The Excerpt
San Antonio popped up as sudden as a jackrabbit, surprising with both its size and rough edges. One of the oldest Spanish settlements in Texas and among its largest cities, in the final decade of the century, it was quickly transitioning from frontier town into bustling metropolis.
While history still shrouded the battle-scarred walls of the Alamo, the city itself was quickly becoming a popular winter resort spot for those in colder climes. Department store windows flourished, tempting cautious eyes that still kept a watch for raids from outlaws or Indians. Stylish beaus paddled their parasol-shaded lady friends along the wall of the river while horse- or mule-drawn streetcars allowed passengers to hop on and off to shop along Houston Street. Even with its own fire department, newspaper, brewing company, and vaudeville theater, one would be wise to remember that the safety of civilization was as recent as the pinch of new shoes.
Watching the bustling comings and goings along that rutted street, Martine was suddenly aware of her situation. Alone, in the company of two young men she didn’t know. Garbed in a patchwork of unsuitable clothing on the edge of what would become a new and, at the moment, frightening life.
Yes, I hear you loud and clear. I'm in the same boat when it comes to getting my project finished!
ReplyDeleteNice descriptions in your snippet!
Thanks, Iris! It's taking me forever to get back to this book. I need a desert island.
DeleteIt definitely happens to me. Sometimes I just need to put aside my WIP and write something else completely unrelated, just for fun.
ReplyDeleteI love the description of the town in this excerpt. That last paragraph makes me worry about her situation at the moment. Sounds potentially dangerous.
If you're worried about her I'm doing my job! She's a fish without a bicycle in this book but luckily finds just the right pair of cousins to teach her to swim and peddle.
DeleteI love living in San Antonio. (I'm actually about a half hour south, but close enough) I love walking in and around the Alamo and up and down the Riverwalk. It is just about time they light it up with holiday cheer. Can't wait for our family meal on the river. It's just around the corner with my mom's visit. Hearing your description make me ache for it all the more. Great snippet.
ReplyDeleteIn all honesty, I've never been to that part of Texas and am thrilled my descriptions are true enough to convince the reader that 've walked those streets.
DeleteLoved your description of the town at the end of the century. It did bring back my single trip there to an RWA conference many years ago. I too hope she's not in over her head, but at least she has the sense to realize her possible folly. And I've been going through the exact thing you are with writing. Ever since the summer I've had to push myself to sit down and write. The situation just got a little better because after the election I've been using my writing as an escape and have been writing like gangbusters ever since!
ReplyDelete