Monday, February 16, 2009

The First 250 Words of FINDING GRACE

Her e-mail was bold-faced in my inbox. It didn't move or disappear or do any of the creepy things I'd expect an e-mail from a ghost to do.

It was just there.

Existing.

With trembling fingers, I clicked on Grace’s name.

To: K8Lowry@gmail.com
Sent: Sun 9/14 11:59 PM
From: GraceWlsh13@gmail.com
Subject: (no subject)

Kate,
I'm here…
sort of.
Find Christian.
He knows.
I shouldn't be writing.
Don't tell.
They'll hurt you.

I didn't think dead best friends could send emails. Not even on the anniversary of their disappearance. Cue the men in white coats because it was entirely possible that I had lost my mind.

I should have been screaming or crying or something, but instead, my legs, my arms, my heart went numb. It was like the moment was happening to someone else. I watched myself sitting at my desk, the white-blue glow of my computer screen casting crooked shadows on the walls of my bedroom. I saw the beads of sweat drip down my back between the straps of my tank top, and even watched tiny goose bumps erupt along my arms.

The second my mind found its way back to my body, I read Grace’s message again. She’s where? In my room? I jerked my head to the left and right looking for Grace or…a form of Grace. A trickle of sweat rolled down my chest.

“Grace?” My voice cracked her name.

As soon as the sound left my lips, I regretted it. Really Kate? A ghost? No wonder my parents sent me to a shrink.

11 comments:

casiecook said...

Absolutely love it! I'm dying to read the rest - Laur get on that! Please send asap.

lisa and laura said...

Ooh...I love that you want to read! But Lisa is adding in some final edits and then I'll begin my final edits, so I'll send it when we're done. I can't wait to see what you think!

Tara said...

Just noticed - did you change her Ava's name to Grace?

Lisa said...

Yes...we might have a title change on our hands too, but nothing official yet.

Sherrie Petersen said...

Great opening!

Unknown said...

i'm already enthralled ... cannot wait to read the entire thing. eeeks!

Anonymous said...

I can't wait to read the book and I love that two sisters wrote the book together. Congrats!

Stina said...

Wasn't this on MSFV SA contest not long ago? I seem to remember enjoying back then, too. Good luck with the submission process. :D

Lisa said...

You have a great memory Stina! Glad you enjoyed the original and the revamped version.

We're knee deep in agent directed revisions right now, so submissions seem like a long way off. Hopefully there's an editor out there who will fee the same way you do!

Anonymous said...

LOVE it! I'm a huge fan of Veronica Mars . . . and this reminds me of it just a little. I must read more! I can't wait til revisions are d-o-n-e!

lisa and laura said...

Becca - That makes 3 of us! So honored by the Veronica Mars comparison...I think I'd be happy if our book was half as good!

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