A while back, I was tagged by KindredSpirit23 in the Rule of 7 game. I really have to work on my running skills. I’m too easily tagged these days. 
This game may seem familiar—it’s very similar to the Lucky 7 Meme. The omnipresent rules are:
1) Go to page 7 or 77 of your current WIP.
2) Count down 7 lines.
3) Quote the next 7 lines (finish the thought, if you need to)
4) Choose 7 more authors to play
So here we go. Since I’m just about ready to send this WIP to beta readers, here are eight sentences from Page 7 of Summer at the Crossroads that form a cohesive passage.
“What a cool idea. If I did take that job somewhere else, maybe I’m living in Paris with a tall handsome Frenchman for a husband and working as a translator. Then I could make everybody jealous when I jet in with mon cher mari for our high school reunion next year and tell them all about our vacations in Monte Carlo.”
Susan chuckled as she tossed back the last of her margarita. “Now there’s a fantasy I’d like to live out in one of those other universes. Come on, Cath. Finish up your god-awful drink, and let’s go eat. We can talk more over dinner. I’m starving.”
I’m a bit pressed for time as I write this post. I thought I was coming down with a cold earlier this week, but the way things are going, it’s more likely a sinus infection. I’ve fallen behind on life as a result (and because I’ve been focusing on preparing Crossroads to send to my betas). So if you’re a writer who would like to share a few lines of a WIP with your readers, please consider yourself tagged with the Rule of 7. Heck, by the power of the Internet, I hereby tag EVERYONE reading this blog who has a short story, novel, or memoir in the works!
Have a great weekend!
Carrie Rubin
/ February 2, 2013Hope you feel better soon. Maybe you can take ton cher mari to Paris.
jmmcdowell
/ February 2, 2013I had one of these infections last winter, too. I think the dry air really gets to me. I might try a saline spray like WebMD suggested.
Mon cher mari might not enjoy such a trip. During World War II, a relative of his was mugged and severely beaten while stationed in France. He was left with lifelong brain injuries that kept him in a nursing home. The family was never fond of the French after that. Of course, the same thing could happen here or anywhere.
Carrie Rubin
/ February 2, 2013Oh, that’s terrible. But indeed the same thing could happen here. Only here, guns are much more likely to be involved.
annewoodman
/ February 2, 2013I guess that’s what makes finishing a novel so… well, novel. There are so many things that get in our way! I hope you feel better and get Summer out to readers soon, JM!
jmmcdowell
/ February 2, 2013I should have the “out loud” edits finished this afternoon. Then I’ll compile a version into Word from Scrivener. And then I gulp and send out my emails asking if readers are ready for it.
Sinus infections are a pain because they can hang on a lot longer than cold, even though the symptoms might not be as bad. I’m hoping it won’t be too long, though!
Robin Jean Marie
/ February 2, 2013You’re cute, JM. Best of luck catching up on life.
jmmcdowell
/ February 2, 2013Thanks, Robin.
I think I’m hitting a writing groove again, and I’ve got my fingers crossed it doesn’t stop for a long while. I really want this to be the year I’m either published or well on the way!
Elliot
/ February 2, 2013My writing seems to be on hold at the moment. Anyhoo hope you get well soon!
jmmcdowell
/ February 2, 2013Thanks, Elliot! I’ve been out of a good writing groove for a while, so I’m glad to be hitting my stride again. Sometimes we need a break, and sometimes life intervenes. If the sinuses clear in the next week or so, I’ll be very happy.
andy1076
/ February 2, 2013This really is neat, One more idea among the many awards in the WP world eh
jmmcdowell
/ February 2, 2013I think I see a new award out there just about every week.
But they’re fun, and I like these that let us showcase some of our writing. I wouldn’t mind if it led a few folks to buy the books when they’re ready. 
char
/ February 2, 2013I love reading these tag posts to get a sample of WIP’s. Of course, I already have a good idea of your writing from Meghan’s stories, but it’s still tons of fun.
jmmcdowell
/ February 2, 2013I totally agree, as you can see from my response to Andy above. The funny thing is, I think all my WIPs have somewhat different voices. But I hope they all share good stories, engaging characters, and good enough writing to keep the readers interested.
Kourtney Heintz
/ February 2, 2013Very intriguing lines there JM. I want to hear more. I really like the relationship between these two characters. I live by my netipot and humidifier. Otherwise my sinuses are always acting up.
jmmcdowell
/ February 2, 2013Our humidifiers have been working overtime the last few days with the cold snap. When we owned homes, we had whole-house humidifiers that were lifesavers. They are really worth the investment. While we’re renting for a spell, though, no such luck.
We’ll see how this round of beta reading goes for this manuscript. Right now, I’m thinking this could be the first one I publish, especially going the indie route. But it has to be ready.
Kourtney Heintz
/ February 9, 2013The indie route is really empowering. A little scary to be in charge of everything but also so liberating. I think you’ll be great at it. It’s clear that you’ve taken your time to develop the story and make sure it’s something readers will enjoy.
cup112278
/ February 2, 2013I love reading your posts. So, I have nominated you for the Very Inspiring Blogger Award. Congratulations and I look forward to reading more of your posts. http://kimberlymellor.wordpress.com/2013/02/03/very-inspiring-blogger-award/
jmmcdowell
/ February 3, 2013Why thank you so much!
