Since I didn't have time to do it yesterday (back at the Real Job now), I decided to make this month's Blood Moon novella part of my usual update. Next week I'll probably have a lot to update, so for now, enjoy the next 17th chapter in the Blood Moon series!
On hearing that his nemesis, Quentin Troy, has taken the town of Black Hawk hostage and is threatening to expose the Council's secret to the human world, the only thing Alec Vermont wants to do is join the strike team in their final attempt to capture the bloodthirsty rogue. But Alec's past continues to haunt him, and it is time for him to pay his dues, and the Council is determined to have Alec pay the ultimate price for the crimes he's been framed for.
But Alec refuses to go quietly. He knows he's innocent of the accusations being placed on him, and that his opponent will be like none he has ever faced before. To prove his innocence, Alec will have to do the one thing he does does– survive.
This chapter is shorter than the usual Blood Moon chapters, but it was just as fun. It was a little challenging to figure out how Alec would defeat an enemy who could literally crush him with his bare hands. I had to change the direction of the final battle a few times to actually find a situation Alec would come out the victor.
Though it did help that at the time of writing this story, I was also working on Hunt of the Gods, the second installment of the Areios Brothers series. Writing two fight scenes for two different stories can be overwhelming, but it did get my mind flowing with ideas.
Hope you guys enjoyed this free read! If you liked what you read, leave a comment below. Or just stop by to say hello.
Cheers!
Amy
Showing posts with label story. Show all posts
Showing posts with label story. Show all posts
Thursday, 1 October 2015
Monday, 31 August 2015
Blood Moon: Pack Master
I can't believe I've written sixteen of these so far. Yes. Sixteen. And still more to come. Granted, the series if drawing to a close. As you'll read below, the last major move has been made by this month's character, Quentin. He's done something that will force Alec, Helena, Skylar, Damon, and the Council to stop holding back and go after him, no holds barred. What is malevolent Mr. Troy up to? Well...
Quentin Troy's plan is coming to fruition. He just has one more stop to make. The small, quiet city of Black Hawk, Colorado has no idea what dangers are headed its way. That's where Quentin plans to grab the Council's attention once and for all and lure them into a final, fatal trap. But Quentin isn't the only one plotting a massive takeover. In the ranks of his Omega army is a rebel, someone who wants to take Quentin's throne– and his life.
When I started planning this story, I didn't really know what I was going to do. I mean, sure, I knew what Quentin's plan was going to be, aka the base of the story, but I didn't know what to do in terms of creating danger for him. Though admittedly, once I got the idea for a betrayal within the ranks, it seemed kind of obvious. Quentin is exactly the kind of bastard who would have dozens of wolves wanting to claw the crown from his head. Writing this whole story was wild. I'm pretty sure it showed in all the blood-soaked chaos. The next story won't have as much carnage (at least, I think it won't, but I'm a seat-of-the-pants-writer so who knows?), which means I'll have to up the stakes. Comment below and tell me what you liked!
Amy
Quentin Troy's plan is coming to fruition. He just has one more stop to make. The small, quiet city of Black Hawk, Colorado has no idea what dangers are headed its way. That's where Quentin plans to grab the Council's attention once and for all and lure them into a final, fatal trap. But Quentin isn't the only one plotting a massive takeover. In the ranks of his Omega army is a rebel, someone who wants to take Quentin's throne– and his life.
When I started planning this story, I didn't really know what I was going to do. I mean, sure, I knew what Quentin's plan was going to be, aka the base of the story, but I didn't know what to do in terms of creating danger for him. Though admittedly, once I got the idea for a betrayal within the ranks, it seemed kind of obvious. Quentin is exactly the kind of bastard who would have dozens of wolves wanting to claw the crown from his head. Writing this whole story was wild. I'm pretty sure it showed in all the blood-soaked chaos. The next story won't have as much carnage (at least, I think it won't, but I'm a seat-of-the-pants-writer so who knows?), which means I'll have to up the stakes. Comment below and tell me what you liked!
Amy
Saturday, 1 August 2015
Blood Moon: Bitter Alpha
A little later than usual, but the latest Blood Moon story is done! This one is a little crazier than usual, but I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I did writing it.
The time has come for Damon to become an Alpha. It's the worst possible time, because he's consumed with guilt and fear over Skylar, the missing woman that he loves. But his transition must come now if he is to become strong enough to fight for those be cares about. Yet the Trials come with a price, and when Damon's mind and reality become confused, it is all too easy for his enemies to take advantage...
Admittedly, I didn't know where this story was going at first. Oh, I knew what I wanted to happen in the end, but getting there? Not what I anticipated. I certainly didn't think I would be putting poor Damon on DMT, though once I decided that was the route I wanted to go, I couldn't stop myself. I thought it would be a good challenge for Damon to experience a battle of the mind before a battle of the body, and writing about a cool, collected character being on a highly hallucinogenic drug is exactly as much fun as you think it is.
I think it provides a unique twist on the Blood Moon series and Damon as a character, but I would welcome opinions. Leave them in the comment section below! Thanks for stopping by!
