The Next Big Thing

Thank you Kim Emerson (http://masterkoda.com/category/master-koda-blog-tour ). She asked me to talk about my current WIP or The Next Big Thing.

What is the title of your book?

Duty, though it is kind of official at this point. I have the cover completed and the final editing copy is in the hands of my editor-in-chief, my hubby.
Where did the idea for the book come from?
I was listening to a CD lecture set from The Learning Company. I don't remember specific references, but a king sent an army over a mountain to conquer the people there. The king ordered the army to settle, take wives, and raise families (subduing the conquered by mingling their blood, interests, and futures). I began wondering what it would be like to be one of the women forced to marry the "enemy" and forge a life with him.What genre does your book fall under?
Historical romance, though not strictly historical.
Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?
I will be self-publishing it as an ebook, paperback, and hard cover.
How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript? May we see an intro?
I began the first draft in November of 2011 and finished July 24th, 2012. In eight months, I wrote over 77,617 words. I say over since I edited as I wrote.
What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?
Can a marriage of duty survive treason?
What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?
Oh, that is a tough one. Um... All of the books I can think of use magic or are strictly historical. I have heard that some of Ann McCaffrey's work is similar.
Who or what inspired you to write this book?
This book began as a opening line contest to celebrate the 100th blog post on my blog. I used the winning entry to begin the story. At the time, I intended to write a short story. My characters had other ideas. :)
What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?
The main character, Brielle, is a practical and strong woman without being too over the top. She is a bit fearless, but she isn't foolish.

Here is an excerpt from the first chapter:

~~~~~

"The red one is mine," he said.

I didn’t raise my head although instinct urged me to. Father had called me Red. He said I was born screaming, skin deep red like the beets in the garden and hair fiery orange like the sun. The man who spoke was not my father.

I glanced at him from beneath my cloak’s hood. Arrogant in his size and superior mass, his eyes picked me out of the writhing mass of captives. Early morning sunlight glinted off plain armor and an unadorned helm, yet the unwashed barbarians treated him with the respect due a commander.

The crowd of women around me parted for the soldier fulfilling his order. Mothers moved back with babes in their arms, toddlers clinging to their skirts. Their fingers clutched older children’s hands or shoulders. A living mass, their voices silenced by the army surrounding them. Their faces spoke eloquently of their fear.

The soldier, smelling of sweat and sour wine, grabbed my left arm and dragged me out from among them. I didn’t want to bring harm to the women around me. The soldier would injure many before subduing me. I allowed him to pull me toward the commander with only minimal resistance.

Once free of the captives, however, I yanked from the man’s grip in an attempt to run. Three pairs of rough hands caught hold of my arms before I managed more than a few steps. The stench of their unclean bodies turned my stomach. I gagged as I fought them. They dragged me through the dust and dumped me at his feet.

I struggled up only to be brought down again. Pressure behind my knees forced me to kneel.

I lifted my face to glare at the commander.

“Remove her hood.”

Someone pulled my cloak half off my shoulders in his enthusiasm. Red curls fell free in a wild mass about my shoulders.

Silently I cursed the color. If only I had been blessed with plain brown or even blond tresses, I could have hidden in plain sight.

“My Lady Brielle Solarius, I presume.”

He had the audacity to meet my glare. His eyes were only glimmers beneath the beaten metal and leather of his helmet. He made no bow or any show of the honor due me. I was a noblewoman. I didn’t claim the right of deference often, but still the fact remained.

“Might I know your name, barbarian?”

Now I just have to wait for my husband to get back to me with the final edits. I can't wait to get the final copy into readers' hands. :)

I am tagging the following writers and ask they publish answers to the same questions about their WIP on Dec 5th. I look forward to reading more about "The Next Big Thing" from them.


Charissa Taylor Lees - http://dreammountain.blogspot.com/
Book Review Mama - http://libraryendofuniverse.blogspot.com/
Aubrey Hansen - http://www.aubreyhansen.com/
Anne Girl - http://scribblingskeyboard.blogspot.com
The Authoress - http://theswirlofwords.blogspot.com/

- Rachel Rossano