It’s always nice to know that people are enjoying what I write. Sometimes it takes me a while to get to those award acceptances, but I will do it. 
cup112278
/ February 4, 2013No worries…this was my first one and I learned they take a bit of work!
diannegray
/ February 3, 2013Very nicely done, JM
I really hope you don’t have a sinus infection. Yuck – I get them and their godawful!
jmmcdowell
/ February 3, 2013Thanks, Dianne!
This really doesn’t feel like a cold, so I think it’s one of those nasty-hang-on-forever-type-sinusitis-events. Definitely yuck. The whole front of my face around my nose feels swollen. I hate dry air!
diannegray
/ February 3, 2013OUCH!
Arlene
/ February 3, 2013Feel better!!!!!
jmmcdowell
/ February 3, 2013Thanks, Arlene! Meghan at least cooperated for writing Tuesday’s episode.
Arlene
/ February 4, 2013yeah! That’s great to hear
4amWriter
/ February 3, 2013I’m ready!
I hope you feel better soon. I wonder if I have a sinus infection, too. I have never gone to a doctor to see — but I have had congestion since before Christmas! I assumed it was simply a result of the dry air, but I don’t think I ever realized dry air can cause a sinus infection. I gather it’s not treatable with meds — just the ol’ humidifier?
jmmcdowell
/ February 3, 2013It’s the usual “bacterial vs. viral” illness. If it’s a bacterial infection, antibiotics can help. But most are viral, and so nothing really “cures” them except time. I’ve learned their common after colds, so I guess those colds that “hang on forever” have probably morphed into an infection.
Definitely the dry air will dry out the linings and make them more susceptible to infection. I really miss the whole-house humidifiers we had when we owned. They are so worth the investment (which isn’t high as home improvements go). I’m convinced they’re the main reason my husband and I didn’t get so many colds before the winter of 2010!
4amWriter
/ February 3, 2013Well, mine must be viral. I had strep over Christmas and took amoxicillan–which would have wiped out any other infection going on. I didn’t know that they are common post-cold. Ugh. I also didn’t know about whole-house humidifiers. I will have to look into that for my home!
Thanks, Doc.
jmmcdowell
/ February 3, 2013Ack, amoxicillin! I’d be breaking out in hives. That’s one I’m allergic to.
Keeping that indoor humidity between 30 and 40 percent is the comfort zone. We are not there, and I am not comfortable.
robincoyle
/ February 3, 2013So sorry to hear you aren’t feeling well. I feel like I’m coming down with something too. Ugh. Not again.
I’ve tried this Rule of 7 thing several times and all I come up with is boring. I like your Paris fantasy.
jmmcdowell
/ February 3, 2013Everyone seems to be feeling under the weather these days. There must be more than the flu going around.
I suspect we wouldn’t be bored with your sentence. But I was lucky that page 7 did hold some of the ideas behind the book in the dialogue. Page 77 was a major plot give away, and I couldn’t post that!
Susan loves all things French, at least in some universes.
limebirdwriters
/ February 4, 2013Feel better!
Beth
jmmcdowell
/ February 4, 2013Thanks, Beth!
Hopefully soon.
Mayumi-H
/ February 4, 2013Yuck for sinus infections!
I’d like to read the parts around that little excerpt. Cath and Susan sound like best buds still in their prime, looking for adventure. Do they find it, I wonder?
I both enjoy and dread getting tagged for memes and awards. They make me feel good (hey! somebody’s actually following me!), but they also distract a bit from my work and writing. This is a fun one, though…and I’m happy to see more of your original characters at play!
jmmcdowell
/ February 4, 2013They are definitely best buds and, depending on your definition of prime, can still be in it.
I sent the manuscript off to two betas this morning, and I’m nervously hoping they’ll like it. Undoubtedly there’s still work ahead, but I need the objective feedback from those fresh eyes. 
I really hope I can finalize it this year. My characters have really been patient with me. Maybe more so than they should have been. 
Sheila
/ February 4, 2013I like the dialogue in your excerpt. It gives a good sense of the characters and the relationship, all in just a few words and that’s hard to do. Hope you feel better! Too much fluish stuff going around this winter.
jmmcdowell
/ February 4, 2013Thanks, Sheila.
These two have been friends for years, and I’m glad to hear their dialogue comes across that way. Admittedly, I’m biased, but I really love the idea behind this book, and I want to write it well and have an audience enjoy it, too. We’ll see what the betas think! 
philosophermouseofthehedge
/ February 6, 2013It funny how much bloggerland inhabitants share beside blogging: saline spray, neti pots, humidifiers – and sneezes. I’m feeling like joining the living again and hope you are better, too – the weather there looks dreadfully cold.
You have to admit the awards creators are getting inventive. Like other I feel awards are nice – but they do take up so much time. Anyway, Congrats! Enjoyed the 7 lines – great characters and now intrigued with the story.
And congrats for getting the manuscript of for beta reading.
jmmcdowell
/ February 6, 2013It seems like almost everyone I know is or has been under the weather lately. I’m better than I was last week, but sinus infections can take a month to run their course. So I suspect I’ll be dealing with symptoms for a while longer. We’re warming up a bit into the 40s, and I really hope that nasty storm stays north of us!
Saturday’s post will talk more about this particular story. I really want it to be good because I think the idea is great. I’m very grateful my Muse helped these characters reach me to tell it.
Denise Hisey
/ February 9, 2013How fun, and intriguing to drop in the middle of the story! Love it!
jmmcdowell
/ February 9, 2013Now I’ve got my fingers crossed that my beta readers enjoy all the pieces that go around this!