Sunday, October 20, 2013

Weekend Writing Warriors #37!

Goooooood morning! Today's an especially happy Sunday for me, but I'll get to that shortly. First, let's talk story! 

Here's the premise of my as of yet unnamed near-future story set in the year 2033: 
Since so many people have developed allergies to peanuts in this century, the government has banned peanuts and all peanut-related products, including (*gasp*) peanut butter. Side note: I think that was the most anyone has ever used the word 'peanut' in a sentence. Well, as you can imagine, Morgan, my heroine, refuses to live in a world without PB. So, with the help of my hero, Clark, they build their own peanut-butter-making machine in the secret basement of her home and begin the business of bootlegging. Also, they share a few pb kisses, etc, etc. :D

Here's an excerpt, continuing from where we left off last week:

One could never be too careful in a world where secrets could be your undoing. Confirming the coast was clear, she jumped in.

A winding slide carried her, giggles and all, to the basement floor of her home. The Cave of Inspiration, as she dubbed it. Bits and pieces of machinery lay scattered across a long wooden table at the center. Blueprints were haphazardly tacked to a corkboard against the wall. One neon green 3-D computer occupied the majority of the remaining real estate. Her sock-clad feet squeaked against the sticky floor as she navigated the space from one end to the other. 

Thanks so much for stopping by and be sure to visit the other Weekend Writing Warriors! 

Okay, about that happy news...I am now officially employed as a teacher! I just received word on Friday that I've been hired as an occasional teacher for the Ottawa/Carleton District School Board and I couldn't be more thrilled. I've been working my butt off for years to land this gig so it's kind of a huge deal to me. I'll be teaching physical education and dramatic arts and whatever else they plan to throw at me, and I absolutely cannot wait! It's a lifelong dream of mine finally being realized. :) So that's all from me. Hope you all have a fabulous day!  





:) :( ;) :D :-/ :x :P :-* =(( :-0 X( :7 B-) #:-S :(( :)) =)) :-B :-c :)] ~x( :-h I-) =D7 @-) :-w 7:P 2):) :!! \m/ :-q :-bd ^#(^

24 comments:

  1. Enjoyed your snippet. The idea of a bootleg PB operation makes me giggle.

    Congratulations on your new job! I can tell you're really excited. Quite a range you'll be teaching -- from PE to theater!

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    1. I love making people giggle! :D

      Thank you, Cara! I'm majorly excited to start teaching. You'd be surprised how comparable PE and dramatic arts really are. I often combine the two subjects during lessons.

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  2. Great use of the 8's and like Cara, love the illegal peanut butter premise. Well done on your new gig! Its always great to hear when someone gets to live their dream.

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    1. Aww, thank you so much, J.A.! It's definitely been one of those years-in-the-making kind of dreams, but it's so satisfying to finally be realizing it. :)

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  3. congratulations on the new job. You sound thrilled and I wish it to be all that you hope :)

    I love the 8 of the illegal PB making.

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    1. Thanks very much, Michelle! I have a feeling this is just the start of an incredible adventure--for me AND my characters! lol

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  4. Yay!!!! Congratulations! You're gonna be bringing all kinds of positive energy to the table - lucky kids!!!! This snippet is delightful, I love the slide to the basement, so frickin' cool! You put a smile on my face this morning!

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    1. Aww, Millie! Now you're responsible for putting a giant smile on my face this morning! :D Thank you so much for your wonderful comments. Someday I'm gonna build a slide in my future home too, mark my words.

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  5. Of course your mind would think of putting a slide to the basement. :D

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    1. Well, you know me. ;) I was thinking about putting a giant ball pit at the end of it, but that might have been going overboard.

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  6. That's a very creative premise. I know I don't want to live in a world without peanut butter.

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    1. It would be torture, wouldn't it? Thanks, Emma! Glad you're enjoying it! :)

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  7. Congratulations on the teaching position! Wow, I want to explore this fabulous basement in the snippet...so much detail :-) Tiny nit? (and you know I love your writing) How can feet in socks squeak on the sticky floor? Maybe I'm missing something...Other than that, I am a happy camper and definitely want to keep reading!

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    1. Thanks so much, Veronica! And nice catch there. I fixed it. I appreciate you pointing things out--good or in need of attention. :)

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  8. A world without peanut butter? Don't even hint at such a thing. Should I start hording it now? LOL! Great snippet. I love the slide idea. I want one of those in my house. and I think feet in socks can squeak on a sticky floor - you'd have to be wearing those socks that have rubber grips on them. And congrats on the job! I'm an Ottawa gal too. *waves*

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    1. It might be wise to buy a few extra jars next time you go shopping. ;) Thanks so much for all of the above, Anne! It's so nice to know another Ottawa author! We'll have to connect sometime! :)

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  9. This story is my worst nightmare come true. I'm so glad I have you to plot ways around such a tragic outcome. And I'm insanely happy about your happy news. Insane, because it puts you farther from me, but happy because you are happy. :)

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    1. I am going to be so far ahead of the government if this ever happens, their heads will spin! :D Nothing can keep me away from you, baby! Not a border, and definitely not a few (hundred) extra miles! xoxo :x

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  10. Congrats on your news! That's awesome!!

    Also, love the 8. I would so totally go down that slide daily whether I had a purpose to go down or not!!

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    1. Hee! I'm with you, Sarah! Slides are awesome. And thanks for the congrats! :)

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  11. The Cave of Inspiration sounds very mad-scientist lair-y. (That slide is awesome.) All this for peanut butter!

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    1. Hey, this is just the beginning of the craziness. There's nothing I wouldn't do for peanut butter! ;) Thanks, Caitlin!

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  12. Mmhmpf. Mmgwaph. Mmm...(Takes swig of milk.) That's better. Had peanut butter stuck to the roof of my keyboard. Hey! Congrats on the teaching gig! So proud of you! And I absolutely cannot wait to read the rest of this story. Why don't we all have Caves of Inspiration?

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    1. Hee! Better give that keyboard a bath. Thank you so much for the congrats! Couldn't have done it without all the positive thoughts and prayers from people like you. You work on your Cave of Inspiration and I'll work on mine! :D

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