Rejection and Chapter Chunk

Hubby and I got emails the other day about our submissions. They weren't accepted. I can't say that I'm devastated or upset, mostly because I'm not. Sci-fi/Fantasy seems to be a world of its own (pun intended) and I never really imagined that either of us would be selected for a literary journal.

I've been working on my novel lately, perhaps almost a page every other day (mostly written in my science class......) and I've completed the prologue. Obviously it's not the final draft but I rewrote 3/4 of the original with brand new ideas and materials and characters so hopefully this is the route to go with it. I'm well into the first chapter as well! I thought I'd share a couple paragraphs from it here.

Again, please remember that this is all original work, is mine, and any reference to previous works/characters/people/real events/etc are completely unintentional.

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The guard was glaring at Gavin, clearly not convinced. Faelle knew that the man had followed them. He knew she was around somewhere, and no matter how many lies Gavin told this man wouldn’t believe them. Gavin’s feet scuffed on the floor as he released his mug and went to stand, but before Gavin could get to his feet to physically confront the man someone else came up behind the guard and tapped him on the shoulder.

                “You need to leave. Now.” The new man was taller than the guard, not broad like Gavin but still powerfully built. His dark hair was cropped short, and the look he bore down on the guard with was stern and unforgiving.

                “I have business with these men. You need not interfere.” The guard’s face was disdainful.

                “I give you one last chance,” the new man warned. The guard turned away from him and back towards Gavin, opening his mouth to speak.

                He was abruptly spun back around, and the new man delivered a solid punch to his jaw. The guard fell back onto the table, knocking Gavin’s mug onto the ground; the new man leaned over and hauled him up off of it and back onto his feet, using his left fist this time to even out the guard’s jaw. Gavin reached under the table to grab Faelle’s arm, dragging her out from under the table and throwing her over his shoulder while the guard was down and couldn’t see her. Will emptied the last swallow of his ale onto the guard’s face before following Gavin. Some of the men in the tavern started crowding around their corner booth, the shouting and yelling getting thicker, waiting to see what the new man would do as the guard staggered to his feet.