Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors! This is the successor to Six Sentence Sunday.
As mentioned before, I have a new release coming out around April 30th called Purely Relative (The P.U.R.E., #1.5). I revealed the cover on February 28th. Last week’s eight featured sentences taken from The P.U.R.E. that were the genesis for my latest addition to Gayle’s adventures.
Here are the first eight sentences of Purely Relative told in Gayle’s POV:
Most people think meeting your boyfriend’s family is a hallmark of commitment. I’d have rather been committed than go to the Cripps’ for a home-cooked Thanksgiving meal. Oh, I loved a gluttonous turkey feast as much as anyone. The meal wasn’t the problem. Wondering how much Jon’s sister, Jenny, had shared about the night she met me kept me on a steady diet of fingernails and nerves.
Catching me and her little brother going at it in her guest bedroom probably wasn’t the best way for him to announce he’d traded in his longtime family friend/fiancée for some short blonde chick with a fat ass. I didn’t steal him from Thalia. He told me I didn’t.
Ooh…I think we can expect a little tension at that family get-together!
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FCEtier
March 2, 2013 at 6:32 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I think that one person’s “fat ass” the another’s “hot ass!”
Nice snippet!
Cindy Amrhein ( @historysleuth1 )
March 2, 2013 at 9:05 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great writing to visually describe an awkward moment. Definitely more exciting them my dinners.
Sarah W
March 3, 2013 at 5:26 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Those last two lines sound like she’s trying to convince herself . . . Should be an interesting visit!
Jess Schira
March 3, 2013 at 5:37 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
The entire snippet made me giggle. It’s very relateable. Great job and good luck with your upcoming release!
Joanne Stewart
March 3, 2013 at 6:41 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
“He told me I didn’t.” ohhh, this just screams of something hidden in there. lol Meeting the in-laws. Always a harrowing experience. You captured it perfectly. Great snippet.
Joyce Scarbrough
March 3, 2013 at 7:07 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Awesome beginning! Your attempt at hooking the reader has worked. Gotta have more!
brendaashworthbarry
March 3, 2013 at 7:33 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Uh oh. How awkward for her. I love hearing her thoughts and could feel her worrying about what was going to happen. Makes me want to know what’s going to happen. Great job.:-)
Willa Blair
March 3, 2013 at 7:36 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Love that – steady diet of fingernails and nerves. Great cover, too!
Elaine Cantrell
March 3, 2013 at 7:36 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I see so many possibilities here.
siobhanmuir
March 3, 2013 at 8:19 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
LOVE the line about fingernails and nerves!
And yeah, I’d be nervous, too. Great snippet, Claire. 
veronicascott
March 3, 2013 at 9:58 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
It will definitely be an interesting family dinner to read about, not good for her digestion though. Fun snippet!
India Masters
March 3, 2013 at 10:11 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Really enjoyed the snippet! I would definately buy this!
Karysa Faire
March 3, 2013 at 10:23 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
This sounds like a lot of fun. Congratulations on the upcoming release and the new cover–love it, btw! The old-fashioned pics in the background is a nice touch.
Karen Michelle Nutt
March 3, 2013 at 10:56 AM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great visual! Love this line: ‘…a steady diet of fingernails and nerves.’
Kate Warren
March 3, 2013 at 1:13 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Wow. I’d be nervous too. Love the line about fingernails and nerves.
Shannyn Schroeder
March 3, 2013 at 2:52 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I love the line about the diet of fingernails and nerves. I would not be looking forward to that family dinner, especially since she doesn’t sound so sure if she did steal him.
S. J. Maylee
March 3, 2013 at 3:09 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
a steady diet of fingernails and nerves <– great line. You pull me in with your characters. I'm nervous for her too, poor thing.
Kate Meader
March 3, 2013 at 4:50 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Wow, you’ve managed to pack so much into a few sentences. Great scene building, too.
FCEtier
March 3, 2013 at 5:09 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
More evidence for the old addage, “There’s no such thing as ‘family fun’?”
Nice 8.
Virginia Kelly
March 3, 2013 at 5:16 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Fantastic opening. Nerves & fingernails–love it!
Gem Sivad
March 3, 2013 at 5:54 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
I think she can expect some tension. But, listening to her voice, I’m sure she can handle it. Great opening. Loved it!
Carrie Crain
March 3, 2013 at 5:54 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Family get-togethers. Yikes!! You did a great job showing the tension and fright within her.
Dani-Lyn Alexander
March 4, 2013 at 10:55 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great job setting up the tension, I can’t wait to read more of this!
ED Martin
March 7, 2013 at 10:10 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Great set up for the upcoming meal!
gardencreator
March 9, 2013 at 7:44 PM (UTC -7) Link to this comment
Very much realism.