As many of you know, I’m participating in a writing blog, Writing 101. We are to work on describing a setting; a place we would like to be transported.
There are two places I like to be–on two wheels going fast or on the deck of a ship far out to sea in a storm. I saw this as an opportunity to share the beginning paragraph of my first chapter of my novel, Almost Human. It will be released in May 2015.
I would love feedback on if I’ve succeeded in setting the tone of the story with my description of setting. So for better or worse, I hope you enjoy it!
Chapter 1 – Somewhere off the coast of Equatorial Africa, 1938
Malice brewed far out in the Southern Atlantic, where two winds met from different quarters of the world. At first, they stalked each other, blowing blasts between calms as they circled. But in the dying embers of sunset in the empty spaces of the Equator, they combined with a force that turned the calm tropical seas of summer into a caldron of froth and fury. A storm was gathering. It brooded alone for a while, gathering its force until it sent out the first signals of doom at dawn with steep running swells that raced out from the eye. They grew in force with each mile, forming giant walls of death which caught the shipping lanes asleep.
Wow very descriptive. Look forward to the book.
Thanks Donna. Coming from means a lot!
As always, many thanks, Donna.
I would keep reading. 🙂
Many thanks!
Thanks for taking the time to read my post!
Fantastic! I love the alliteration in “doom at dawn”.
Many thanks! The Book Blogger is one of my favorite reads everyday. You showcase some real gems which is important if you’re a writer. Writers write but they also read to stay in touch with their craft!
Great writing Ken! That’s an A+ from me!
Thanks, Trevor. I appreciate you taking the time to read it.
Just like you, this story is going to amazing!! I have been anticipating it for years now!! I am so excited. When can we read the rest?
Very kind of you to say, Stefini. In a way, you were part of the story as I draw much from the Wild Animal Training Center days. Almost Human will be out next month according to my agent. I will post something when it is.
It had my neck hairs standing on end! Brilliant! Very captivating opening paragraph
Thanks. As a novelist, it’s especially gratifying to get praise from a poet!
I would never dare to call myself a poet! In my personal opinion, writing a novel is a daunting task that I have never been able to successfully complete (not through lack of trying) so I always put novelist on the highest rung of the ladder
🙂 wow, I’d keep reading too – very poetic, wonderfully painterly writing. Fantastic!
Thanks you for the encouragement!
Makes me wanna read the rest!!
Some of the story is set in Reno in the late 60’s . I’m glad you’ll read it!
Thats exciting!
I live on a ranch in South Reno on Holcomb lane in the late 70’s when I was on the faculty of UNR….
It’s a beautiful area. Still lots of ranches there. Many students at UNR rent room there. In fact looked at some land nearby, a couple weeks ago.
Land was cheap back than.
Sounds great — paints a very descriptive picture and stirs the soul at the same time ! Send us more !
Thanks so much for reading it!