WIP Wednesday Bryn Donovan spring writing

Hey, friends! Welcome to another WIP Wednesday, where I share a little of what I’m working on and you do the same in the comments section below! No more than 500 words, please, and no sexually explicit material, though coarse language is no problem.

It’s fine if it’s raw — this is “Work In Progress Wednesday,” not “Gaze Upon My Perfect Prose Wednesday” (which would not be nearly so catchy.)

 

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We avoid making critical remarks or suggestions for improvement, because we’re sharing work that’s still rough. Besides, it’s hard to be helpful when you’re evaluating an excerpt. You might say, “You shouldn’t have done X,” when the author has a very good reason for doing X that you don’t know about, because you didn’t read the rest of the story.

However, encouraging comments are, well, encouraged.

Before I share mine, I want to plead for your thoughts, prayers, good-luck spells, good vibes, and whatever else you’ve got. I have to finish a draft of my sweet contemporary romance this month. That way I can have a month to make it into a not-terrible draft before it goes to my developmental editor, who will help me make it into a good draft.

I’ve never missed deadlines, and I don’t want to start now. With the publishing job, it’s a challenge. But it has to be done. I’ll report back next month on my success!

Also, I have a question. Do you ever mentally cast actors in your head when you’re writing a story? In my head, this hero keeps looking a lot like Paul Rudd. Dylan is quite a bit younger. But Paul Rudd looks way younger than he has a right to look, so it’s fine.

 

WIP Wednesday Bryn Donovan

 

In this story, Dylan and Paige had one date…and then Paige found out that Dylan wanted to buy the cabin she’s renting. The landlord has just put it on the market, but he’s given her a little time to get the money to be able to buy it. Dylan has plenty of money; Paige doesn’t.

In romances, you’re always setting up reasons for the two people to spend a lot of time together, and that’s what this scene is all about.

 

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She asked, “If I make an offer on the cabin, are you going to outbid me?”

After a moment, he admitted, “Yes.”

Paige’s hopes withered. At least he’s honest about it. “I feel like if you knew me better, you’d understand why this place means so much to me.”

“Maybe that’s true.”

If they’d been seeing each other for a while, maybe he would’ve steered clear of the idea of buying the cabin. Even a few weeks of dating might’ve been enough.

That gave her an idea.

“What if you gave me a few weeks to convince you I should get the cabin?”

Dylan had been leaning against the doorframe, but now he took a couple of steps into the kitchen. “What do you mean?”

“I mean…” She was making it up on the spot. “I take you to other places that mean a lot to me, and tell you things about me and my life, and then you’ll see why I was meant to live here.”

His mouth dropped open. He hadn’t been expecting that, which gave her a tiny measure of satisfaction. There was something staid and controlled about him that gave her the urge to catch him off guard. When they’d been at the orchard, she’d climbed a tree partly to get at the best apples, but also partly to shake things up.

“If I convince you that I deserve it,” she said, “then if I can make an offer, you won’t make one.”

He shook his head. “You know someone else still might, though, right?”

“But with you, I at least have a chance of changing your mind.”

“What makes you think that?”

Because you like me. Or at least, he had. “Because you’re a nice person.”

He raised his eyebrows, looking nonplussed and…a little pleased? “So we’ll still be dating.”

“No. Not dating,” she said firmly. “I’d just be—teaching you. About myself.”

“Isn’t that what dating is?”

Well, he had a point. And the mischievous look in his eyes was awfully hard to resist.

But she was resisting. He was the enemy. Even if he was a decent, charming enemy. “As long as you want to buy this cabin, we’re not dating.” All he had to say was, Fine, I’ll buy some other house.

“Okay, you’re on,” he said. “You’ve got until Thanksgiving to convince me.” It wasn’t the capitulation she wanted, but it was something. He held up a finger. “Under one condition.”

Her hackles rose. “What?”

“I get to try to convince you that I deserve it more.

She gave a short, disbelieving laugh.

“What?” he challenged her. “It’s only fair, right?”

She raised her hands. “No, it is, you’re right. But there’s no way you can convince me of that.”

He actually got a smug look on his face, like a poker player holding a royal flush. Was there something she didn’t know…?

 

WIP Wednesday Bryn Donovan

 

Okay, let’s see what you’re up to! And if it’s your first time, don’t worry: this is a friendly crowd. If you just want to talk about how your writing is going, you should also feel free to do that.

But if you’re not chatting today, that’s cool, too. I appreciate your stopping by and reading! Have a great day!

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