Amy
The time has come for Damon to become an Alpha. It's the worst possible time, because he's consumed with guilt and fear over Skylar, the missing woman that he loves. But his transition must come now if he is to become strong enough to fight for those be cares about. Yet the Trials come with a price, and when Damon's mind and reality become confused, it is all too easy for his enemies to take advantage...
Admittedly, I didn't know where this story was going at first. Oh, I knew what I wanted to happen in the end, but getting there? Not what I anticipated. I certainly didn't think I would be putting poor Damon on DMT, though once I decided that was the route I wanted to go, I couldn't stop myself. I thought it would be a good challenge for Damon to experience a battle of the mind before a battle of the body, and writing about a cool, collected character being on a highly hallucinogenic drug is exactly as much fun as you think it is.
I think it provides a unique twist on the Blood Moon series and Damon as a character, but I would welcome opinions. Leave them in the comment section below! Thanks for stopping by!
Amy
Monday, 20 July 2015
Weekly Recap
Last week was great as far as writing goes. Yet again I skipped out on a lot of my goals, but I'm almost at the halfway point of my current WiP, Obsidian Sky. I also featured new author Aimee McNeil on a guest post to help promote her debut novel, Alluring Song. I also received an amazing review for Path of the Horseman from Cassandra Reads A Lot, making yet another reviewer cry (unintentionally, I swear! Kinda). In more exciting Path of the Horseman news, I was contacted by a upcoming publisher behind a forthcoming short story. He asked me if I would like to donate a signed copy of one of my books to an esteemed library for a raffle taking place around Halloween. How could I say no?
So this is what I did (and didn't do last week):
• Continue Obsidian Sky
• Create and finalize Dark Sky map for reference
• Set up giveaway #1
And this is what I'm going to do this week!
• Continue Obsidian Sky
• Create and finalize Dark Sky map for reference
• Set up a giveaway
I might as well cross off the giveaway right now, since I'm getting it started. Since it's been gaining plenty of stellar reviews and will be featured on other author blogs over the next few weeks, I think it's appropriate to offer a free, signed paperback copy of Demon's Daughter!
Entry is simple: Leave me a comment on this post to tell me what fascinates you more: demon mythology or angel mythology. Please note: I am talking about the mythology and lore ONLY. I'm not looking for any religious opinions, so please, do not leave them. This is a purely speculative question in regards to fiction alone. Contest entries will stay open until Monday August 10. Looking forward to your answers!
On Thursday, I'll be hosting WeWriWa author Christina Ochs on the blog for an interview, and reviewing her new novel, Rise of the Storm on the weekend. Though the novel just took a dark turn that made me unhappy, I'm really enjoying the book.
That's all for now! Have a good week! Cheers!
Amy
So this is what I did (and didn't do last week):
• Create and finalize Dark Sky map for reference
• Set up giveaway #1
And this is what I'm going to do this week!
• Continue Obsidian Sky
• Create and finalize Dark Sky map for reference
• Set up a giveaway
I might as well cross off the giveaway right now, since I'm getting it started. Since it's been gaining plenty of stellar reviews and will be featured on other author blogs over the next few weeks, I think it's appropriate to offer a free, signed paperback copy of Demon's Daughter!
Entry is simple: Leave me a comment on this post to tell me what fascinates you more: demon mythology or angel mythology. Please note: I am talking about the mythology and lore ONLY. I'm not looking for any religious opinions, so please, do not leave them. This is a purely speculative question in regards to fiction alone. Contest entries will stay open until Monday August 10. Looking forward to your answers!
On Thursday, I'll be hosting WeWriWa author Christina Ochs on the blog for an interview, and reviewing her new novel, Rise of the Storm on the weekend. Though the novel just took a dark turn that made me unhappy, I'm really enjoying the book.
That's all for now! Have a good week! Cheers!
Amy
Tuesday, 30 June 2015
Blood Moon: Divided Loyalties
Time for some more Blood Moon! Because of the sudden alliance between three characters, this story runs a little longer than the others. I really enjoyed writing it, and hope you do to!
Helena Ardelian never thought she would side with the enemy– twice. Not only is she now working with Skylar Evanson, the runaway Omega from Quentin Troy's ruthless pack, Helena is forced to work with Alec Vermont, one of the wolves who attacked her family over a decade ago and did nothing to stop her suffering at Quentin's hands.
But Helena doesn't expect to be followed by her former employers, the Vigilias. When she's confronted and given an ultimatum– give up the wolves or share their fate as a traitor– Helena must make a decision about what's really worth fighting for...
I didn't intend this episode to run as long as it did. But I couldn't stop writing it. I was having too much fun putting Helena's volatile personality against Skylar's shyness and Alec's smart-ass behavior. I didn't run into as many hiccups as I thought I would, and it was fun to put Helena in a really tense situation.
I'll be focusing on big projects for the rest of the year, but I'll still take breaks to write the Blood Moon series. The end is in sight, but it's still a long ways away. Plenty of action to come before the grand finale!
