I’m SO excited! I made it into The Writer’s Voice! I can’t tell you how nervous I was, but I’m even more nervous now knowing Brenda Drake, Monica B.W., Krista Van Dolzer, and Cupid are out there scouring the entries for the folks they want on their team.
My fingers are crossed that they like me! I can’t thank them enough for this opportunity! Go to any of their blogs (Brenda Drake Writes, Love YA, Mother. Write. (Repeat.), or Cupid’s Literary Connection) and check out the other entries. I’ve been reading them and there are some amazing writers out there!
Here goes nothing, I give you entry #146, Playing with Fire.
Query:
Seventeen-year-old Pollock Avery can steal anything for anyone. Her electrokinesis allows her to short out security systems with a quick zap, then it’s easy as rolling out of bed to nab a priceless painting. Since her parents’ murders, the money has kept her and her little sister out of the foster system.
When a mysterious new client offers Pollock information about the murders in exchange for stealing exclusively for him, she knows the deal is sketchy. But she can’t resist the allure of finally uncovering the killer and getting revenge. As the heists get riskier, the client grows more deceptive, and Pollock realizes he wants more than art and jewels…he wants the key to her ability.
Ending their arrangement won’t be easy, though. Pollock discovers the client will do anything to obtain the Avery sisters’ abilities, even kill them like he did their parents. When he kidnaps Pollock’s sister, she has to work fast to get her back or lose her forever. Killing a murderer won’t be simple as stealing, but Pollock’s electrokinesis packs a shocking punch.
PLAYING WITH FIRE is a 76,000 word, stand alone Young Adult novel with series potential.
First 250:
The security guard’s heavy thud echoes on the stairs below us. A static buzz fills the air as his radio clicks on.
“This is SG9. Robbery in progress at the James Anderson Museum. Two female suspects headed for the roof.”
“Are you happy now?” I huff. We burst through the roof access door and dash to the edge. The scarf covering my mouth and nose muffles my voice. “On my back, Rem.”
My sister climbs on and digs her heels into my side. I twist my long ponytail over my shoulder so she won’t use it as reins. The last time she did that I expected to be bald when we landed. I imagine my body is a spring, picturing shiny metal coils squishing against one another. My muscles contract. Tension builds.
A deep breath and…release!
Together, Rem and I leap through the night sky. I look back as the guard runs on the roof. I don’t know if he saw us jump, but right now I need to focus on the landing. I shot too far.
Gritting my teeth, I try to pull back, but it’s too late. We slam into a tall oak tree in the park a mile or so from the museum. Sharp pain shoots through my left shoulder, twigs scratch my face. I’m wedged between two small limbs. Loud cracks of splitting wood cut through the silent park as Rem tumbles off my back and falls through the branches. She better hold on to the backpack.
Sounds like a fun adventure story— a good read! Good luck in the competition!
Anne (#102)
I’ve read the whole book and I really enjoyed it. I hope to see it on shelves!!
-Phillip
I am excited about this one! Sounds like a great adventure story!
Pingback: The NEW Face of the Writer. « murphyslawless
I really like this, it sounds really good! Good luck in the competition!
-Alex (85)
Thanks guys! Your comments are encouraging! : )
Yay! I’ll be rooting for you, and watching to see what happens. If your writing is anything like your blog, you’ll do well. Go get ’em!
Thanks for the support!
Oh, WOW! This sounds so much fun–the premise promises action, mystery, and adventure, and the excerpt definitely delivers! Best of luck!
what a great idea! good luck to you!
Love the voice here! 🙂
I like the voice of the 250! Fun. I’m definitely intrigued by the storyline. Good luck to you!
Fabulous, exciting opening! Good luck!!!
Interesting concept. And I love her name! Good luck.
Love it so far! Congrats on making it in and good luck to you from #145 🙂
Love the concept. And the action in the beginning really drew me in.
Good luck!
I’ve loved your query/concept since I first read a few bits and pieces on AW! I don’t know how an agent hasn’t already gobbled this one up, but I wish the best of luck.
Good luck!
Loved the voice and the action! Great job, and good luck!!
Oh my gosh! I LOVED THIS! I want to read the book. Now. Your voice is so clear. Your prose perfect. I laughed out loud at the bald line. You can’t not get picked!
-#122
I love the concept. This looks great. Good luck!
Wow. I just want to tell everyone how much I appreciate your comments. After going on the roller coaster ride that is querying, it feels really good to read all the nice things you have to say. Thank you SO much, and good luck to all the other entrants!
I’m loving your MC already! This sounds like a great story. GL!
Fantastic story idea! I love a good thief, and with the murder mystery and magic, the story sounds like a lot of fun!
