More than a month ago, I decided to enter Samhain Publishing’s Best First Line contest. You entered by posting the first sentence of your story; then the editors selected entries to go to the next round. Those people posted the second sentence; once again, some were selected to continue to the third round. And so on, through five rounds.

There were initially almost 300 entries; last week, these were narrowed down to 10 winners.

I was one of them. Now I’m invited to submit a synopsis and the first three chapters.

I’m very excited; so is Tony. I entered with the first five lines of his story.

I set aside The Seventh Sense for a little while (I’ll go back and revise it next month) and have been working on something else. Despite my promise to Tony, I haven’t started his story. Perhaps that accounts for the choppy start I have on this story. Oh well. I’ll smooth it out somewhat in the next few days, then wait for some research to arrive.

I will get to you, Tony, I promise!

Lia:

Man: Hey.

Lia: I’m busy . . . whoa! Who are you and what are you doing in my head?

Man: Call me Tony.

Lia: {Thinks this man is beautiful. Tall, dark hair, dark eyes. Yum.} It’s nice to meet you, Tony.

Tony: {Subjects me to careful scrutiny.} I’m glad I’ve got your attention. I want you to tell my story.

Lia: Uh, what?

Tony: You know that story you’ve had simmering in your brain? The one about a woman on the run?

Lia: {Wonders how he knows about it.} Yes.

Tony: I’m the hero. And I gotta tell you, I’m getting impatient for you to start writing it.

Lia: But . . . but . . . I’m working on another story.

Tony: The Seventh Sense. I know. Nice title. But I’m here now.

Lia: {Uh oh.} Um, okay. Hang on a minute. Let me take down some notes. {Gets notebook and pen.} Go ahead.

Tony:

Lia:

Tony: You get all that down?

Lia: Mostly.

Tony: When are you going to start writing it?

Lia: Once I finish this story.

Tony: {Narrows his eyes.} I thought you were going to shift to some other projects.

Lia: I was. I am. But I’ll work your story into my schedule. I promise.

Tony: In between all your other stuff, huh?

Lia: No. Yours will be front and center. I’ll work in the other stuff around you.

Tony: {Nods and looks pleased.} Good.

Lia: You’ll come back, right? When I start working on your story?

Tony: Maybe. If you’re lucky. {Leaves.}

Lia: {Wonders if anyone else wants to come and visit.}