Cheers!
Amy
Helena Ardelian never thought she would side with the enemy– twice. Not only is she now working with Skylar Evanson, the runaway Omega from Quentin Troy's ruthless pack, Helena is forced to work with Alec Vermont, one of the wolves who attacked her family over a decade ago and did nothing to stop her suffering at Quentin's hands.
But Helena doesn't expect to be followed by her former employers, the Vigilias. When she's confronted and given an ultimatum– give up the wolves or share their fate as a traitor– Helena must make a decision about what's really worth fighting for...
I didn't intend this episode to run as long as it did. But I couldn't stop writing it. I was having too much fun putting Helena's volatile personality against Skylar's shyness and Alec's smart-ass behavior. I didn't run into as many hiccups as I thought I would, and it was fun to put Helena in a really tense situation.
I'll be focusing on big projects for the rest of the year, but I'll still take breaks to write the Blood Moon series. The end is in sight, but it's still a long ways away. Plenty of action to come before the grand finale!
Cheers!
Amy
Thursday, 30 April 2015
Blood Moon: Apex Predator
It's the end of the month already, which means it's time for the next Blood Moon episode! And trust me– This one is quite intense!
After nearly a decade of hunting, Alec Vermont has finally found his arch enemy, Quentin Troy. But any thrill he might have experienced is crushed when he learns that Quentin ordered the death of his father, and is holding his mother and sister captive. Despite the warnings given to him by an old friend, Alec storms the location in hopes of getting his revenge. What he walks into is a devastating trap that he may not survive without help...
So we're here, around the halfway mark of the series. I couldn't imagine a more distinctive middle ground, with Alec and Quentin finally confronting each other after so long, and Helena playing a key role in this particular episode. I had a lot of ideas for this installment, and enjoyed writing it. The challenge for each episode of Blood Moon seems to be finding a way to make each new story more intense than the last. Doing so after this one will be tricky, but I love challenges.
Really hope you enjoyed this free read. Feel free to leave some comments so I can get feedback!
Cheers!
Amy
After nearly a decade of hunting, Alec Vermont has finally found his arch enemy, Quentin Troy. But any thrill he might have experienced is crushed when he learns that Quentin ordered the death of his father, and is holding his mother and sister captive. Despite the warnings given to him by an old friend, Alec storms the location in hopes of getting his revenge. What he walks into is a devastating trap that he may not survive without help...
So we're here, around the halfway mark of the series. I couldn't imagine a more distinctive middle ground, with Alec and Quentin finally confronting each other after so long, and Helena playing a key role in this particular episode. I had a lot of ideas for this installment, and enjoyed writing it. The challenge for each episode of Blood Moon seems to be finding a way to make each new story more intense than the last. Doing so after this one will be tricky, but I love challenges.
Really hope you enjoyed this free read. Feel free to leave some comments so I can get feedback!
Cheers!
Amy
Thursday, 1 January 2015
Blood Moon: Cornered Hound
Now that NaNoWriMo and Path of the Horseman is going through the editing phase, it's time to get back to my monthly blog series: Blood Moon. You'll be able to catch up with the series on my blog, but if you've been patiently waiting and are eager for the next story, here's Skylar's...
Becoming a monster hasn't been easy for Skylar. The Council sees her as a risk, she can't control her deadly impulses, and the man she's falling for is keeping secrets for her. Forced into house arrest under the full moon, Skylar fully expects her night to pass by without incident. But other monsters are walking the streets, and they're closer than Skylar realizes. If she's going to save her friends and the man she loves, Skylar will have to embrace her new nature...
Becoming a monster hasn't been easy for Skylar. The Council sees her as a risk, she can't control her deadly impulses, and the man she's falling for is keeping secrets for her. Forced into house arrest under the full moon, Skylar fully expects her night to pass by without incident. But other monsters are walking the streets, and they're closer than Skylar realizes. If she's going to save her friends and the man she loves, Skylar will have to embrace her new nature...
- - -
- - -
Now that I've virtually mapped out the rest of the series, I can honestly say that I'm excited for Skylar's progress. It's fun to make her grow and test her new limits, to have her surprise herself when she's fighting for her life. Putting Skylar with Quentin, the monster who helped make her what she is, will be a wild adventure that I can't wait to write.
Hope you enjoy the story! I love feedback, so feel free to leave a comment below!
Amy
Friday, 31 October 2014
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapters 18 and 19
They're here! The last chapters of Cursed: Demon's Daughter!
In chapter 18, Constance desperately searches for a way to save Dro and herself from certain death, and Constance learns the truth about her sister.
In chapter 19, Constance accepts her allies, and contemplates the calm before the storm.
- - -
- - -
And that's that! The last chapters of my nearly completed trilogy! I had a great time figuring out how Constance and Dro would make it out, and it was nice to finally reveal the truth about Dro. I knew what she was the moment I started the series, and it was fun to hold the secret until the end.
