Tuesday, June 23, 2009

Two Line Tuesday

It's been a while since I participated in Two Line Tuesday so here goes.

Two lines I've read this week ...


The mysterious man in the black wool coat sat in the front row of the Princess Theater, precisely in the center seat. He set his top hat on his knees, and his rough beard straggled down, like a bird's nest after a storm.



These particular lines are the first two sentences of Magickeepers by Erica Kirov. Erica Kirov is actually the pseudonym for Erica Orloff. If you do not read her blog, you should be.



And from a short story I've been working on this week ...

Jack Teague was Red Dirt, Oklahoma's first murder victim in pert near thirteen years, but that had little to do with every one's surprise. Matter of fact , the whole damn town had expected someone to shoot the bastard long before now.


Speaking of short stories. You can still read my latest over at Beat To Pulp. Thanks to all who already have and took the time to comment either here on my blog or over at BTAP.

And as always check out the Women of Mystery blog to see what others have read and written this week.

14 comments:

Teresa said...

Hi Travis,

I like the lines you wrote, but I am curious as to what it means when you call someone Red Dirt.

Teresa

David Cranmer said...

"Jack Teague was Red Dirt." Me gusta!

Eric said...

I had no idea that was Erica's book. I'll have to check it out, since I find her to be a very talented and intelligent author. Thanks for the info, Travis.

Being Beth said...

Good post. I always find it interesting how two good lines from a book will sell me on it.

Clare2e said...

I had heard good things about that book already, and a couple of nice lines get me right into wanting to read it for myself. I always enjoy reading about the bastards that someone shoulda shot beforehand.

Clare2e said...

I meant in addition to Erica's 2, I ALSO enjoy reading about the Erwin Factory brand of bastards. Clear as mud, right?

Lois Karlin said...

What a great story setup. Your stuff is noir all right.

And that's a compelling story over on Beat to a Pulp. I like "All Nick had left were the clothes on his back, the bottle of Cuervo, and the dice in his pocket. If he finished off the booze he would cut his assets by a third, and Nick had already lost enough."

Barbara Martin said...

The two lines from Erica's new book are compelling, as are your own, Travis. A perfect beginning for a western short story.

Unknown said...

Honestly? I LOVE the one from your short story. That is funny!

Charles Gramlich said...

I like the set up in your piece. Lots of potential suspects there.

Travis Erwin said...

Teresa and David. Actually Red Dirt is the name of the town in Oklahoma. I created the fictional town for Plundered Booty but thought I'd use it again.

Scott D. Parker said...

Loved the sarcasm of your second line: Matter of fact , the whole damn town had expected someone to shoot the bastard long before now. It's like "Well, SOMEone had to do it." Muy bueno.

Cloudia said...

Love your lines, Travis. There is life in your writing.

Aloha

Comfort Spiral

Mr. Shife said...

Pert near. Now that something I have not heard in a long, long time, and I was glad to read it here. Good stuff Travis.