It's always fun to read a snippet from people's stories. Share a snippet in this thread.

Here's a quick one from mine (and actually, it's probably not all that representative, since the story is more about relationships than action, but I was moved to put in a fight scene). Trish is a teddy bear with a magic wooden sword (and the skills to use it):

Teddy frowned but stepped back, leaving the pack and cloth on the ground.

Quick as a snake, the goblin stepped forward and swung his sword to decapitate Teddy.

Gwendolyn screamed.

But the goblin's strike never landed. Faster than he could swing his blade, Trish sprang into the air with a flip and swung her own wooden blade.

The goblin cursed--Trish had cut off his hand and it lay upon the ground, fingers still tightly wrapped around the curved sword's hilt.

He reached for his dagger, but Trish was faster, swinging her sword to cut through the goblin's belt, her cut so precise that not even the goblin's tunic wasmarred even as his dagger and belt hit the forest floor.

"Not a word," Trish said. "Don't even think about calling out for your friends or your head will join your hand in the snow."

"Trish!" Teddy hissed, seeing the goblin's rib cage expand outwards as it took a deep breath.

Trish leapt up into the air again and she struck. The goblin's head hit the snow, unconscious, for she had hit him hard on his forehead with the flat of her blade.

"Show off," Gwendolyn muttered as she saw Teddy gaze at Trish with admiration.

"Come on," Trish said. "Grab your pack and let's get going." Now she did look behind them, but there was no sign of the other three goblins.

My crew were confronting a T-rex type of monster when a word war hit, so I had to extend the fight dramatically. Here's how I did that:

Outlaw circled around behind it and slashed its tail. Her blade got caught in the chink between to plates of armor, and she was now stuck to the monster.

She had two choices. She could let go of the sword, as Phil had done with his spear, and be completely unarmed, unlike Phil who still had his shield. Or, she could hang on for dear life. She chose the latter. She grabbed the tail with her free hand and proceeded to keep wiggling the sword, trying to pry it loose by some miracle. The monster took notice, and swiveled its head around to see what the annoyance was. It shook its tail trying to shake it off. Outlaw doubled down. She gave up trying to keep her feet on the ground and hauled herself bodily up to the tail. She wrapped her legs around it, as if shimmying down a very thick rope. Still wrenching with the sword, she hung on. The monster only doubled its efforts to throw her off, swirling and spinning like a bull, flailing its tail like a wet cat.

Outlaw gave up trying to cut and just held on with everything she had.

I don't have any big action scenes to share, but here's a snippet of description, with many of the details pulled from photos on Google of the actual restaurant being described:

The two walked into the building together. Esther hadnt noticed the wording of the restaurants name from the street, but upon entering, she knew that its full name was Stumble Inn Bar and Grill; if the big red letters proclaiming the restaurants full name on the mirrored side of the restaurant hadnt been enough of a tip-off, the large quantity and variety of alcoholic beverages displayed directly underneath those big red letters certainly would have clued her in that it was a bar first and a grill second. Several television sets were mounted in various places within the restaurant, all tuned to programs that Esther didnt recognize and didnt think looked especially promising. A wheel in bright colors was displayed prominently next to the collection of alcoholic beverages behind the bar, but what its purpose was eluded Esther at a glance. A dartboard was hanging from one of the walls. A handful of men were sitting at the bar, drinking, and all of them glanced up as Esther and Max entered the room; only one other group, a couple that looked to be in their mid-thirties, appeared to be eating there rather than just drinking.

Esther was feeling very much out of her element.

Here's a snippet of a romantic scene I spent three days and over 5000 words on.

Ettie

Crap. This is where he tells me Ive been reading him wrong this whole time. Yeah?

With all my heart I wish, both of his hands moved to rest on Etties neck and jawbone. His thumbs traced from chin to ear. His words hesitated. He wanted to do what his head told him was the wrong thing. His heart was screaming out much louder, begging him to go for it.