I want to say it's a relief to have the series completed, but there's still so much work that needs to be done. I'm hoping to hear from my editor soon so I can further progress with the series and make all the changes that need to be made. I know there will be some, but it will be nice to have an outside opinion and see how much work really needs to be done.
All in all, I hope you enjoyed the pieces of this story as much as I did writing it. I think it's obvious that I hold this story close to my heart, and that your as excited about its future as I am.
Cheers!
Amy
In chapter 18, Constance desperately searches for a way to save Dro and herself from certain death, and Constance learns the truth about her sister.
In chapter 19, Constance accepts her allies, and contemplates the calm before the storm.
- - -
- - -
And that's that! The last chapters of my nearly completed trilogy! I had a great time figuring out how Constance and Dro would make it out, and it was nice to finally reveal the truth about Dro. I knew what she was the moment I started the series, and it was fun to hold the secret until the end.
I want to say it's a relief to have the series completed, but there's still so much work that needs to be done. I'm hoping to hear from my editor soon so I can further progress with the series and make all the changes that need to be made. I know there will be some, but it will be nice to have an outside opinion and see how much work really needs to be done.
All in all, I hope you enjoyed the pieces of this story as much as I did writing it. I think it's obvious that I hold this story close to my heart, and that your as excited about its future as I am.
Cheers!
Amy
Tuesday, 30 September 2014
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapters 16 and 17
Two more chapters of Cursed: Demon's Daughter. Getting close to the grande finale!
In chapter 16, Constance, Warrick, and Max struggle through vicious trials to find Dro.
In chapter 17, Constance finds the answers she's looking for, but is faced with an evil she never imagined could exist, and one that she knows she can't fight.
- - -
- - -
Why are you looking at me like that? Of course I couldn't make it easy for Constance to find her sister. What fun would that be?
In all seriousness, I'm glad I wrote the trials the way I did. I had a little bit of difficulty deciding what to throw at the heroes, but I figured I came up with some fun, exciting options. I'm not really like Constance, though I can tell you that we do share a strong dislike for spiders, and writing that trial made me cringe a couple times.
Bringing in Lucifer as the big bad guy made more sense than anyone else. I mean really– what can be more terrifying then the Devil himself? He's hugely popular in fiction and everyone has their own interpretation, and I was a fan of the King of Hell/fallen angel turned demon route. He's a brutal enemy later in the series, and I think bringing him in was one of the best choices I made for the series.
Only two chapters left! Hold your breath, and thanks for sticking with me so far!
Amy
In chapter 16, Constance, Warrick, and Max struggle through vicious trials to find Dro.
In chapter 17, Constance finds the answers she's looking for, but is faced with an evil she never imagined could exist, and one that she knows she can't fight.
- - -
- - -
Why are you looking at me like that? Of course I couldn't make it easy for Constance to find her sister. What fun would that be?
In all seriousness, I'm glad I wrote the trials the way I did. I had a little bit of difficulty deciding what to throw at the heroes, but I figured I came up with some fun, exciting options. I'm not really like Constance, though I can tell you that we do share a strong dislike for spiders, and writing that trial made me cringe a couple times.
Bringing in Lucifer as the big bad guy made more sense than anyone else. I mean really– what can be more terrifying then the Devil himself? He's hugely popular in fiction and everyone has their own interpretation, and I was a fan of the King of Hell/fallen angel turned demon route. He's a brutal enemy later in the series, and I think bringing him in was one of the best choices I made for the series.
Only two chapters left! Hold your breath, and thanks for sticking with me so far!
Amy
Sunday, 31 August 2014
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapters 14 and 15
Things are getting tense in Cursed: Demon's Daughter aren't they? Well, here are the next two chapters to keep you from stressing.
In chapter 14, Constance panics about Dro's capture, and is forced to retell a terrible memory.
In chapter 15, The group goes to Athens, and soon see that something is very wrong.
- - -
- - -
Writing Constance's breakdown was one of my favorite parts in chapter 14. I think by now it's obvious that she's tough, but her weak spot is one that can be exploited all too easily. As far as the flashback, that was something I had planned for a long time. I think it was a pretty good reconstruction of the chaos.
As soon as I did my research on Athens, Texas, I knew that was the place to set the stage for the last chapters. It's got some pretty freaky stories and I integrated a little of my own creativity into it. Admittedly, these last two chapters were a bit of breathing room. The next few however... Well, let's just say that nothing makes a story exciting like an excessive amount of demonic peril.
Enjoy!
Amy
In chapter 14, Constance panics about Dro's capture, and is forced to retell a terrible memory.
In chapter 15, The group goes to Athens, and soon see that something is very wrong.
- - -
- - -
Writing Constance's breakdown was one of my favorite parts in chapter 14. I think by now it's obvious that she's tough, but her weak spot is one that can be exploited all too easily. As far as the flashback, that was something I had planned for a long time. I think it was a pretty good reconstruction of the chaos.
