Success only flourishes in perseverance -- ceaseless, restless perseverance.
--Baron Manfred Von Richtofen

Monday, December 21, 2009

Merry Kiss-mas (or the Official Kissing Day blogfest)

Heard about this on Elana's and Nisa's blogs. It was started by Sherrinda. Looks like fun. You're supposed to post a kissing scene from something you wrote, so here goes. Here's a scene from my current WIP, The Ransomed Returning (it's sci-fi). Emma has lived her life in slavery and never learned how to really feel. Ben has just discovered his feelings for her, but doesn't know quite how to approach her. He decides to write her a love song. (Oh, and Joey is Emma's grandfather.)


Emma answered the door. "Hello, Ben. Joey's not here. He and Mariane went out visiting."
"Oh. Well, I came to see you, too. Mind if I come in?"
She shrugged "I don't mind."
He followed her in and sat down beside her on the couch. She didn't quite meet his eyes. "You didn't come to church with us today," she said.
"No. I went with my parents this time. I wanted to be with the nengwoonts'eng—the people I lived with in the mine."
"That man who was in the plane with Hannah, he was your leader, wasn't he?"
"Yes."
"Are you worried about him?"
"A little, but they most likely got out all right. Kwetoo'unuv can take care of himself wherever he is. I think they'll be fine."
"Do you think the Great Ones will come with more attack vessels and punish us?"
"No. And even if they do, we're ready for them."
Emma looked away.
"I'm glad you decided to stay here with us," Ben said.
She nodded. "Grandpa—Joey—says I should pray for God to help me."
"That's good advice. You know, I prayed and God helped me catch that watcher by the park."
Emma flinched.
"We took his overskin off. He can't hurt you now."
She shuddered. "Are you sure?"
"Absolutely. I could take you down to the refuge and let you see for yourself."
"I don't want to see him."
"We told him he could be free like us, but he won't do it. It's sad really."
"Maybe he's afraid," Emma said.
"Maybe. But there really isn't anything to be afraid of."
Emma stared at her lap. Ben took out the guitar. "Would you like me to play for you?"
She shrugged. "If you want."
He played the melody he'd been working on all afternoon. Emma's eyes drifted shut. She leaned her head back a little, listening.  Something almost like a smile touched her lips. She really was quite beautiful. He could imagine her happy and vibrant and alive. He'd like to see her like that. He'd like to see her smile again.
"That's pretty," she said.
His face grew hot. "You like it? I wrote it for you."
She opened her eyes and stared at him. "For me? Why?"
"I wanted to." He strummed a couple more measures. "Because I'm crazy about you."
Her eyes widened a little, as if she'd just then figured out what that phrase meant. Ben took a deep breath, and even though he didn't think the words were ready, he started to sing. As he did, the whole thing clicked in his brain and came out better than he expected.
It wasn't much really, but when he finished Emma had tears rolling down her face. Oh, dear. That wasn't the reaction he'd been hoping for. Come to think of it, he didn't know what reaction he'd been hoping for. He set down the guitar. "Why are you crying?"
She reached for him and he took her hand. "What I feel, it's so—so big. I don't know what to do. It frightens me."
He laid his hand on her cheek. "But really there isn't anything to be afraid of." He slipped his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her to him and kissed her. It lasted only a second.
Emma gasped. "Ben," she whispered and leaned toward him. He kissed her again, longer this time, enjoying the sweet scent of her skin, her breath against his cheek.
"Ben!"
He pulled away from her and turned. "Joey. Oh, um—" There wasn't anything to say, so he just shrugged his shoulders. He didn't let go of Emma's hand.



So there you have it. I actually do intend to include love song lyrics, but--yeah--I don't really know how to write a song. (Anyone want to write a love song for my book?)

14 comments:

Aubrie said...

That's a really cute kiss scene and the other plotlines sound really good. "The Watchers" sound ominous.

Thanks for sharing, Angie!

Unknown said...

That was so sweet. I loved your scene! The premise of your book sounds great too and I want to get to know the characters better!

I would be happy to *try* and write a love song for your book. :) I have to admit I'm a little better with the sassy and sarcastic, but I've written a few good love songs in the past.

Heidi Ruby Miller said...

I love it when writers also write songs to accompany their work. Several of my fellow and sister writers at Seton Hill have even recorded soundtracks. In fact, my husband plans to do this as well.

I hope you take a shot at it yourself.

You are a writer, after all, so you can write anything, including your own lyrics. ;)

Unknown said...

I have to agree with Heidi and you have such a musical family! Try listening to your favorite love songs for inspiration. :)

Roni Loren said...

I'm loving all these kissing scenes. Thanks for sharing yours.

V. S said...

I enjoyed this scene! I want to know your characters more. Job well done.

Bethany Wiggins said...

So sweet!

Wendy Sparrow said...

That was wonderful. A song... wow... ambitious.

Sherrinda Ketchersid said...

Ooooo, a kiss interrupted! I'm sure they will get back to it in time, right? Thanks so much for participating in the kissing party! It's been alot of fun!

Jenni James said...

Whenever I want to write a song for one of my books, I just pray first, with a notebook and pen and out it comes...

Cute scene!

Jenni James

Angie said...

Thanks for your comments everyone. You have totally inspired me to attempt a love song. Maybe I'll post it when I'm through.

Anonymous said...

I love that he didn't let go of her hand. =]

Sadly, I can't compose music. I'm sorry.

Katie said...

There's always something romantic about a love song. And I've had the same issue of trying to write lyrics; I eventually gave up. lol

The issue of her dealing with new emotions is cool, too. The book sounds interesting!

Suzette Saxton said...

LOVE it!