Weekend Writing Warriors #42!

Hellooooo, friends! Happy Sunday to one and all! Hope you've had a great week! It's time to get to know my hero a little better in today's excerpt from Nutcases.

Here's the premise: It's 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. 

And here's the excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 

“Impressive.”

His Nutella-colored eyes swept over her from head to toe and back again. “I’ll say,” he murmured. 

Her cheeks burned under his frank perusal. “Oh, please, come in,” she said, stepping aside, watching the long, lean, fedora-wearing professor enter her home like he belonged there.

He took off his hat and placed it on the counter. Brown hair flopped free, nearly covering his eyes. She cocked her head to the side, grinning at how boyish the hairstyle made him.

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

Life in Ottawa has been so much better than I ever imagined. At the end of my second week of teaching here, I've already landed a long-term position at the same high school that took my teaching virginity, and I couldn't be happier! I'm teaching Grade 9 and Grade 10/11 Girls' Phys-Ed. When I told the girls on Friday that I was going to be their new teacher, they all clapped and cheered for me. Best. Feeling. Ever. I've never felt more at home in a place so far from home. All that's left to do now is celebrate! :) Wishing you all a spectacular week ahead! 

Weekend Writing Warriors #41!

Heya, peeps! How's everyone doing out there? Welcome back to my blog for another excerpt from Nutcases! Today you finally get to meet my hero! :)

Here's the premise: It's 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. 

And here's the excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 

Peering through the frosted glass, her eyes widened. He was tall, and wearing a hat, if she wasn’t mistaken. One of those old fedoras that had recently made a comeback. She pulled open the door and smiled. “A whole seven minutes early,” she said, breathless.

“Woulda been eight if you’d opened the door a little sooner.” He had a scrumptious southern accent on top of the deep voice--a Georgia boy, born and raised. The one-two punch smacked her right in the lady parts. 

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

Well, this past week I taught for the very first time as a real, certified teacher and it was one of the most incredible experiences of my life! Not only did I connect with the students, I connected with staff, principals, vice principals, secretaries, and even janitors! It's been such a rewarding week for me. It couldn't have gone better, and it confirms without a doubt that I'm in the right field. I'm in the right place. This is the job for me. Happiest girl in the world ---> *points to self* Wishing you all a wonderful week! :)

Weekend Writing Warriors #40!

Howdy, folks! Happy Sunday! I'm sharing another excerpt from Nutcases today, so let's get crackin'!

Here's the premise: It's 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. 

And here's the excerpt, continuing from where we left off: 
The front door buzzed. “Oh shit.” Tucking her hair behind her ears, she made a beeline for the rope ladder. Elevators were too hoity-toity, a reverse slide would have been overkill, and stairs were just plain boring. Another buzz. Another heart tremor. The ladder led to the only other trap door in her home, located in the kitchen pantry. She climbed out, dusted herself off, and took a shaky breath before hurrying to the door. 

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

My life has been crazy busy as of late, and the last few days have been especially nutty. I'm all moved in to my new home in Ottawa, Ontario, thanks in large part to my parents. They helped me pack, drove hours and hours to get here to help me unpack, build furniture, buy me food and celebratory champagne, and visit half a dozen stores so I could buy every household item known to mankind. But I'm here now, and I'm so pumped because I start teaching next week! Wish me luck! :) Hope you all have a fabulous day/week!

Weekend Writing Warriors #39!

Hi folks! Welcome back to my place! :) I'm sharing another excerpt from Nutcases today, continuing from where we left off. 

But first, here's the premise!

It's 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. 

And heeeere's the excerpt!

Her lips curved into a smile as she paused to examine Hologram-Clark one last time before Real-Clark arrived. So attractive. So distinguished looking. With a swift click of a button, the image on the screen morphed into a three-dimensional waterfall. So unsatisfying.

On a lark she’d sent Clark an email, hoping he’d eventually respond. To her delight, he replied a mere twenty minutes later and invited her to call him at home that evening. Now, weeks later, he was coming to her home. 

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

Well, I've had a very eventful week. I signed a one-year lease for a two-bedroom condo in Ottawa, I bought one of those...mobile devices (I actually sent my very first text message on it the other day), and now I'm packing up my life and gearing up to move 4 hours away from home. I will always refer to my parents' house as home. No matter where I go, or where I end up, I'll be chanting like Dorothy, "There's no place like home, there's no place like home...." Thankfully my new place is really nice, in a fab location, and ready and waiting for me to move in. Wishing you all a wonderful week! :)

Weekend Writing Warriors #38!

Hey! Hi! Hello! How's everyone doing today? Happy to see you here again! I'm sharing another excerpt from my story that is still as of yet untitled. Perhaps I'll call it 'Nutcases'. 

Here's the premise: It's 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. 

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

She opened the freezer and removed one of the last remaining jars. She’d done her best to preserve it for as long as possible, only sampling it on the days when her cravings became too much to bear.

Funny, she almost always craved it after talking to Clark.

She and Clark Straub began corresponding a little over a month ago. She’d found him after searching for several hours on the internet. So much of the past had been erased, at least the parts that pertained to The Final Crunch Down. She learned Clark was a professor at Barnard University who earned his doctorate in agricultural sciences. While she’d read through his bio, she couldn’t help but spend extra seconds gazing at his picture at the top of the screen, the same picture she’d made into her screen saver. 

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

I have a confession to make. I have phonophobia. There's just something about those hideous contraptions that causes me to break into a cold sweat, experience violent chest pains, and consider jumping off the nearest cliff. I hate making calls, I hate taking calls, and I triple hate leaving messages. I've tried so hard to avoid technology and I've done a pretty awesome job...until now. I have to buy a *shudder* cell phone. No. Phone is such a dirty word. I prefer the term 'mobile device' and shall use it henceforth. My new teaching job requires me to own a mobile device. And so now I'm finally entering a world I know nothing about. I walked into a...mobile device store the other day and said, "Hi, I'm phone-dumb and I'm looking for a smart-phone." It's true. I was blissful before I was forced to confront my ignorance head-on. Le sigh. Anywho, stay tuned for the continuing adventures of Evelyn and her mobile device. :P  

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!  

Weekend Writing Warriors #36!

Hello, friends! Happy Thanksgiving to my fellow Canucks, and Happy Sunday to the rest of you! As promised, I'm sharing something completely new today. It's a near-future story set in the year 2033. 

Here's the premise: 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. Also, they share a few pb kisses, etc. :D

Here's an excerpt! 

Her heart was pounding again. It always got that way after talking to the man with the deep voice over the phone. He’d said he’d be there in thirty minutes, but she had a feeling he was the type who arrived to appointments at least five minutes early. That gave her approximately twenty-five minutes to learn how to breathe normally again.

Distraction was the key. Tucking her cell into her pocket, she strode toward her bedroom and pushed aside the antique chest at the foot of the bed. There beneath it was a trap door. She took a precautionary glance around her, something she always did before using the trap, even though she lived alone. 

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

We're celebrating Thanksgiving today at Woodbine race track in Toronto, stuffing our faces at the buffet, betting on horses, and spending time together with family. Is there anything better? Hope you all have a wonderful day! See you next weekend! :)