Kate Warren

fiction with humor and heart

  • Home
  • Blog
  • Author Bio
  • Bookshelf
  • Contact Kate
  • Exclusive Excerpt!
  • A Guide to NaNo Genres
  • Image Galleries
  • Links
Excerpt

WeWriWa Sept 24, 2022

9/24/2022

4 Comments

 
What is WeWriWa, you ask? I'll tell you. It's a blog hop specifically for writers who want to share short snippets of their work. It stands for Weekend Writing Warriors. Click the image below to visit the home blog and discover your next favorite author.
Picture
We left Maja in a cave, snuggling her frightened little cousin. This week we meet her aunt Asgrid. They have learned that Asgrid's husband has was killed in the raid, and that Jorgen's men are helping to fix shelter for the survivors, as night is coming on.
​

     “He has gone,” Lady Asgrid said, knowing her niece no longer slept.
     Maja opened her eyes but did not try to move. “Thank you, aunt.”
     “I do not agree that it is best to keep your identity a secret,” Asgrid chided gently. “But I will do so—for a time—because you ask it of me. Here, let me take her.” Bending to take the child from Maja, Asgrid pressed a light kiss to her niece’s head. “Now sleep. You will want all of your strength on the morrow.”
     Maja settled more comfortably now that she could move the arm which had gone numb from the slight weight of her little cousin.


​
More, if you like...a bit of Maja's thoughts as she tries to settle and sleep:

     Tears came unbidden at the thought of her fierce yet kind uncle. Hjelmar had at first frightened her, but once he had caught her sneaking a treat and sneaked one along with her, a mischievous gleam in his eyes and a grin beneath his great red beard, she had known him for a kindred spirit and a powerful ally in any and all kitchen raids she might wish to conduct. He had even once allowed her to don his helm as they “pillaged” the larder. The only condition ever laid upon these ventures was that Maja not say a word to her Aunt Asgrid about them. 

Hjelmar was brother to Maja's mother. He was jarl of the village, and leaves behind six children, the eldest of which is a girl of fifteen.

That's all for me this week. I'm looking forward to reading everybody's posts.

Kate

4 Comments

WeWriWa Sept, 17, 2022

9/17/2022

9 Comments

 
Weekend Writing Warriors is my favorite blog hop, maybe because it's the only one I've ever participated in. Click the image below to visit the WeWriWa blog and find links to all the authors who take part.
Picture

​Last weekend we left off with a servant insisting that Maja had to rest, so Jorgen had to stop asking questions. This week we skip a bit to Maja's thoughts after Jorgen has left the cave.

​
If only she had thought as far as Morgyt looking for her in this village! If she had gone anywhere else, all these people might now be safe. 
     A voice in her head told her that she had saved lives, and that should count for something, but she could not help fearing that the entire village was a ruin now, and far more lives lost because of her presence. Her aunt and uncle would never have turned her away, but she might have found another place to hide, and they might live yet. Of course she did not know that they were dead. It only seemed likely. Her uncle would have fought, of that she had no doubt. Her aunt might have run to safety.
     Maja beat her fists on the ground and let one tear fall down her cheek. If she had not stumbled over that root, she would at least be able to help search for others, and tend to the wounded.
​
​

The rest of the scene follows, if you would like to read it.

As it was, she could only lie by the fire and wait for news to be brought. Perhaps she would not have been of much help, but anything would be better than being forced to wait and watch, unable to even rise from the pile of furs in which she had been deposited.
     "Maja?" a small, thin voice called.
     "I am here, dumpling." She called back, reaching a hand out to the youngest of her cousins. "What news?"
     The little girl shook her head, but took the offered hand and sat near her. "None yet. Do you think Papa and mama..." she could not finish the question.
     "We must have hope, little one." Maja pulled her close and placed a kiss on her soft golden hair.  "They will be found."
      "What if they are not?" tears sparkled in Dagmar's eyes.
     Maja fought back a wave of grief; it was like her parents' deaths all over again. "Then you shall live with me, and I shall care for you." She snuggled the girl closer and prayed her aunt and uncle would be found alive.


That's my contribution for the weekend. See you around the 'hop.

Kate


9 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors, Sept 10, 2022

9/10/2022

5 Comments

 
Welcome to my favorite blog hop, where writers around the net share 8-10 sentences from one of their works and go around visiting each other's websites because it's fun!
Picture
Last week, we left off with Jorgen having met Maja, a lady with a head injury and a secret. In the extra I posted it was revealed that Maja was not in the capital city when Morgyt the Wolf struck, but her immediate family was. Her husband and parents were killed. 