She dropped her hands, expecting the worst. She could feel the now familiar prickle of threatening tears behind her eyes. She looked to the sky, the dusk hed specially engineered to let her down with, and took a deep breath, letting it out slowly through her O shaped lips.

I wish to be able to see you with my sisters and not ache to steal you away from them. I wish I could hear you crash through that mirror and keep myself from running to Thoras door just to hear your voice. I wish standing this close to you didnt make it so hard to breathe. His voice lowered to a gravelly whisper, And I very much wish to know how your lips taste. His thumb came to rest on her bottom lip, pulling her mouth open just slightly. Ettie could barely stand. Every molecule in her body vibrating.

This isn't from THIS nano...but previous (as i've been working on the same novel for 3 years)...i happened to scroll across it as i was searching for something:

Just let me know when Jennifer gets here. Im going to use the toilet since I have time. And please, get dressed before she shows up. Youre dressed like an embarrassment

You got it, princess A sly grin escaped from Harleys face as the bathroom door crept open only a few inches. It was just enough for Napoleons tiny white body to slip through and plant his butt down on the rug, staring at his owner while she completed her morning constitutions. Harley closed the door, chuckling as Jillian let out a series of exclamations.

HARLEY! GET THE DOG OUT OF HERE! IM TRYING TO GO TO THE BATHROOM! I DONT NEED AN AUDIENCE! Jillian hollered despite the fact that Harley was already jumping over piles of clothes to get dressed.

You watch him poop, so why shouldnt he get to watch you poop!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~
And I hope all you pet owners can relate to this (or anyone with a toddler).

Opening scene between Colin Gray and his girlfriend Tabitha:

Colin Grey was not having it. He had spoke to Tabitha several times before in regards to her insistent absenteeism to his courses and he had enough.

I dont care what you say or do this time to try and get out of it. You owe me a shilling!

I am not paying the cuss jar, Tabitha said. Your rules are hideously stupid and unfair, besides, I am a lady of the court that does need to pay fines to the likes of someone likened to a baboon like you!

You will pay the shilling, he said brightly and curt. His demeanor was that a school teacher in his lab coat. His environs here amongst the City of London St. Cloud laboratories was one of absolute authority but only in his slightly entitled and rather befuddled mind.

He shook the jar at the prissy woman, dressed in a peacock pillbox hat and wearing her ballroom gown.

The things I do for a date in this town, she grumbled. He smiled at her knowing that she had no choice but to cough up the money and play his little game. Tabitha had been attempting to get his attentions now for almost 11 months. It was a new record for him in feminine companionship, and how he enjoyed making her jump through all his little hoops. She was after his supposed title and inheritance and she wasnt bad looking to have on his arm at a social occasion, which he didnt have many of those this time of year, but keeping up appearances was important to him. If anyone found out he never intended to marry a soul, his funding would get cut and he would never be able to complete his experiment, self-steaming water would be a reality, transferring energy through surreptitious painstaking means was all London St Cloud needed to give her the little push back to sensibility and the progress upward it needed.

Shilling, he cried, his owlish gaze held her own harshly. She smiled a bit feeling the pain of his gaze and wanted to laugh but stopped smirking when he blinked impassive.

Shilling, she said, handling the golden disc to the lanky man of Northern disposition and gentile mannerisms.

Going straight to the orphans funds on the morrow, he said, he marked a tick on his clipboard. You have already donated almost 100 sterling this last year. He smiled at her. She didnt say a word. He mouth often got her into trouble around him.

So, you will come to the ball, then? she asked him almost sly, turning her head away from her demurely.

I will consider your proposal and after consulting with my mother may be inclined to accept your request, he said evenly.

Colin, we have been courting now for almost a year, isnt it time we leave your mother out of such dealings, I mean most in your situation by this point, propose and come out with a pre-nuptial accord of some sort. I may be from a family of radicals, but then again, I am still a Lady. She was referring to her political affiliation with womens rights. A preposterous idea Colin thought that someone like Tabitha would support seriously in any sense. She was simply an entitled rich girl with too much time on her hands who wanted attention. But she at least put her coffers where he thought they deserved to be doled.

