Behind the scene
Hello again readers. Today let’s take a closer look behind the scenes of writing a novel. We discussed creating a world for the story, time of day or night, location in time, physical location, and what a character sees, feels, or wants.
This time, let’s glimpse at setting the scene without looking at the wall covering, the drapes or other elaborate descriptions. A change in the text allows a glimpse at the reason for her fear. Now, let’s gaze into her personal space.
Here is a partial scene from my upcoming release by Soul Mate Publishing, A Lady’s Vanishing Choices:
The image of a man deep in the woods burying a bundle large enough to contain a corpse haunted Bethany the entire way back to Birdelwood Manor. What other nefarious purpose could be served by his actions besides the disposal of a body? That thought made it difficult for her to concentrate on tooling the gig down the narrow lane without constantly looking over her shoulder. He didn’t see me. I’m safe. Relief washed through her, but she still held doubts about her escape being undetected.
Creeping up the back stairs, she slipped into her room at the top of the house, and slumped against the door with her arms behind her. After catching her breath, she pushed away and removed her bonnet, throwing the old thing across the room. She didn’t care where it landed. Sinking onto her narrow bed, she buried her face in her hands as her entire body trembled with reaction.
She heard a noise behind her. Paralyzed with fright, her heart pounding and her pulse beating in her ears at a deafening rate, she managed to swallow hard. She could sense danger closing in on her. The villain could sink a dagger between her shoulder blades with ease. She couldn’t flinch away. Vulnerable with her back to the intruder, she twisted around, fully expecting to fight for her life, only to discover the house cat had wandered into her room. She let out a long swoosh of breath.
The picture painted with words is subtle. No description of the room at all. The reader hopefully gathers bits and pieces of information in this section. Bethany made her way to the top of the house to enter a room resembling a servant’s quarters rather than a cherished member of the family. At the top of the house, says it all. She took the back stairs much as a servant would as well. Another bit revolves around the narrow bed, not a plush, feather bed worthy of a corseted daughter or niece of the house. Again, a reference to the way the family treats her.
She is frightened. Why doesn’t she run to her family for protection? This information gives a clue to her life at Birdlewood Manor. Everything is hinted at instead of boldly stated.
I hope I’ve given the reader another peek behind the scene of writing and the ease with which a novel is written. LOL. Bethany stumbled upon a serious situation, but the tension is lessened when she discovers the cat. The ups and downs of emotions are displayed for the reader to enjoy, the tears, fatigue, fright, and even the laughter.
Love is always the guiding mainstay of my writing, along with suspense. For further information about my novels, visit my website at www.wareezewoodson.com.
Thanks for allowing me to visit your world today. Wareeze Woodson
smpauthors.wordpress.com 
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