Day Sixteen - Forging Ahead

I got started writing early this morning because today it is HOT. I got almost an hour's work done before the heat forced me inside to continue there. I definitely prefer to do my writing outside, but my window of opportunity for that tends to be pretty limited, so I do what I can.

There's not much to say about the writing today. I'm still forging ahead into Part II. This is the part of the book where the protagonists finally set out on a journey to rescue the Princess, Osack begins to try to convince Derrel to join the Yalu who can possibly help rescue their father, and the Yalu begins to show its ugly face.

I ended Part I on a somber note, and I am attempting to keep the same mood at the beginning of Part II. Robin and Derrel's spring idyll has come to an abrupt end. The weather is overcast and damp, and everyone's spirits are down. The stakes have been upped. It's time for the real action to begin. 

I am still not completely sure how Part II will play out yet. The entirety of it consisted of a single chapter in my original manuscript. This part of the story will be a challenge to write, as I will be exploring techniques in writing a journey as well as scenes of violence.

I'll just drop here an excerpt of the scene I just finished writing. First draft word vomit, but here it is!

Iris sank wearily into the seat she had vacated only a little while before. “My whole family is in an uproar. Luckily Mama fell asleep not long after I got back. I don’t think I can take much more of it.”

“Then perhaps it’s a good time for us to attempt to rescue the girl I’ve been dreaming about.”

“You’re still on about that?” Rory asked.

“Yes, and I will be until we do it,” she retorted.

“I agree with Robin,” Iris said. “Besides, apparently this Princess is extremely beautiful.”

“What’s that got to do with it?”

“Oh don’t pretend,” Iris said. “Everyone knows you’re a horrid flirt. I’ve seen you around town with that goren shepherdess, what is her name, Moralya?”

“Isn’t she one of the fan club?”

“Fan club?”

Iris giggled. “Yes, Robin. She must have sunk her claws into him when he was repairing her father’s goren pen.”

Robin burst out laughing. It felt good to be on a different subject.

“Dash it Iris, my sister doesn’t need to know all of my business!” Rory shouted indignantly, causing both girls to laugh harder.

“So tell me, Rory,” Iris said, leaning forward, “Are you and the shepherdess a couple?”

“No – maybe – I don’t know – dash it Iris! Fine,” he growled at their reproachful looks. “I don’t know what she wants except to kiss whenever there’s nobody around to see!” He glowered at them and crossed his arms.

“So what you’re saying is, she won’t miss you when we go, except for your lips?” Robin asked.

Rory growled, and Iris laughed out loud.