My mother would have my neck if I made any overt attentions to any one woman. It is not in her behavior to allow me to publicly endorse anyone but her, he said plain. It wasnt exactly true that she was quite that overt but he certainly knew her grasp could reach anywhere or anyone around him when he at least suspected it.

You dont like me, she said quickly. I get it. You are smart, weird and kind of cute in an odd way, but you really arent going to do better than me. Lets just face that. Her arms were on his table and he could smell her perfume as she inclined her perfect heart shaped head in between his multiple pipettes.

Yes, Tabitha you are probably right, but I still dont care. Get in line and wait your turn, you sexy little bitch, he said with a bit of snarl of his voice. His head bobbed lower then and his voice had gone a bit raspy almost breaking a bit. He liked flirting with her, not quite decided if he would sleep with her, she might want things then, and he would have to go to parties and occasions and she would own his every private moment.

She smiled a bit. You are such a liar, Colin Grey. All you give a damn about is this damn lab and I will pay with it once you have my lavish dowry probably for the rest of your days. All that I ask is that you let me have my space and I will give you the space you need to do whatever it is, you do. You see Colin, marriage is a business. A well meaning business that with a little bit of give can give everyone what they want. I have no delusions of romance or belief in the grandeur of our great affair. You can sleep with whoever you want, as long as of course you are discreet. Is that what you are worried about? I mean you seem so reasonable when we talked over everything at the country estate stay at my Aunties. Unless, you are privately a romantic, Colin Grey.

Colin shrugged a bit and shook his head, For some reason I feel insulted, he said almost as an aside, as he adjusted one of his pipettes for a titration. She held out her cheek toward him and he gave it a wince. Then as he saw her close her eyes a bit, he licked his fingers quickly , huffed on them, and depressed his thumb and forefinger on her cheek with a puckering motion. She smiled sweetly at him. He smiled at her with raised eyebrows, hoping to she would leave him to his work.

Ta-ta, Colin, dear, and do come to get your fitting tomorrow at my tailor. You looked entirely cheap at the last affair. I know it is vogue to appear threadbare ever since Victoria started getting all working class friendly butthere are some things that require some attire that is a bit more proper.

She left him like a snake leaves a room in the jungle, head held up high, waiting for its next prey. He imagined she might be a wonderful wife one for day for him, but he just didnt see how right now. She was comely, a bit old for him, but then again, he didnt feel a thing for her and she was practical in her own right. Perhaps he should propose, but every time he thought on such a prospect, his eyes glazed over and he felt his insides convulse a bit a the prospect of another woman involved in his life in on some intimate level.

Hey all, hope you're all successfully typing away.

My story "The Girl Who Didn't Go" is at a little over 10,000 words. Here's a brief glimpse into the male lead--Tyler Beckett's life.

You have a way, my friend. Tyler shook his head and looked past Jimmy at the ladies leaving. They were all, obviously, swooning.

Jimmy picked up the menu at the place setting next to him and studied it. Maybe if you were a bit less brooding, youd be the more likable one.

Tyler straightened. What do you mean more likable, James. I havent pissed off half the women our age. I think that puts you at the disadvantage, my friend. He snatched the menu from Jimmys hand. And what the hell are you doing looking at a menu? How long have we been coming here? We sit in the same seats every day and order the same thing.

Well, I might want to try something different. Jimmy looked up and down the counter. Wheres Gino?

Tyler frowned at Jimmy. Nothing seemed off kilter. His uniform was clean and pressed. His gaze traveled to the gold nameplate on jimmys chest pocket. It was upside-down. Whats her name?

Hey, Gino, you back there? Jimmy called toward the kitchen.

Jimmy

What does it take to get some serve in this joint? Jimmy hopped off his stool and walked around the end of the counter. He picked up the coffee pot that was sitting on one of the warmers and walked over to Tyler. Top you off?

Tyler covered the cup with his hand. A name first.

Suit yourself, Jimmy said. He reached under the counter and produced a cup for himself and poured.

