Erica Pike and Poppy Dennison both tagged me in this Lucky Seven meme.  Here are the rules:

1. Go to page 77 (or 7th) of your current ms
2. Go to line 7
3. Copy down the next 7 lines-sentences or paragraphs- and post them as they’re written. No cheating.
4. Tag 7 other authors. No cheating.

It seems like a lot of fun, but before I get into it… I need to lay out a couple of provisos.  First, the only thing I’m really superstitious about is my writing.  This better be a *lucky* thing to do!  Secondly, my current manuscript is in the first draft stage, and because I usually include notes and place holders in the body of my first draft, it’s a complete mess.  So, since I got tagged by 2 authors, I figure I’ll also include lines from a recent submission – that hopefully isn’t a complete mess.  And, of course, I have no guarantee that either of these will end up getting contracted. This might be all you see of them.  But I’m only tagging 7 other authors!

—

First – completely rough, unnamed manuscript.

“We got word that one of the suspected up and comers in ***’s organization has advertised for a roommate.  I want you to get in there and see one – if the connection is real, and two – if you can find some inside information on ***.  If we can’t take him down, we’re going to have more incidents like today.”

Ivan frowned.  “A roommate?  Why on earth would he need a roommate?”

Moffett shrugged.

—

Second – refined submission, working title – Craving

Reason suggested he dial it back, interact like two civil colleagues, but reason was crushed under a rancid tide of anger and regret.  Brandon had done nothing but suppress his feelings since the day he’d been told his hearing would never fully return.  Seeing Oliver again tapped a deep well of bitterness he hadn’t known was festering in his soul, and words spouted from his mouth that his brain tried desperately to abort.

“Can you?  Without getting people hurt or killed?”

Anger added a rosy flush to Oliver’s bronzed cheekbones.  “Injury is a risk.”

—

Gah.  Terrified to post this… so superstitious!