This sounds really fun, and I thought the query was GREAT!
Allie S #137
Good luck!
Laughed out loud at ‘pigtails as reins’ – great voice! Good luck!!
Ferris #175
Sounds like a lot of fun. Good luck!
I want you! I love this concept–it reminds me of a fantastical UNCOMMON CRIMINALS–and the voice fits the story well. I don’t normally like first pages that dump us into the middle of action scenes, but this one reads so smoothly and has the perfect amount of character development. We’re getting to know the characters even as we flee the museum with them, and that bodes well for the rest of the manuscript. It makes me believe that you can weave plot AND character development into every scene.
I have a few light line edits I’d suggest, but other than those, I think your query and first page are in fantastic shape. Pick me, pick me! I’d love to work with you and PLAYING WITH FIRE.
P.S. I love Pollock’s name as well. Did her parents name her after Jackson Pollock? The fact that she’s an art thief made me wonder…
Eeeee!! Oh wow, thank you so much!!! *happy dancing*
And yes, the name is from Jackson Pollock. : )
Hey, I’m the one happy-dancing. As I mentioned above, I love both the concept and the voice. They’re a one-two punch.
P.S. It’s good to know I still remember something from my AP Art History class:)
Well Sarah, you’ve got at least one team! I am so excited for you. I can’t wait to see how far you make it. Best of luck, you deserve it, even if the leg brace is on. Hopefully this good news will dull the pain some. Just don’t jump and down on that bad leg, Mm’kay. 🙂
This is great!! The premise sounds like a lot of fun and your MC has great voice! (hopefully I am not posting twice)
I’m so glad this made it in! Pollock seems like a great character I can root for!
Congrats on getting picked! Great story! -April, #61
Thanks guys! I’m so excited! Good luck to everyone!
Congratulations on being picked! Your book sounds fabulous! It looks like we might end up on the same team! 🙂
Thanks! You too! Go (maybe) teammates!
Congrats on making it in! I remember this query from AW and always thought it sounded like so much fun.
Dahlia, I tried commenting on yours but wasn’t able to (or maybe I did and you have an inbox full of them, haha!). I thought yours had great voice and I love the MC’s perspective. Good luck!
Congrats on getting picked! I loved reading your first 250! Intriguing concept as well! WVC #28
Congratulations and Good luck!
Hi SF, I’m visiting your blog from the Writer’s Voice Contest (entry #58), and I wanted to wish you the best of luck! Nice to meet you.
Also, congrats on Krista picking your entry!
Hey guys, thanks so much! I’m just overwhelmed by the support. : )
Congrats on getting picked! This sounds fantastic! And it totally reminds me of UNCOMMON CRIMALS too 😀
Wow, congrats on getting picked! As I read your query, I was thinking, “I bet I’ll see a comment from one of the judges” and I did! Nice job, I love the concept 🙂 Seems like a very exciting mystery! Congrats!
SC (#159)
What a great opening! Loved the premise and your 250. And congrats on getting picked for a team!! 🙂
Ashley #78
Thanks everyone!
SC and Ashley, I tried commenting on yours but I don’t know if it worked. SC, you have such a cool premise. Ashley I love your imagery, I can practically smell the leather saddle. Good luck to all!
An interesting take on “doing the wrong thing for the right reasons”. And a nice little twist in the query, just as I was donning my righteous indignation you throw in that her thievery is to keep her and her sister out of foster care. Now I’m sitting with an intriguing mix of indignation and pity – precisely the kind of stuff I like to pose myself. Good luck.
Such a strong voice. I’d love to see more.
Tina (#194)
SOOO not surprised on this one getting picked! I love this premise and the excerpt. Congratulations!
Congratulations!! Good luck from here on out!
Summer – #40
Thank you all! Even though I’ve already been picked, I still jump at every comment notification because reading your comments makes me smile so much.
Congrats on making it and getting picked! Saw your link in the YA Blogroll on AW. This is a super first page! I’d read on.
@jsschley
Congrats on getting picked!
~Nicole, entry 68
Hi Sarah! Looks like we might be on the same team. Love the concept for PLAYING WITH FIRE. I read your other post on the contest and totally agree. What a great experience!
-Michelle, #75
Congrats on getting picked! Love your thief! Brandi #199
Way to go! Good luck to you and Pollock- I’m cheering for you both! #163
What a start! 🙂 Best of luck!
Thank you everyone! This entire process has been so enthralling and such a wonderful experience. : )
Told ya you’d get in! 🙂
Welcome to Team Krista!
Thanks Ryan!! I absolutely love yours and can’t wait til it gets published and I can read the whole thing! Go Team Krista!