Hey y'all! Hope You're all staying pumped and inspired!

My novel is coming along, as I've got the first 7 of 42 chapters finished. I am writing a Thriller, and here is a snippet from Chapter 4, towards the end of Haleigh and Jeremy's first date. Hope you guys enjoy!

He looked so deeply into my eyes that it felt like he was searching my soul. He took a step forward so his face, although towering above me, was just inches from mine. I could feel the hot steam of his breath brush my cheek. His hand slipped out of mine as he brought it up to the back of my head, pulling my hair from the ponytail I had tucked it into. My hair fell in waves to my shoulders, and finally I met his eyes. A look of curious desperation plagued his face as he grazed his right hand along the left side of my face, from temple, to cheekbone, to jaw. His left hand met my waist, gentle but confident.

Hes going to kiss me, I thought, and my heart began to race, but not with panic. It was racing with excitement and anticipation. I let my eyes fall shut as his face inched closer to to my own, his nose teasingly brushing against mine.

The hand that was resting on my face slipped down to my neck, which I expected him to cup, but instead shifted to my throat and collar bone, his fingers on the left side of my neck, and his thumb on the right. His hand was warm and firm, and I could feel his pulse beginning to speed up in his palm, as Im sure he could feel the same in my neck.

I parted my lips in anticipation of the kiss, but it didnt come. His hand then left my neck, sliding to my shoulder, down my arm, and into my hand.

I opened my eyes to see a calm faced Jeremy.

I should be getting you back home.

From Faux memoir about an F1 driver:

January in New York is my favorite time of year, Im not going to lie. Waking up to a freezing, quiet landscape of pristine air, theres nothing like it. When we go to Spa its the only time during a season I come close to the feeling. Its not freezing, but the crisp mountain air in the mornings is magical. Its my favorite circuit overall, broken record time, but more on that later. Unfortunately I was not in New York in January, I was in Sonoma California. Sonoma has its own values for a nature lover. Set in the mountains at the end of wine country, its a hilly track that is great for testing the balance, aero, and strength of a car. It also makes us one of the only teams to not be testing at Jerez, which means we dont see our competitors much, and they dont see us. The press is still there, why wouldnt they be. The first American driver in ages, a female to boot, is driving for an American team and she just happened to blow her competition out of the water last year. Its a story made for American press. Fortunately I am not the first female driver in F1, that wouldve made it way worse. Press and pressure are not hard for me, but a media swarm like Powell received is unimaginable unless you live through it.

(Stopping by from an ML thread.)

Hi! My MC has mobility impairments from arthritis of the back and hips. She's a psychic who cares for several supernatural creatures and two cats. (Though one cat is actually a dragon, and the other is especially talented.) Catty is a young wendigo who lives with her. In this scene, she's preparing a dinner for a gathering later.

Time to make a quiche, I say after giving Catty belly rubs for a few minutes. A cup of fresh spinach, about half a cup of shiitake mushrooms, and half a cup of broccoli go into the strainer for washing. Catty cuts the broccoli florets off, setting the stem aside. I cut up my favorite mushrooms, snacking on two in the process. Flight of the Bumblebee booms from the speakers down the hall.

Fred, turn it down a notch! My cat ignores me, of course.

I will send Catty in there to turn it down. I wait a minute. Still nothing.

Sir Pusspuss is home, I lie. The music turns down. Cats understand more than people think. They usually just dont care. Both Fred and Sir Pusspuss are Maine Coon cats, and could be equals, but its clear that one is the leader.

Actually, Sir Pusspuss is the leader in any group of animals. Ive even seen a German Shepard bow to my cat. Literally bent legs and head pressed to the ground bowing. It would be great if Sir Pusspuss were around more. Hes been in my life for the past fifteen years, which is a long time for a cat. I wasnt sure hed find me when I moved here, but sure enough, he showed up once the construction stopped.

I think Sir Pusspuss made me his human because we both like copper. He mostly hordes pennies and bits of wire. I, however, have decorated and crafted my bed, bath, and kitchen with as many copper objects as I can find.