited; in fact, I just wrote this part a few days ago, so please forgive any errors you might find--I know it's far from perfect! Just as a note, this sneak peek begins a few pages into my novel as well, so this is not how it starts. But it should give you somewhat of an idea of what my novel is about (or foreshadowing what it's going to be about). Enjoy! And don't forget: I always appreciate comments and feedback, especially about my writing, so please don't hesitate to tell me what you think (please, please, please!)
For months, the peach orchard was Leah’s only solace after her father died. Now, with the burden of attending the Harvest Festival at the forefront of her mind, Leah went to the first tree still laden with fruit, took off her shoes, and began to climb. The branches carried her weight as if she were one of them, and the peaches fit inside the palm of her hand like a mold as she began to pick. Even the velvet skin no longer tickled her hand as it did as a child, but felt soft and familiar. Using her apron like a bowl, Leah gently placed the ripe peaches inside. The fruit felt warm under the late summer sun, and the smell of nectar filled the air and calmed any of her lingering nerves.
Life in the orchard was simple and, really, the only life Leah knew. She was born in a small cottage on the northern edge of Dale’s property, and because her mother had died three weeks after her birth, she had lived there with her father until he passed away. From her tree, Leah could still see the straw-thatched roof of the cottage, which was nearly hidden by trees. She could also see most of Dale’s land, including the gray-stoned manor house where she now lived and the mote that snaked around the southern side before disappearing into the woods. There was the vegetable garden, the stables, the cottages, and the wheat fields, all surrounded thick forests that Leah had explored long ago.
Leah could also see the castle in the east, and her eyes focused on it as they often did as a child. It was only a speck in the distance, but the light stone stood out among the green hill and dark trees as it looked over the town below. The manor was a beautiful home, yet her father had described something much grander after returning from delivering peaches to the royal family. He even explained that the stone castle was built in the very center of Odelle to represent the strength found at the core of the kingdom and its people. Leah especially loved hearing stories about the prince, who was only a few years older than her and almost as fond of peaches.
A wave of longing spread through her entire body just as it had years ago. For years, Leah dreamed about seeing it up close; now, in less than a day’s time, she would be standing in the castle’s shadows. She could hear Dale’s words replaying in her mind, and for the first time, she wanted to taste whatever happiness awaited her at the Harvest Festival, beyond the orchard.
(2011 Copyright of Allison Mathews)
*For those clever folks out there reading this and remembering that last month I promised to complete the first 5 chapters of my novel (meaning I should be starting my Nanowrimo goal at chapter 6), I'm sad to say I only got through the first chapter of my novel in October. It was mostly due to getting a new job, as well as the fact that I wasn't actually revising my first chapter; I was completely re-writing it. But I'm hoping to keep make my goal this month and so far, so good!
