TITLE: Adult
GENRE: Secret
The silver cutter advanced on the dock in the half-light of early morning that bleached all color from the landscape. Dirty-white seabirds wheeled overhead, their squawks lost in the screaming wind. As the cutter filled the narrow passage between docks and breakwater, it churned water into steep waves that spilled over the decking and sloshed onto my sneakers. It hardly mattered. I was already soaked, and my hair had come loose from the ponytail and was whipping around my face. I jammed a handful of loose hair behind an ear and waited. A grinding noise. The cutter's captain had gone into reverse; its powerful twin thrusters churned, but still the cutter waltzed forward. Closer to the granite blocks that marked the end of the channel.
Coming into view behind the cutter was the abandoned yacht they'd found in the ocean off Spanish Cay and taken in tow. The yacht—fifteen tons and no working engine—surged ahead.
I thought this was contemporary until the last line. That last line made me think it was Sci-fi.
ReplyDeleteMystery.
ReplyDeleteAre we sure the seabirds are dirty-white if the half-light of early morning has bleached all color? Also, I doubt the captain has gone into reverse, backing up in the cockpit; he's thrown the cutter into reverse. And who is the "they" in "yacht they'd found"?
Other than those minor editing fixes, this is a very interesting beginning. Enough action and tension to keep me interested, make me want to learn more.
Historical epic - No, comtemporary mystery
ReplyDeleteMC is wearing sneakers! I thought of cutter as an old cutter at first, but now I am thinking "coast guard cutter".
Mystery.
ReplyDeleteNothing specific make me think this, just the flavour of the description I guess.
Mystery.
ReplyDeleteThe abandoned yacht with no working engine was the best clue.
Small note: I'd simplify your first sentence. There's a LOT going on!
Contemporary romance
ReplyDeleteI was unsure about this one. The sneakers gave the piece a contemporary tone though the language in the opening paragraph felt more historical. There's no indication yet that the mc is worried about what happened to the people on the yacht, but I suspect that's why she's standing in the water. I wonder if this is where she learns for sure she's lost someone and her story becomes one of going forward, finding someone new?
Mystery -- given the contemporary setting and the mysteriously empty boat. With all the ponytail-flapping methinks there will be a romantic aspect, too.
ReplyDeleteMystery -- given the contemporary setting and the mysteriously empty boat. With all the ponytail-flapping methinks there will be a romantic aspect, too.
ReplyDeleteHmm, can't tell.
ReplyDeleteI thought maybe historical because of all the ship talk, though there are ships today, and it could be contemporary. I got a sense of romance, too. In any event, I enjoyed it! Good luck!
Contemporary... but don't know mystery/thriller/romance. Bit lost.
ReplyDeleteseems to be modern boats with a mystery building
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteRealistic Fiction or what others call Contemporary.
ReplyDeleteJust seems like a tale of someone's life.
Realistic Fiction or what others call Contemporary.
ReplyDeleteJust seems like a tale of someone's life.
I can't tell.
ReplyDeleteI think this could be a Contemporary Fiction (the sneakers & the yacht tell me it takes place at least relatively recently), but this could also be the set-up for a Mystery or Thriller, depending on why the yacht broke down and what happened to its crew.
Mystery.
ReplyDeleteWhy is the MC standing and watching for the yacht? I get the feeling she's waiting to find out what happened to the people on board.
Sci-Fi?
ReplyDeleteI think that the word 'thrusters' usually describe engines when they have a sci fi connection.
Mystery
ReplyDeleteShe's (presumably a female, though not positive) up early and soaking wet, so not a casual observer. She's wondering if this abandoned yacht is the one she's waiting for. And what happened to those on board? Could be contemporary or historical.
Mystery
ReplyDeleteThe abandoned yacht sounds like the clue she's been searching for.
MYSTERY,
ReplyDeleteThey found an abandoned yacht. She is anxious about it. Why? Says it all.
Abandoned yacht makes me think contemporary mystery.
ReplyDeleteI don't know
ReplyDeleteI keep vacillating between adventure, mystery, and thriller. All we have at this point is an abandoned yacht.
Contemporary. Mystery? (not sure)
ReplyDeleteThe mention of sneakers and the way you describe the cutter and the MC make me think this is contemporary. The towed yacht makes me think mystery, although it could also be a thriller/action or mainstream.
Mystery. Seems to be contemporary setting due to pony tail and sneakers.
ReplyDeletecontemporary.
ReplyDeleteSneakers and on the sea.
Contemporary Adventure/Women's Fiction
ReplyDeleteSneakers and ponytail made me think YA or NA, not Adult for reading level. Definitely some interesting seaside adventure happening here.
Contemporary/Mystery
ReplyDeleteAbandoned yachts are always mysterious. The sneakers, ponytail, and thrusters clued me into contemporary setting.
Mystery - I'm going with coast guard cutter...and if true, I'd just say it in the text. Of course, if I'm off-base, and the "cutter" is something else...ooooooo. The empty yacht leads me to believe there is a mystery to solve.
ReplyDeleteMystery. Salvaged yacht.
ReplyDeleteAdventure.
ReplyDeleteThe MC pays a lot of attention to the ship, almost longingly (out there watching so early in the morning (half-light), and the abandoned yacht being dragged in. Maybe she'll go on a sunken treasure hunt.
Mystery
ReplyDeleteNot sure why, but I sense something behind the scenes waiting to be revealed
Thanks to Authoress and everyone who participated.
ReplyDeleteThis is a contemporary mystery. And yes, there will be romance (sub-plot). Since it's a first draft, I appreciate all your comments, especially about things I can fix! One thing I can't easily fix: The story doesn't take place in the US, so I can't refer to the larger ship as a Coast Guard cutter. That would definitely have made things easier!