First Lines
I had such a good writing day that I decided to post a little from my book. It's just short of 45,000 words. (ETA--the book, not the post) (squee!) I did some reshuffling of chapter divisions, and I wanted to get them all straight in my head, so here are the first lines of each chapter, provided that I've actually written them:
Part I: Bluestocking
Chapter One: Sir Henry Blackwater’s library was a source of mingled awe and comfort to his two daughters.
Chapter Two: 'But she’s only two years younger than I am,' Jennet said, looking earnestly at Madam Gilbertson, 'and her French is much better than mine.'
Chapter Three: Sir Henry leaned down and, one by one, took his daughters’ faces in his hands to kiss both their foreheads. 'Do well,' he said, and stood back as they were handed up into the train.
Chapter Four: Hilary Term came in cold and dry with the first real snow of the season, a fine dusting that blew white across the quads and turned black in the streets.
Chapter Five: 'There’s to be a demonstration of new preservative techniques tonight,' Jennet said.
Chapter Six: They came back to find Oxford decked in bright flowers, shining and green and, like Charlotte herself, mostly recovered from the ravages of Hilary Term.
Chapter Seven: The dress was ivory, and that alone made it far more orthodox than her sister’s debut gown.
Chapter Eight: Starts in mid-paragraph
Part II: Town and Gown
Chapter One: It was a gloomy sort of morning, which was the only kind they ever seemed to get in February, and the great echoing space of the Camera felt as cold and hollow as it sounded.
Chapter Two: Charlotte woke late the next morning, a Sunday, to the ringing of church bells from the colleges all around.
Chapter Three: Nothing written
Chapter Four: On a wet and cloudy day just before the start of term, bad news arrived with the morning post.
Chapter Five: Jennet broke the silence, which could not rightly be called shocked--James was merely confused, and their father clearly knew all about this.
Part III: Domina
Chapter One: It was late November, and the sharp wind carried with it the scent and promise of winter, but the crème de la crème of London society merely threw on an extra layer of furs over their finery. Andrew Radcliffe was throwing a ball, and no-one was about to miss it on account of the weather.
Chapter Two: The bell rang. Charlotte scarcely noticed, but a few moments later Hastings rapped at the door.
Chapter Three: 'She won’t be able to come out,' Dupont said as the guard fumbled with the key. 'There’s more than stone and mortar that keeps this place secure.'
Chapter Four: 'I want to find out when the first ferry leaves tomorrow morning.' Charlotte’s fingers were clumsy with exhaustion, and she could not make the clasp of her cloak come undone.
Chapter Five: Nothing written
Chapter Six: 'We need to discuss the practicalities,' James said, with a wary glance in Gordon’s direction.
Chapter Seven: The lantern slipped from her nerveless hand and shattered on the flagstones.
Chapter Eight: Nothing written
I'm feeling very pleased with myself right now.
ETA: Though maybe I talk too much about the weather?
Part I: Bluestocking
Chapter One: Sir Henry Blackwater’s library was a source of mingled awe and comfort to his two daughters.
Chapter Two: 'But she’s only two years younger than I am,' Jennet said, looking earnestly at Madam Gilbertson, 'and her French is much better than mine.'
Chapter Three: Sir Henry leaned down and, one by one, took his daughters’ faces in his hands to kiss both their foreheads. 'Do well,' he said, and stood back as they were handed up into the train.
Chapter Four: Hilary Term came in cold and dry with the first real snow of the season, a fine dusting that blew white across the quads and turned black in the streets.
Chapter Five: 'There’s to be a demonstration of new preservative techniques tonight,' Jennet said.
Chapter Six: They came back to find Oxford decked in bright flowers, shining and green and, like Charlotte herself, mostly recovered from the ravages of Hilary Term.
Chapter Seven: The dress was ivory, and that alone made it far more orthodox than her sister’s debut gown.
Chapter Eight: Starts in mid-paragraph
Part II: Town and Gown
Chapter One: It was a gloomy sort of morning, which was the only kind they ever seemed to get in February, and the great echoing space of the Camera felt as cold and hollow as it sounded.
Chapter Two: Charlotte woke late the next morning, a Sunday, to the ringing of church bells from the colleges all around.
Chapter Three: Nothing written
Chapter Four: On a wet and cloudy day just before the start of term, bad news arrived with the morning post.
Chapter Five: Jennet broke the silence, which could not rightly be called shocked--James was merely confused, and their father clearly knew all about this.
Part III: Domina
Chapter One: It was late November, and the sharp wind carried with it the scent and promise of winter, but the crème de la crème of London society merely threw on an extra layer of furs over their finery. Andrew Radcliffe was throwing a ball, and no-one was about to miss it on account of the weather.
Chapter Two: The bell rang. Charlotte scarcely noticed, but a few moments later Hastings rapped at the door.
Chapter Three: 'She won’t be able to come out,' Dupont said as the guard fumbled with the key. 'There’s more than stone and mortar that keeps this place secure.'
Chapter Four: 'I want to find out when the first ferry leaves tomorrow morning.' Charlotte’s fingers were clumsy with exhaustion, and she could not make the clasp of her cloak come undone.
Chapter Five: Nothing written
Chapter Six: 'We need to discuss the practicalities,' James said, with a wary glance in Gordon’s direction.
Chapter Seven: The lantern slipped from her nerveless hand and shattered on the flagstones.
Chapter Eight: Nothing written
I'm feeling very pleased with myself right now.
ETA: Though maybe I talk too much about the weather?