As soon as I did my research on Athens, Texas, I knew that was the place to set the stage for the last chapters. It's got some pretty freaky stories and I integrated a little of my own creativity into it. Admittedly, these last two chapters were a bit of breathing room. The next few however... Well, let's just say that nothing makes a story exciting like an excessive amount of demonic peril.
Enjoy!
Amy
Thursday, 31 July 2014
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapters 12 and 13
Two more chapters of Cursed: Demon's Daughter are ready to read! Things are getting intense from here on out!
In chapter 12, Constance and Dro learn more about the supernatural, and Dro has doubts.
In chapter 13, Constance learns more about Warrick, until demons appear with a horrible surprise.
- - -
- - -
I loved building the mythology for chapter 12. I spent a lot of time reading about different forms of possession and demonic hierarchies and mixing in my own ideas. Research is so much easier when you're actually interested in the subject. Another favorite part of this chapter for me was adding a little more back story to Sephiel. He's one of my favorite characters in the series, and I love the history I wrote for him, which is revealed more in Dark Divinity. Lastly, of all the flashbacks in this story, the one with Dro, Constance, and Isabel is a point of pride. It shows how that even as a child, Constance was wary of anyone looking at her sister wrong, ready to defend her even when she didn't know how to fight as well as she does in her adulthood.
As for chapter 13, it's another one of my favorites. It didn't take me long to write since the action scenes just seemed to flow from my brain to my fingertips to the keyboard. The Shredder didn't take a lot of thought because they had already been in the original Cursed. The ending scene with Drake felt like a nasty twist, which I hate to love as a reader. Knowing I've put other readers in the same position brings an evil smile to my face.
Anyway, this is what's going on in the Cursed world right now. I hope you enjoyed these latest chapters, and trust me when I say it's only going to get more intense.
Cheers!
Amy
In chapter 12, Constance and Dro learn more about the supernatural, and Dro has doubts.
In chapter 13, Constance learns more about Warrick, until demons appear with a horrible surprise.
- - -
- - -
I loved building the mythology for chapter 12. I spent a lot of time reading about different forms of possession and demonic hierarchies and mixing in my own ideas. Research is so much easier when you're actually interested in the subject. Another favorite part of this chapter for me was adding a little more back story to Sephiel. He's one of my favorite characters in the series, and I love the history I wrote for him, which is revealed more in Dark Divinity. Lastly, of all the flashbacks in this story, the one with Dro, Constance, and Isabel is a point of pride. It shows how that even as a child, Constance was wary of anyone looking at her sister wrong, ready to defend her even when she didn't know how to fight as well as she does in her adulthood.
As for chapter 13, it's another one of my favorites. It didn't take me long to write since the action scenes just seemed to flow from my brain to my fingertips to the keyboard. The Shredder didn't take a lot of thought because they had already been in the original Cursed. The ending scene with Drake felt like a nasty twist, which I hate to love as a reader. Knowing I've put other readers in the same position brings an evil smile to my face.
Anyway, this is what's going on in the Cursed world right now. I hope you enjoyed these latest chapters, and trust me when I say it's only going to get more intense.
Cheers!
Amy
Monday, 30 June 2014
Blood Moon: New Moon
Don't worry– it has nothing to do with Twilight...
Skylar longs for longs for adventure, excitement, and possibly a date with her co-worker Damon. But after a car accident that leads her to meeting a dangerous looking stranger, Skylar notices a change in Damon's behavior. She's determined to find out what is bothering him, but she isn't prepared for the consequences, and soon her adventure becomes a nightmare.
- - -
- - -
At first, I struggled with this story. I didn't have a clear concept of what I was going to do, how I was going to make it matter in the end. But I worked through it, edited and thought, and eventually came up with a story that surprised me. I had a lot of fun writing Skylar's adventure, especially her big change at the end. It will be a lot of fun to continue making her grow as a character, and put her in confusing situations regarding the Council and the werewolf society. Particularly since like me, Skylar hates politics. Hope you enjoyed reading this!
Amy
Skylar longs for longs for adventure, excitement, and possibly a date with her co-worker Damon. But after a car accident that leads her to meeting a dangerous looking stranger, Skylar notices a change in Damon's behavior. She's determined to find out what is bothering him, but she isn't prepared for the consequences, and soon her adventure becomes a nightmare.
- - -
- - -
At first, I struggled with this story. I didn't have a clear concept of what I was going to do, how I was going to make it matter in the end. But I worked through it, edited and thought, and eventually came up with a story that surprised me. I had a lot of fun writing Skylar's adventure, especially her big change at the end. It will be a lot of fun to continue making her grow as a character, and put her in confusing situations regarding the Council and the werewolf society. Particularly since like me, Skylar hates politics. Hope you enjoyed reading this!
Amy
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapters 10 and 11
Here are the next two chapters of Cursed: Demon's Daughter!
In chapter 10: Constance suffers from her possession, meets new allies, and starts to learn why the demons are interested in her sister.
In chapter 11: Dro fears that she'll get Constance hurt or killed, and Constance learns more about the people she's with.
