Jerky Stand

"Where did you get the jerky?"
"From the jerky stand," she said as she pointed to the rundown looking stand with the broken umbrella.
"You bought beef jerky from a stand? Are you crazy? Our parents are going to kill me if their precious princess dies because she bought jerky from a stand."
"Relax, no one's ever died from buying jerky from a stand," she said as she rolled her eyes. "Mom and dad won't even know."
"They will if you die."
"Dont worry, Winston. Kieron gets it every time she's here. She knows the guy and his family," Shelby said as she waved to the man at the jerky stand.

#diamonddirt #amwriting #jerkystand

Small Scene

I honor of Game 2 of the Championship series of the Women's College World Series here is a small scene from Diamond Dirt.

“This is where you feel most comfortable. If I can help you learn these royals here, then I can help you anywhere.”
“How do you know this is where I’m more comfortable? You haven’t seen me anywhere except here and the library,” she said as she crossed her arms.
“You fidget when we’re in the library. It’s not much, but you’re tapping your foot, your pen, and even the edge of your notebook while you take notes. You shift every few minutes as if you’re not comfortable. When I saw you on the field, I noticed how calm you were. You stole a base without hesitating,” he said. “You knew what needed to get done and you did it without shifting or pausing.”
She nodded. “This is my comfort zone. I know what to expect with each pitch.”
“How? The batter can hit the ball at any moment,” he said.
She smiled. “Yeah. It’s their job. I only pitch the ball. They’re supposed to hit it. Sometimes, I win the battle and sometimes they do.”
“It sounds simple,” he said as he turned to face her.
“It is,” she said as she glanced towards the plate. “Between these chalk lines is easy.”
“Then let’s bring the royals here,” he said.

#diamonddirt #amwriting #shelbyandwinston

Sneaking In

So I am writing Diamond Dirt, but I have 2 that I'm also sneaking in some typing time. One will be a novella that will link to Book 10. I do have a name for the novella: Siren Song. Here is a small scene from Siren Song.

As the sun sank in the sky, Destan secured the rigging. His men were busy loading the cannon and preparing for the attack. One man was pulling down their decoy flag so he could raise their colors. He looked over the horizon and saw their target. The lone ship was flying the colors of the Spanish. They were a long way from shore and any help.
“Captain, the front guns are ready to go whenever you are,” Teague yelled up at him.
Teague was his quartermaster and right hand man. The peg leg didn’t slow Teague down. The man was fierce in battle and the one man Destan trusted with his life.
“We’ll fire once we’re closer,” Destan called back. “Red, man the helm.”
“Aye, Cap,” Red said as he grabbed the wheel.
“Cap, we’re entering the Isle of Siren,” Bartholomew said.
“Siren Shores tis but a myth,” Boosa yelled. “Ye, yella be showing.”
“It’s no myth,” Killian said as he shoved Boosa to the side. “I hear tell of the lasses beauty.”
“No lass there mate,” Kidd yelled. “They be demons.”
“Demons?” Bartholomew asked.
“Mermaids, boy,” Fen said. “Be ye wary, mermaids mean a trip to Davy Jones’ Locker.”
“Aye, mermaids be the death of many of men,” Stede said. “Cap, the ship is flagging us.”

#sirensong #firstnovella #piratesandmermaids

Post Season Softball

Here is a small scene from Diamond Dirt in honor of the start of the post season for college softball.

"Professor Davis suggested I sit out a few games."
"Does she know we're in the running for a regional spot?" Kieron asked.
Shelby listened as Kieron moved around on her side of the room.
"I don't know," Shelby said before sighing. "I know I need to get my grade up. I'm working as hard as I can."
"At least Winston is trying to help you," Kieron said. "I wouldn't have put you on the field to study."
"I know, it was weird when he suggested it," Shelby said as she shook her head. "He said he wanted me in my comfort zone."
"Well he got comfort zone right, I don't think I've seen anyone more comfortable on a field than you. It's your home and it's like an old glove. It fits."

#diamonddirt #amwriting #betterondirt

Back at it

It's been a while but I finally settled in and got back to writing. Definitely been missing Shelby and Winston. Here is a small scene between them.

"It always looks like you're hurting your arm," he said as he walked towards her.
"It's a natural motion," she said as she reached for another ball. "Your sister knows."
He smiled as he stopped beside the bucket. "I don't really talk softball with Mia. You're left-handed."
"You just now noticed?" she asked as she spun the ball in her left hand.
"I guess I never noticed when you take notes," he said as he sat his bag on the dirt.
"You could've left your bag in the dugout. No one would touch it."
"It's okay. It's dirt."
"Some people don't like dirt," she said as she set her feet and fired another ball across the plate.
"How fast do you pitch?" he asked as he handed her another ball.
"It depends on the pitch," she said as she grabbed the ball. "I pitch at three different speeds; mid-fifties, mid-sixties, and low seventies."
"How do batters hit any of them?" he asked.
She smiled. "They find a way. My job is to pitch and their job is to hit."

#diamonddirt #shelbyandwinston #pitcher

Sand meets the Sea

"Where the sand meets the sea, is where you'll find me."

As I write Diamond Dirt, I do have my next book outlined. It even has a name and I've chosen the cover image. It will be the first in my fairy tale series. I can't wait to dive into it especially since I have certain scenes already written. It will be my twist on The Little Mermaid.

#fairytale #sandandsea #upcomingbook

Diamond Dirt

Besides my main characters, I love my secondary characters. Diamond Dirt has two of my favorites, Winston's little sister Mia and his best friend Bennett. Here is snippet of one of their scenes together.

"How old are you? You're in college and you're winging it?" she asked. "You're an adult and should be taking your classes seriously."
"I'm acing my classes. What about you, softball girl? How are your grades?" Bennett asked as he stood up. "You can't possibly be a good ball player and be great in your classes. It's one or the other."
"I'm a straight A student," she said without glancing away from the TV. "I also have a .425 batting average and a .625 on base average. My ERA is 2.1."
"Did she just swear at me in softball?" Bennett asked as he looked at Winston.
Winston snorted as he sat down in the chair. "I don't think Mia wants to put money in the sweat jar. Also she didn't swear at you in softball."
"How do you know? You're not fluent in softball either," Bennett said as he grabbed a bottle from the fridge. "I can ask Shelby. She'll know if you swore at me in softball. I think ERA is some kind of code."
"She'll look at you like you're crazy," she said.

#diamonddirt #amwriting #book9