I managed to write the required 1667 words yesterday, despite yesterday being a bit of a trying day (my grandmother went into hospital). I still haven’t caught up yet, but I haven’t fallen behind any further, so that’s something.

Anyway, I realised that I have yet to post any NaNo snippets, so here we go! The rough, unedited opening paragraphs of Winterheart – I have warned you. Also known as the scene that made me go “so apparently my novel is about evil snow”.

It was going to be a very white Christmas that year.

The snow that fell from the clouds hanging ominously above London was not heavy but it was continuous. Indeed, there was not a time when someone glanced out the window and did not see at the very least more than a few flakes of snow fluttering down towards the thick layer of cold white that covered the streets and the roofs of the houses and cars that lined them.

If it was possible, people stayed inside, wrapped up warm and gathered around the heaters and fireplaces that were available to them. Those who were unfortunate enough to still have work and errands to run – as life does not stop simply because of snow, especially when it was only a few days until Christmas, and thus there was still much to be done – bundled up as much as they could before braving the cold weather outside the safety of their homes.

But it was as if something was looming in the air that warned people to stay inside if they absolutely had to. Not just because it was cold and perhaps not the safest time to drive, but that there was something out there that just simply was not right. Something worrisome, something dangerous, something that could only be avoided if one stayed inside and did not look at the countless white flakes that danced in the air, riding the small breezes as if only they were allowed to enjoy the cold season.

As if it was only safe for them. Or perhaps unsafe because of them.