- - -
- - -
Every demon story should or does have a connection to angels. The darkness needs the light to counteract it, right? This is the point of the story where I got to have fun with angel mythology. I have always loved the concept of Nephilim and was eager to put my own spin on it. I was also excited to introduce two more of my favorite characters, Warrick and Sephiel. Warrick is an older character from my previous concept, but he's gotten a lot darker in this version. Sephiel on the other hand was created in the modern version, and is one of my most favorite characters. He has a big back story and I think I've constructed him pretty well.
Admittedly these are slower chapters, but I thought it would be a good idea to slow down and introduce everyone and give more background on what's going on. I'm really happy with these chapters, and think they're a nice little break. The gang is going to need it. Hope you enjoyed reading these snippets!
Amy
In chapter 10: Constance suffers from her possession, meets new allies, and starts to learn why the demons are interested in her sister.
In chapter 11: Dro fears that she'll get Constance hurt or killed, and Constance learns more about the people she's with.
- - -
- - -
Every demon story should or does have a connection to angels. The darkness needs the light to counteract it, right? This is the point of the story where I got to have fun with angel mythology. I have always loved the concept of Nephilim and was eager to put my own spin on it. I was also excited to introduce two more of my favorite characters, Warrick and Sephiel. Warrick is an older character from my previous concept, but he's gotten a lot darker in this version. Sephiel on the other hand was created in the modern version, and is one of my most favorite characters. He has a big back story and I think I've constructed him pretty well.
Admittedly these are slower chapters, but I thought it would be a good idea to slow down and introduce everyone and give more background on what's going on. I'm really happy with these chapters, and think they're a nice little break. The gang is going to need it. Hope you enjoyed reading these snippets!
Amy
Hollow Hill Chapters 14, 15, and Epilogue
This is it! The grand finale, the big showdown, the ultimate battle! Will Derek, Liam, and Selena survive? Or have their enemies become too powerful to overcome?
In chapter 14: Derek confronts Thomas for the final time.
In chapter 15: Derek and Liam face Lilith, and the consequences of her actions.
In the epilogue: The group steadily deals with everything that's happened, and what will come next.
- - -
- - -
Chapter 14 flew by as I was writing it. There was so much action, so many close calls that even I was cringing. I definitely put Derek through the ringer. But I never wanted to create a hero who would have it easy. I read a quote once that said "The Hero Doesn't Get The Reward. The Hero Pays The Price." If that doesn't describe Derek, nothing else will. I was really proud of the final fight with Derek and Thomas, to show how different things are now that Derek is the heir of Ares.
The next chapter had a lot going on in a little time. Lilith might not have been as formidable physically as Derek or Thomas or even Liam, but she was no pushover. Bringing Charon into the equation was a fun, different way of introducing the gods now that they've been awakened. I figured I would start small. The heavy hitters will enter the series in later books.
The epilogue actually went through a few changes. Most of them were due to length. I added in two scenes with Derek and Liam. The one where they've named their new weapons is actually only a couple weeks old, and I was pretty pleased with it. All great warriors and heroes typically have a weapon named after them, so I thought Derek and Liam could use some. I also loved writing Derek's scene with Selena and the little comfort they're all beginning to have with each other. I love these characters and am excited about taking them on new adventures in the future.
Hollow Hill remains one of my favorite stories. It's come a long way since last November, surprised me in ways I couldn't have imagined, and will only continue to improve. It's not yet a finished project, but it's been an absolute joy to create and write, and hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I have.
Amy
In chapter 14: Derek confronts Thomas for the final time.
In chapter 15: Derek and Liam face Lilith, and the consequences of her actions.
In the epilogue: The group steadily deals with everything that's happened, and what will come next.
- - -
- - -
Chapter 14 flew by as I was writing it. There was so much action, so many close calls that even I was cringing. I definitely put Derek through the ringer. But I never wanted to create a hero who would have it easy. I read a quote once that said "The Hero Doesn't Get The Reward. The Hero Pays The Price." If that doesn't describe Derek, nothing else will. I was really proud of the final fight with Derek and Thomas, to show how different things are now that Derek is the heir of Ares.
The next chapter had a lot going on in a little time. Lilith might not have been as formidable physically as Derek or Thomas or even Liam, but she was no pushover. Bringing Charon into the equation was a fun, different way of introducing the gods now that they've been awakened. I figured I would start small. The heavy hitters will enter the series in later books.
The epilogue actually went through a few changes. Most of them were due to length. I added in two scenes with Derek and Liam. The one where they've named their new weapons is actually only a couple weeks old, and I was pretty pleased with it. All great warriors and heroes typically have a weapon named after them, so I thought Derek and Liam could use some. I also loved writing Derek's scene with Selena and the little comfort they're all beginning to have with each other. I love these characters and am excited about taking them on new adventures in the future.
Hollow Hill remains one of my favorite stories. It's come a long way since last November, surprised me in ways I couldn't have imagined, and will only continue to improve. It's not yet a finished project, but it's been an absolute joy to create and write, and hope you all have enjoyed it as much as I have.
