Snippet from “Collateral Damage” (WeWriWa #1)
Welcome to my first post for Weekend Writing Warriors! Yes, I’m joining yet another blog hop. If this keeps up, I’m going to have to find a support group for people addicted to blog hops. Anyhoo, I’m especially excited about WeWriWa, because it involves sharing snippets of writing, published or unpublished, and since my search for an agent is about as successful as New Coke (if you’re under 40, ask your parents), these posts might be the only time anyone outside my critique group gets to read my work.
For my first post, here are the first 10 sentences of my postapocalyptic short story, “Collateral Damage.” This story won first prize in the short story division of the Arizona Authors Association annual literary contest and is published in the association’s 2021 annual literary magazine.
Here we go. It’s June 21, 2044, 07:10 AM.
Walt picked up the Smith & Wesson Model 17 from his nightstand and slipped it into the cracked leather holster clipped to the waistband of his threadbare jeans. Walt owned many weapons, strategically hidden throughout the airplane hangar he called home, never more than a lunge away. His compound, well-stocked with food, fuel, and weapons, was a prime target. Intruders had been few and far between since the last die-off, so the .22 pistol, along with the Buck folding knife in his front pocket, would suffice for his morning perimeter walk. Neither weapon would be necessary—hadn’t been in months–but Walt didn’t take chances. He believed in insurance.
He paused a few feet outside the hangar doors, blinking in the bright sun of a late June morning, sipping water from the canteen clipped to his belt, and taking stock of the scene before him. It never changed much. Just rust-colored soil, rocks, and a few scrubby plants struggling to survive in the desert grit. Sometimes a lizard darted across his path, and this morning jackrabbit tracks crisscrossed the trail to the bunker.
If you’d like to read the rest, grab a copy (proceeds go to the association) or subscribe to my newsletter for a free copy.
14 Comments
Author Jessica E. Subject
An intriguing beginning! Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
daryldevore
Welcome to the group. I understand about the blog hop addiction and yes – there should be a support group for it – LOL.
Great first excerpt – I could easily see the scene.
Tweeted.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
joylenebutler
Well done, Janet! You pleased all my senses. Looking forward to reading more. Look the vividness of the scene.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
Alexis Duran
Welcome to WWW! Really enjoyed the opening scene. I get the feeling his weapons will be necessary, despite the extended period of calm.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks for the kind words and for stopping by!
Aurora Springer
Welcome! Your snippet gave intriguing hints of his backstory.
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
veronicascott
Welcome to the group! I always enjoy post apocalyptic tales and the snippet was smooth reading…
Janet Alcorn
Thanks!
Victoria Marie Lees
Bravo for winning first prize in the short story division of the Arizona Authors Association annual literary contest, Janet! And from the beginning of Collateral Damage, I can see why. Truly gripping writing. Sense of place, character, troubles. Really, really good! All the luck with your writing endeavors!
Janet Alcorn
Thanks so much for your kind words! And apologies for taking so long to respond. For some reason, WordPress flagged your comment as spam. WordPress is weird.