The shooter relaxed and watched the rain collect on the windshield as the wiper blades paused for a few seconds between cycles. First it was images, then text. It was like e-mails appearing on the screen of her computer but now they were appearing on the windshield right before her eyes. No time to read them as the wipers cleared them away with each wave. Always changing, more messages and no time to read nor savor them.
“Did my targets realize their own frailty, their vulnerability, their mortality? Were they able to adjust the length of time the blades of fate hesitate between each event?”
The light changed, the pace of the rain quickened and without a thought, her hand came up, her finger touched the lever, and the wipers went from intermittent to regular speed—with no pauses.
The Back story:
This week’s snippet features the last eight sentences of The Tourist Killer. The narrator once again refers to her as “the shooter,” rather than by name. How easy will it be for her to be Claudia for a year rather than “the shooter?”
The sequel, A Year Without Killing opens with Claudia walking towards her favorite Irish pub in Manhattan. The rain has gone and the sidewalk is wet.
What next?
This will be my last snippet until January. A Year Without Killing begins it’s “two chapters a week” serial run at VentureGalleries.com on Sunday, Dec. 7. Every spare moment I have between now and New Years will be spent working on future chapters. My fourth book is in the planning stages and will be titled, Transfer the Dragon.
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25 responses to “The Tourist Killer’s last eight sentences”
Teresa Cypher
November 25th, 2014 at 11:55
I like that you’re delving just a bit into the psychology of the assassin. And it made me wonder if male and female assassins mentally approach their jobs differently. I like when a book makes me think.
We’ll miss ya, Chip. Happy writing! And Happy Thanksgiving!
caitlinstern
November 23rd, 2014 at 23:36
Very philosophical. Controlling lives like those wiper blades.
Linda Hamonou
November 23rd, 2014 at 22:36
I don’t think anyone realizes their own fragility until it’s too late. But your main character might do, looking at others falling.
elainecsc2013
November 23rd, 2014 at 18:09
Super imagery. Shared.
chellecordero
November 23rd, 2014 at 17:47
Loved your use of the visual and period of introspection. Very well done.
Wishing you a happy holiday season and lots of success with your serial. Looking forward to your return in January
jtsuruoka
November 23rd, 2014 at 17:41
That’s great. Using the wipers as a device is a brilliant move.
veronicascott
November 23rd, 2014 at 14:37
Sort of a whimsical thought for your assassin to have, but I like it. Makes her more human, even as efficient a killer as she is. We’ll miss you while you’re off doing other things, have a terrific holiday season and a happy new year!
Karen Michelle Nutt
November 23rd, 2014 at 11:17
Fantastic imagery! Enjoyed the scene. Tweeted, google’d plus….
Good luck with your writing. I look forward to more of your snippets in January!
Lisa Medley
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:51
The simple thing one considers while driving: frailty, vulnerability, mortality. I know this feeling. Great 8!
Patricia Preston
November 23rd, 2014 at 10:17
Great snippet. Loved the imagery with the rain!! Hope you have a great December!
Frank Fisher
November 23rd, 2014 at 09:53
Great imagery – it adhered me to the snippet. See you in January!
Sarah W
November 23rd, 2014 at 08:02
I love how this philosophical moment leads into the Year of No Killing. You’ve woven an amazingly rich, yet smoothly logical story, Chip. And again, Claudia is one of my favorite characters for the same reason. 🙂
See you in January!
Joanne Stewart
November 23rd, 2014 at 08:01
Excellent imagery in this! Very vivid.
emmygatrell
November 23rd, 2014 at 06:15
Great Snippet! Going to miss reading them. Have a great December!
Iris B
November 23rd, 2014 at 03:47
I like the windshield comparison.
kendra coro a
November 23rd, 2014 at 00:19
Great snippet
burnsmillie
November 22nd, 2014 at 22:42
I felt like I was sitting in the car with her, listening to the rain and contemplating…
Joyce
November 22nd, 2014 at 22:40
Interesting writing about something basically simple.
http://joycelansky.blogspot.com/
Gem
November 22nd, 2014 at 21:31
Pensive and thought provoking. Good luck with your serial at Venture Galleries and Happy Holidays.
FCEtier
November 22nd, 2014 at 21:38
A serial novel is a built in deadline when you’ve got to have two a week.
I’m starting off with ten chapters, so I’m good till Jan.
Happy holidays to you, too!
Jennifer Reynolds
November 22nd, 2014 at 21:11
The images on the windshield are very creative. Liked the scene. 🙂
siobhanmuir
November 22nd, 2014 at 20:46
Amazing that the messages come in the silences between motion. Great snippet, Frank. 🙂
Author Charmaine Gordon
November 22nd, 2014 at 20:34
I’ll never look at wind shield wipers the same way again, Chip. You paint a fascinating word picture for your shooter. What a woman.
EE Giorgi
November 22nd, 2014 at 19:59
congratulations and happy writing! see you back in January!
FCEtier
November 22nd, 2014 at 20:04
Thanks Elena. I’ll be back before you know it.
I was working on the schedules at work today, and it’s already January!
I hope you and all my friends on Snippet Sunday & Weekend Writing Warriors follow my serial.
I’ll post the link.
Until Jan., happy reading!