Two excepts from AURELIA set in the late 1960s; one is from her earlier life as a soldier and the other when she is an intelligence officer reporting to her superior at the Roma Novan Foreign Ministry (equiv. US State Department).
Excerpts from AURELIA
Beginning of chapter 2
Aurelia is leading a patrol in the mountains trying to catch smugglers
‘One more run should do it,’ I said. ‘Get the troops formed up, Senior Centurion Numerus, if you please.’ I squeezed my gloved hands together hard and released them in the hope of stimulating some warmth in my fingers. And I felt the first touches of sleet on my face as I looked round the grey walls of the mountain valley. At least we’d been warm overnight in the winter hut and had stomachs full of hot field rations. But despite our mountain gear with fur-lined hoods and dark goggles protecting against the high-altitude sunlight, the icy wind found exposed skin and froze it numb.
Thank the gods this was our only permeable frontier, but curse them it was this high and cold. We were nominally at peace with all other nations around us, although the Reds in the East continually attempted to infiltrate. As a tiny country wedged in between the Italian Federation to the south-west and New Austria to the north, we were vulnerable. Our vigilance and electronic barriers were our joint protection. For my money, I would have kept a watchful eye on the Prussians to the north, but I was a mere soldier.
Numerus saluted and beckoned his NCOs over to receive their orders and assemble the patrol groups. Gamma Troop had set off straight after breakfast back to base with a truckload of prisoners, mainly smugglers, but also a couple of Balkanites looking for a better life. Minutes later, thirty-six soldiers stood in three groups of four by three deep in the lee of the hut. None of them showed any reaction to the cruel weather. Numerus’s runner, Mercuria, a petite young woman lost in the folds of her winter uniform parka, handed me the deployment list.
We moved out at 09.00 with full backpacks, forty-eight more hours on the mountainside in front of us. Beta and Delta were west and east respectively of my Alpha Troop. An hour later, with snow falling lightly, we were creeping along behind the ridge overlooking the track we’d patrolled five days ago when I heard a thud below.
From Chapter 25
Aurelia (three months pregnant) is investigating a corrupt Roma Novan bank manager who could be involved in silver smuggling.
I faxed a report to Plico, quoting ‘sources in the Viennese banking community’ and under an ‘Eyes Only’ flag. Thirty minutes later, I wasn’t surprised when one of the comms office staff put his head around my door saying Plico was on the videolink and wanted to speak to me, stat.
‘For once, the vigiles have managed to get off their backsides. They found that Festa had been cautioned for debt when she was a student,’ Plico said. ‘Not something she thought to mention when she applied for a job at the AP,’ he added drily. She wouldn’t have reached the interview stage if they’d known, despite her first-class degree. ‘And the other thing is that she doesn’t have much in the way of personal savings, despite her good salary.’
‘What about her family?’
‘Both parents are dead, but she’s got a grandmother in Aquae Caesaris.’ He looked at the file on his desk. ‘And a younger brother who runs a land agency there. Festus junior seems to enjoy being obnoxious in the local caupona and has had a couple of public drunkenness fines. He fancies himself as a politician with a yen for the old Roman Republic, “when men were men”.’
‘For the gods’ sake! What rubbish.’
‘Yes, it doesn’t exactly add to his sister’s credit. He’s visited her twice since she’s been posted to Vienna, once three weeks ago. I’m going to get somebody to have a closer look at him.’
‘Call me paranoid, but I still think Caius is linked to it somehow.’
‘You’re paranoid. Satisfied?’ He smirked. ‘Or are your hormones playing up?’
‘Do you know how offensive that is?’ I glared at him, but the screen flickered and I couldn’t see his expression.
‘Well, don’t overdo it or go off on any silly adventures.’
‘I’m perfectly well, thank you, full of energy,’ I lied, ignoring the tiredness that pulled me down like a personal gravitational force. ‘Tell me,’ I said in the most acid voice I could produce, ‘how are you doing in the search for Caius?’
WRITING PREPARATION PROMPTS (Bring ideas and/or a photo with you to Workshop). What are some real life experiences / workplaces / professions that might inspire a novel:
A place you worked, and why it could be a good world for a novel:
A difficult boss – did you win them over, or get fired?:
A challenging project – did you lead it, serve on the team, or shoot it down:
A success that seemed unattainable, by you, or everyone around you:
A mentor who could be a lead character, and why:
An adversary who could be the antagonist, and why:
A favorite book, TV show, or movie, that is set in your world, or has characters that you’ve met in real life:
Writing your Real Life Experience Outline
FICTION
Ideas | Have Experience | Need to Research |
What? What is the concept, topic, or idea?
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Where? Where does this concept, topic, or idea, apply? Maybe it's an event or a context situation.
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Why? Why does this matter?
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Who? Who is this for, or who is involved?
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When? Is there a concept of time involved?
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How? If applicable, ask yourself: “How will this happen?”
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NON-FICTION
Outcomes | Experience | Need to Research |
What information do you want to share in your book?
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Who is your reader: beginner, intermediate, advanced?
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Why does your reader want to know the information in your book?
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What does your reader want to learn by reading your book?
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