​This week's snippet picks up there:
​
     “And your brother?” he asked, suspicions forming in his mind.
     “A band of men smuggled the prince out of the city.” Finally, she looked up. “My brother was with them.”
     “The prince—what of the princess?” Jorgen asked. “It has been nigh on six months. Have you no word of her?”
     “No more questions.” The servant nearly shouted. “My lady must rest.”
​

Nothing extra this time. Next weekend we'll switch to Maja's POV. Can't wait to read everyone else's snippets!

Kate

5 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors, Sept 3&4, 2022

9/3/2022

16 Comments

 
It's that time of weekend again, where writers can share 8-10 sentences of one of their works in a blog hop and support one another with insightful and encouraging comments. Click the banner below to visit the WeWriWa blog and find your new favorite authors.
​

Picture

​
​Last week we met Jorgen from Hilvard. He and his men have been tracking their enemies from Berunia. Unfortunately for the people of Islak's coastal village of Lundrskag, the baddies are faster than the good guys from Hilvard. Skipping ahead a little, we're going to meet Maja, an Islaker woman with a secret.

   The lady allowed Jorgen to examine her head and answered his questions as best she could: her name was Maja; she was in a village on the coast of Islak visiting family, but lived farther inland in the town of Lenuka. And while he held up three fingers, his companion was holding two up behind his head. That made her smile a bit, and had Jorgen turning to swat away the hand of the offending wretch. “Your head will ache for a few days, and you may bear a scar, but you shall live, Maja.”
     “Tell me, Jorgen Andriksson,” she began, “does my—does the jarl of this village live? Are the family safe?
     “I know not, lady. My men are searching for survivors.” Jorgen hastened to tell her. Looking at the people huddled in the cave he addressed them: “The Berunians are gone from this place. ..."


More of the scene, if you'd like to read...


     "...If you wish to help in the search, you may do so without fear. None of my people will harm you.”
     An old woman came forward, grasped his hand, and kissed it. “Lord bless you, Jorgen Andriksson!”
     The people shuffled out, nodding in deference to the injured lady who lay still by the fire. Her servant bustled about her, tucking the blanket more firmly, offering a bit of broth which was refused.
     The lady fixed Jorgen with an intent stare. “What are your dealings with the Berunians?”
     “You waste no time.” Jorgen almost smiled. “I seek to put an end to Morgyt’s false dealings and ambitions. He has harassed my people, my lands too long. I am sorry that I could provide the people of this village with no warning, but I looked for him to attack elsewhere.”
     “Morgyt.” The woman spat out the name. “He has killed many, and knows no remorse. Any foe of Morgyt’s is an ally to me.” She declared boldly.
      Jorgen’s gaze probed hers. “What has he done to you?”
    Maja’s eyes dropped to her hands. “There are those I loved who have perished because of his schemes. I am an orphan and a widow, thanks to Morgyt. Of close family all that remains to me is a brother, and I know not where he is, or if he still lives.”
     Comprehension apparent in his eyes, Jorgen spoke again. “You were in Lenuka when he struck.” It was no question, and yet she answered him.
     “No. I was here. My family sent me to my uncle, fearing an open attack from Morgyt’s forces. I had word later of my parents’ deaths, and my husband’.” Still, she would not meet his gaze.



That's all for this week. I have posted the entire first chapter of my humor novel North Pole: Confidential on the Exclusive Excerpt page. I'd love some feedback on it if anyone has the time and the inclination.

I look forward to reading all my fellow-writer's posts this weekend. :)

Kate


16 Comments

    RSS Feed

    Archives

    April 2025
    June 2024
    May 2024
    June 2023
    April 2023
    February 2023
    January 2023
    December 2022
    November 2022
    October 2022
    September 2022
    August 2022
    January 2022
    December 2021
    November 2020
    September 2020
    March 2020
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    May 2016
    March 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    October 2015
    August 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012
    July 2012
    June 2012
    May 2012
    April 2012
    March 2012
    February 2012
    January 2012
    December 2011
    November 2011
    October 2011
    September 2011
    July 2011
    June 2011
    May 2011
    April 2011
    March 2011
    February 2011
    January 2011

    Categories

    All
    Austen
    Authors
    Autism
    Baking
    Current Events
    Dogs
    Giveaway
    History
    Holidays
    Illness
    Insomnia
    Inspiration
    Interview
    Kids
    Love
    Lucky 7
    Meme
    Movies
    Nanowrimo
    Random
    Reading
    Six Sentence Sundays
    Ten Questions
    The Write Stuff
    Time
    Valentine's Day
    Weather
    Weekend Writing Warriors
    Weekend Writing Warriors
    Women
    Write Club
    Writing


Proudly powered by Weebly

Layout design by Stephanie Blantin