Melissa Barker-Simpson

Lucky 7, or is it a lemon? (Just go with it)

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First things first – my current project. Mishka Jenkins kindly included me in a little game called Lucky 7. Here are the rules of the challenge:

The Rules: 
Go to page 7 or 77 in your current WIP.
Go to line 7
Post on your blog the next 7 sentences or 7 lines —as they are!
Tag 7 people and do the same.
You can choose between page 7 or 77.

The following is taken from page 7, line 7, and, yes, you guessed it, has 7 lines.

“Protected me from what exactly?” I asked, rising to walk to her.
She didn’t answer right away. She took my hand and traced a fingertip over the scar on my forearm. “From the people who would hurt you because of who you are.”
My heart began to thud in my chest. Not because I was afraid of what or who was coming for me, my father had prepared me for that. It was the thought of losing my identity that terrified me the most.

For the game to continue, I must tag seven others, so here they are:

Trent P. McDonald

Paul Whitberg

Chris Musgrave

Silverleaf

Cheryl A. Showers

Bastet and Sekhmet’s Library

Christine Fichtner

Some of the people I’ve tagged might not be in the middle of writing, editing or polishing a novel, so in the spirit of inclusion, if you want to take part – use line 7 from your WIP and give us 7 wonderful lines of whatever that project may be 🙂

That’s it as far as the game goes, I hope you enjoyed the little snippet.

But, before you go, I would like to ask your advice about the cover for my upcoming novel Hands of Evil. I’m having real issues creating a cover I’m happy with, and since I don’t have time for a course on graphic design, I’ve had to fumble my way through some of the editing software out there. I’d be grateful for any feedback you can give.

Here goes…

cover idea 3

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for reading.

Mel

11 responses to “Lucky 7, or is it a lemon? (Just go with it)”

  1. callummclaughlin Avatar
    callummclaughlin

    That snippet is amazing! It’s cool that selecting a random section ended up being one so intriguing; it could have been hand-picked to showcase your WIP 🙂

    As for the cover art, before I even read that you wanted feedback on it, I said to myself that it looked really good, so I guess that gives you my answer 🙂

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      Thanks, Callum I’m really excited about Worlds Apart, so to know you liked the view of what I’m working on has cranked my motivation level through the roof! I’m halfway through the second edit, and it isn’t exactly smooth sailing 😉 I needed a kick though, as one of my Beta Readers is tapping her virtual foot, waiting for me to get it across to her before she gets too busy! I can’t tell you how much I appreciate the encouragement, well obviously I can, but it never seems enough for all the support you give.

      Which leads me onto the cover. Thanks for the feedback on it. Since it’s the second in the series I wanted it to be similar to Sins of the Father, but I couldn’t find an appropriate image so went in a different direction. I’m glad you like it.

      Have a great weekend 🙂
      Mel

      Reply
      1. callummclaughlin Avatar
        callummclaughlin

        It definitely sounds like something I want to check out. I’ll need to be sure and read Sins of the Father before Worlds Apart is released. 🙂

        I know how scary it can be putting part of your work out there before it’s finished so good on you for being so brave as well.

      2. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        When you have the time I’d love for you to read Sins of the Father, I still feel bad that your first impression was The Conduit! 😉 But Sins is actually the prequel to Hands of Evil. Not that you have to read one before the other; I tried to make them stand alone. Worlds Apart is the first in a series – I’m thinking of calling this one Outlanders, but it’s a working title, so who knows!

        Anyway, enough about me! Will you be taking part in the Lucky 7 game? I’m excited to learn more about your WIP 🙂

      3. callummclaughlin Avatar
        callummclaughlin

        I think you give The Conduit a hard time 😉 I found it both intriguing and charming; the friendships were some of the strongest and most realistic I had read in a long time.

        They are definitely on my to read list. I’ll be sure and let you know when I get to them, which will hopefully be soon 🙂

        I’m hoping to take part in Lucky 7, I just need to find the time! Juggling it all is something I’m sure you can relate to 😉

      4. mbarkersimpson Avatar
        mbarkersimpson

        Indeed 🙂 I look forward to the sneak peak when you get to it.

        There’s no pressure about reading the books. My own reading list is growing, so I can appreciate you probably have quite a mountain going too 😉

        Knowing your thoughts on the Conduit (thanks for that by the way), I would recommend you start with the Missing Link. I think you’ll like it. Then again, feel free to completely ignore me because Sins is a thriller and I know you enjoy the genre!

        Anyway, that’s it for me tonight. My eyes are burning from too much time at the computer screen!

      5. callummclaughlin Avatar
        callummclaughlin

        I’ll probably take your advice on that and start with The Missing Link 🙂 But yes, I have an actual pile of books sitting looking at me as we speak!

        Have a good weekend!

  2. trentpmcd Avatar
    trentpmcd

    I like your cover quite a bit and I enjoyed the little snippet.

    Thanks for including me in the game! I’m on vacation right now but do have a draft of my WIP – not the latest. I’m not sure I’ll play along – I’ll admit that the hardest part is thinking of 7 other writers to invite.

    Just for a taste, particularly if I don’t play, here are 7 lines starting on the 7th line of the 7th page of “The Fireborn” =

    I think I know where your cauldron comes from. Do you want to hear?”

    “Sure,” answered William. “It’ll take my mind off of it while I wait. Go ahead and fill my brain with your gobbly-goop.”

    “Thanks for your vote of confidence,” Elliot chuckled. “You sound just like dad. As far as your pot goes, you may not remember my book ‘Celtic Occult and Art’. I think you hated it at the time.

    – I cheated a little – I completed the sentences on either side and included spaces between paragraphs as lines.

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      Oh, that’s a great taster, it would be a shame not to share it. But I’m glad you shared it with me – it certainly left me wanting more. I want to hear where the cauldron came from 🙂

      Thanks for your feedback on the cover. I really appreciate it.

      Reply
  3. jannatwrites Avatar
    jannatwrites

    Intriguing sample of your WIP. This part hints that there is much at stake.

    I think your cover looks good… I’m no good at using graphic software so I couldn’t be of assistance anyway!

    Reply
    1. mbarkersimpson Avatar
      mbarkersimpson

      Thanks, Janna – I appreciate the feedback. I’m still working on the cover but it’s improving! I’m trying to force myself back to the WIP because I’ve found a distraction and the pull to a new story is always strong !

      Reply

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I’m Melissa

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