Okay, it took me a while to get back to the good ol’ YA novel again, but after working on some (very fun) side projects, and encouraged by some great feedback from fellow writer Jenn, I’m back on it. And on the final stretch, at last.

Today’s mini-scene involved the incredible growing and shrinking dragon, which was a lot of fun to write.

Here’s a snippet that takes place right after that mini-scene, since I haven’t shared any bits from the book in a while:

A turn here, a turn there, and she was at the entrance to Haze Books and Gifts once more. Kelley stifled a foul-tasting belch as she stuffed the bag full of empty Slim Jim wrappers, insta-charger containers and a monster-drink can into the garbage bin at the curb. Something shifted in her pocket when she turned back to the store, but Kelley barely noticed in her relief at getting back to Maria’s haven of books, incense, wisdom and hot tea.

“Once more into the fray, eh, Alexander?” she said to the dragon in her pocket as she pulled open the heavy wooden door to the book store.

Inside the little store, a tornado had touched down. The lights were off, and the black bookcases that covered every spare inch of wall space sat empty above an ocean of scattered and piled books. Books were on the floor, on the tables of goodies, and a couple of them were even lodged in the two dusty light fixtures above Kelley. She couldn’t even see the floor anymore.

“Maria?” she tried to call out, but all that came out was a raspy whisper. The place was cold, and the calming scent of incense had been replaced by the smells of dust and something moldy.

Had that bald guy and his big bodyguard been here? Kelley wondered. She crept a few more steps into the store, pushing a dozen books out of her way in the process. And what had they done to–

She never got to finish her thought.

Sorry to leave ya hanging, there. Okay, I’m not sorry — I’m totally messing with you. What can I say? It’s part of the writer’s job description to manipulate his readers. Read the fine print, okay? 🙂