The weekend is here again, and it's officially my Friday! It's been surprisingly busy week, but I always make time to include my 8-10 sentence snippet for Weekend Writing Warriors (side note: yesterday I did a review of our lovely Admin/MOD Christina Ochs's new release, Valley of the Shadow, which you all need to read ASAP). This snippet from Crimson Sky continues from last week. Since you all thought the Hellions were scary, here's some more info that will hopefully terrify you...
I hated that daylight didn’t
slow them down anymore, and wished they hadn’t learned how to cover themselves
from the sun. In the beginning, they only came at night, descending from the Behemoth in their quick raiding skiffs
and taking anyone they could snatch in their claws. It was horrifying– it
always would be– but we’d been able to predict them.
Now they were prepared. They
dressed in black jumpsuits with blood-red buttons along the left breast. The heavy
boots, leather gloves, and round helmet almost made them look like the old Sky
Guard, aside from the black gas mask with two black bulging glass goggles that
made their eyes resemble an insect’s.
A black respirator with a pointed needle on the end covered the Hellion’s mouth, their tool for drinking blood during the day. I’d never been stabbed with one of those needles, and intended to keep it that way.
I'm getting super excited for this release and this whole new series. I've even decided that my entry for Mocha Memoirs's upcoming steampunk horror anthology will feature three of the characters from Dark Sky in a prequel novella. I've already written two prequel novellas for the series, but I figure a new story can't hurt promoting it, especially since I'm going to take it in a new direction.
I'm still trying to wrap up another book, which will hopefully be done sometime next week so I can move on to a couple short stories. I'm actually really excited about a meet up that I'm doing with a couple close friends. I know three other writers (one of whom is a genius with writing and developing characters), and we all agreed it would be fun to meet up and do some writing exercises to help our work. I'm always looking for ways to improve, and I think we'll come up with some fun projects. I'll just have to make sure that there's not too much wine involved, so we can actually concentrate!
I can already tell this week is going to fly by, but I'm excited and eager for it. Remember to stop by the other Weekend Writing Warriors blogs and leave some love in the comments. Weekend, here I come!
Amy
P.S.: Could you tell that I wrote this post after a Saturday snack spree that included chips, mini Lindor chocolates, and Ferrero Rochers?
Loved the respirators with needles. I have my copy of Crimson Sky pre-ordered.
ReplyDeleteAwesome! If you want it signed, you can send me a message on Authorgraph. Thanks so much for all your help and support!! :D
DeleteGreat, so these nasty creatures are at least somewhat smart too. Very unhelpful! The blood-drinking needle is a nice touch. :-)
ReplyDeleteHaha well they can't all be mindless drones, unfortunately. That wouldn't be as fun for me. >:) And I wanted to make their looks a little different from typical vampires, and everyone hates mosquitos, so meshing them together seemed like a good idea. ;)
DeleteThe blood drinking needles, Amy, are absolutely horrible. I do believe I shall be having nightmares! Good job!
ReplyDeleteIt seems I'm not the only one to find those blood-drinking needles horrifying -great descriptions! Love how at the beginning you really set the scene for the character to be hopeless/scared with the hellions being able to walk about during the day as well, excited to read what comes next!
ReplyDeleteThank you! I think I'm going to keep this chapter going for a few more weeks, then change it up when the February release date comes around. :)
DeleteBlood sucking attackers! Everyone's favorite!
ReplyDeleteI do have a love for almost anything vampire. ;)
DeleteLoving all the details you're giving us - excellent excerpt!
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteFantastically descriptive snippet, Amy, and awesome as ever!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much!
DeleteOkay, that was pretty damned scary. Excellent job of getting the details down right, but still scaring the reader!
ReplyDeleteOn a side note--I'm so bummed out about the Steelers...
Thank you so much! Also, I'm not big into football, so I'm not sure how to offer sympathies? ;)
DeleteThat is so cheating, taking away one of the few advantages their prey has left... If they're not careful, there won't be anyone left to drink dry.
ReplyDeleteIt's killing me to bite my tongue about this (one of those I know something you don't know moments), but let's just say you should stay tuned for more snippets. ;)
DeleteI thought I could smell hazelnut!
ReplyDeleteCreepy snippet...especially the blood sucking needle and bulgy-eyed gs masks....like gigantic mosquitoes! Reminds me of living in the Everglades....*shudders, scratches, swats*
Haha I knew something gave me away! And I'm glad I'm not the only one who doesn't have lost love over those little/big pests.
DeleteDefinitely creepy. Great imagery. :)
ReplyDeleteI've been adding our links to our snippets on Pinterests, too. https://www.pinterest.com/karenmnutt/snippet-sunday-posts/
Thank you for the comment, and the Pinterest post! :D
DeleteKiller mosquitoes from Hell? Oh, yeah. That's gonna be keeping me awake. I hate those suckers! Terrifyingly great snippet.
ReplyDelete~Joyce Scarbrough