Amy
Saturday, 31 May 2014
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapters 8 and 9
The next two chapters of Cursed: Demon's Daughter are two of my favorites, chapter 9 especially. Yes, I caused my main character an incredible amount of pain. But I also think I amped up the stakes and the tension to the perfect degree. Do I sound a little prideful? Yes. Did I have to make changes? Yes. Will I have to make more. Yes. But for now, you can see just how bad things go for Constance and Dro. Spoilers ahead!
In chapter 8, Max, Constance and Dro consider angels, and the Garcia residence gets an unwelcome visitor with awful intentions.
In chapter 9, Constance and Dro find themselves in a trap that not even Constance can escape, and that demons aren't the only creatures looking for them.
- - -
- - -
Even when Demon's Daughter was in its older setting, I knew that Manny was going to die at Drake's hand. It was one of those things where I said to myself, "Yeah, it's not fair, but it's got to be done." Drake is one of the nastiest characters I've ever written. Sometimes you can find a soft spot for your villains, but I don't for Drake. Knowing what I plan for him to do later makes me loathe him, and I wouldn't write him any other way.
Chapter 9 was a blast. I've always considered genuine demonic possession to be one of the worst things that can ever happen to a person, and this scene actually inspired my short story that will be seen in Amok! later this year. Constance has been through hells that readers won't even know yet, but she was always in control of her body, mind and soul. She's never been through anything like this, and it's not something that will ever forget. It was a little bizarre for me to write in present tense rather than past. I've always been a fan of writing like I'm sitting down telling someone an experience that I survived, but it had been suggested to me that I try another tactic to make the scene more believable and less confusing. In the end, it was a great choice, so thank you Kaitlyn and Kevin!
I know that a lot has happened in these two chapters– a death, a shooting, demonic attack, possession, two angels, and a demon slayer, but I promise it will all make sense. Next month you get to meet two of my favorite characters, so I hope you enjoy these chapters until then. :)
Amy
In chapter 8, Max, Constance and Dro consider angels, and the Garcia residence gets an unwelcome visitor with awful intentions.
In chapter 9, Constance and Dro find themselves in a trap that not even Constance can escape, and that demons aren't the only creatures looking for them.
- - -
- - -
Even when Demon's Daughter was in its older setting, I knew that Manny was going to die at Drake's hand. It was one of those things where I said to myself, "Yeah, it's not fair, but it's got to be done." Drake is one of the nastiest characters I've ever written. Sometimes you can find a soft spot for your villains, but I don't for Drake. Knowing what I plan for him to do later makes me loathe him, and I wouldn't write him any other way.
Chapter 9 was a blast. I've always considered genuine demonic possession to be one of the worst things that can ever happen to a person, and this scene actually inspired my short story that will be seen in Amok! later this year. Constance has been through hells that readers won't even know yet, but she was always in control of her body, mind and soul. She's never been through anything like this, and it's not something that will ever forget. It was a little bizarre for me to write in present tense rather than past. I've always been a fan of writing like I'm sitting down telling someone an experience that I survived, but it had been suggested to me that I try another tactic to make the scene more believable and less confusing. In the end, it was a great choice, so thank you Kaitlyn and Kevin!
I know that a lot has happened in these two chapters– a death, a shooting, demonic attack, possession, two angels, and a demon slayer, but I promise it will all make sense. Next month you get to meet two of my favorite characters, so I hope you enjoy these chapters until then. :)
Amy
Hollow Hill Chapters 12 and 13
We're getting close to the grand finale! I love driving up the tension and exhausting the characters to make their final battle all the more challenging.
In chapter 12, Derek and Liam decide to take up new power as the heirs of Ares, and go on the hunt for Selena and her captors.
In chapter 13, Derek and Liam face off against Lilith's traps, and Derek learns just how powerful his new abilities and weapon can be.
- - -
- - -
Derek and Liam could never be typical scions. I intended them to be stronger in almost every aspect, and that meant making them demi-gods. I've always been interested in the concept of what it would be like to be the child of two powerful gods, and this seemed like the perfect time to reiterate how strong they are. My first intention was to give Derek the sword of Ares, until I remembered that every image I've ever seen of Ares has been one of him holding a spear. Didn't seem right to give him a sword after making him the heir of Ares.
Chapter 13 was simple and pure fun to write. One of my favorite parts about writing Hollow Hill and the Areios Brothers in general is that all my research involves looking up monsters, re-reading some of my favorite stories, and looking at art to see how others have interpenetrated famous monsters. The fight with Derek and the Manticore was my favorite. I put a lot of work into it because Manticore's are one of the coolest mythological monsters ever. What can be more terrifying than a lion with a scorpion tail? Not much. Derek's powers were always meant to be astonishing and absolutely lethal because that's what Ares is. When he's put in a corner and forced to fight out of desperation, Derek only battles harder. It's one of the things I love about him. I always push him to the limit, just to see how far he can go.
