Last summer I was writing Church Girls and blogging the process. But in the middle of the book I realized the good story line had gone to a minor character. I didn’t know how to save it without a massive rewrite.
Every few months I think, “Aha! I know how to save Church Girls!” I thought that again recently. But I’m halfway through a different WIP right now so it will have to wait.
I opened the document today and saw the opening scene. I like the scene but it is part of a side story that won’t make it in the finished book (if there ever is a finished book.)
You know what that means? It’s perfect for the blog!
So, without further ado, here’s is clips from the cutting room floor, Church Girls Edition.
**
Two men sat outside the chicken coop drinking lemonade.
“I think it will be safe in the barn,” Herbert said. He leaned on the post behind him and scratched his dusty boot on the back on his coveralls.
“Prolly so.” Dutch agreed.
“And it’s not like we’ll be needing it any time soon.” Herbert emptied his lemonade cup and squinted into the distance. A squirrel clambered up his walnut tree. “Shoulda brought my pellet gun,” he said.
Dutch laughed. “You couldn’t hit a squirrel anymore. You’re blind.”
“That so?” Herbert said. He picked up a small stone and tossed it across the yard, knocking the propeller of his wind-driven yard decoration. It spun around once.
“Guess not,” Dutch said. “You don’t mind keeping this in the barn, then?” he asked again.
“Nah. Like you said. It’ll be years before we’ve got money to build the tower.”
“All right then.” Dutch stood up. “I’d best git. Wanda wants me to help her pack.”
“How long are you gone for?” Herbert asked.
“We’ll be in Bolivia for most of the year.” Dutch said.
“I might join you next time. Them hard hats for Jesus do good work.”
“You do that. I think you’d like it.”
Herbert and Dutch went back in the house and put their cups in the sink. Herbert’s wife Yvonne had been dead for more than six years, but neither of them dared muss her kitchen. It wouldn’t have been right.
I enjoyed this snippet. I love reading stories with characters that I can picture. You’re writing reminds me a bit of Jan Karon and the Mitford Series…an enjoyable collection. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks! That’s such a huge compliment! I am a big fan of Mitford. I love Karon’s style–she’s her own writer and breaks so many rules so successfully. : ) One of my dreams is to create a fictional world as warm and charming as Mitford.