Next month I'll be posting the final chapters of Hollow Hill. I say final, but anyone who's read my other posts knows that it won't be the final product. But it's nice to have it out here, letting other people know that it's coming. You get an inside look into my head and see the madness going on, and hopefully you'll be excited for the final, final story. I know I am.
Amy
In chapter 12, Derek and Liam decide to take up new power as the heirs of Ares, and go on the hunt for Selena and her captors.
In chapter 13, Derek and Liam face off against Lilith's traps, and Derek learns just how powerful his new abilities and weapon can be.
- - -
- - -
Derek and Liam could never be typical scions. I intended them to be stronger in almost every aspect, and that meant making them demi-gods. I've always been interested in the concept of what it would be like to be the child of two powerful gods, and this seemed like the perfect time to reiterate how strong they are. My first intention was to give Derek the sword of Ares, until I remembered that every image I've ever seen of Ares has been one of him holding a spear. Didn't seem right to give him a sword after making him the heir of Ares.
Chapter 13 was simple and pure fun to write. One of my favorite parts about writing Hollow Hill and the Areios Brothers in general is that all my research involves looking up monsters, re-reading some of my favorite stories, and looking at art to see how others have interpenetrated famous monsters. The fight with Derek and the Manticore was my favorite. I put a lot of work into it because Manticore's are one of the coolest mythological monsters ever. What can be more terrifying than a lion with a scorpion tail? Not much. Derek's powers were always meant to be astonishing and absolutely lethal because that's what Ares is. When he's put in a corner and forced to fight out of desperation, Derek only battles harder. It's one of the things I love about him. I always push him to the limit, just to see how far he can go.
Next month I'll be posting the final chapters of Hollow Hill. I say final, but anyone who's read my other posts knows that it won't be the final product. But it's nice to have it out here, letting other people know that it's coming. You get an inside look into my head and see the madness going on, and hopefully you'll be excited for the final, final story. I know I am.
Amy
Thursday, 1 May 2014
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapter 7
Chapter 7 of Cursed: Demon's Daughter is ready to read!
In this chapter, Manny and Max learn about Constance's dark past, Manny makes his own confession, and Constance remembers when Dro told their parents her secret...
- - -
- - -
I figured it was time to shed some light on some of Constance's past darkness. She's done things she isn't proud of, but she did them to keep her and Dro safe. Manny is of the personal belief that anyone can change, and he appreciates honesty more than anything else. No matter how rough around the edges she is and used to be, Constance never really enjoyed hurting anyone, mostly because of Dro. How Constance appears in Dro's eyes matters more to her than almost anything in her life, but some habits aren't easy to break.
I also enjoyed writing the end of the flashback where young Dro finally gives up her secret to her parents. She doesn't like being seen as a freak when her family is so devoted to her. Dro's powers are dangerous and unstable, and it's hard to imagine how scary it must be to reveal them, even to your parents and your sister. It takes a lot of courage to do that, and despite how scared Dro is, she knows she has to grow up and face her own reality– that she'll never be normal, no matter what she does.
So, that's the latest chapter! Next month I'll be posting two chapters instead of one, since there's a lot of excitement coming up. I love getting feedback, so feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think! :)
Amy
In this chapter, Manny and Max learn about Constance's dark past, Manny makes his own confession, and Constance remembers when Dro told their parents her secret...
- - -
- - -
I figured it was time to shed some light on some of Constance's past darkness. She's done things she isn't proud of, but she did them to keep her and Dro safe. Manny is of the personal belief that anyone can change, and he appreciates honesty more than anything else. No matter how rough around the edges she is and used to be, Constance never really enjoyed hurting anyone, mostly because of Dro. How Constance appears in Dro's eyes matters more to her than almost anything in her life, but some habits aren't easy to break.
I also enjoyed writing the end of the flashback where young Dro finally gives up her secret to her parents. She doesn't like being seen as a freak when her family is so devoted to her. Dro's powers are dangerous and unstable, and it's hard to imagine how scary it must be to reveal them, even to your parents and your sister. It takes a lot of courage to do that, and despite how scared Dro is, she knows she has to grow up and face her own reality– that she'll never be normal, no matter what she does.
So, that's the latest chapter! Next month I'll be posting two chapters instead of one, since there's a lot of excitement coming up. I love getting feedback, so feel free to leave a comment and let me know what you think! :)
Amy
Hollow Hill Chapters 10 and 11
Okay, okay, you can stop holding your breath– the cliffhanger is over! And in case you were wondering, yes, I did absolutely intend to finish that chapter that way. So why don't you ease your minds and check out the latest chapters of Hollow Hill?
NOTE: Because this has been a work in progress, you may notice a major change that I made. Descendants now call each other scions, and Normals and the Inquisition are the ones who call them witches. This was suggested to me a little while ago, and now I'm grateful to have made the change. Having said that, it's really the only major change that I plan to make.
In chapter 10, Derek and Liam face monsters and nightmares they never imagined.
In chapter 11, Derek and Liam are taken hostage, and Selena shares a revealing vision with Derek.
- - -
- - -
After the big reveal at the end of chapter 9, I wanted to focus on Liam's fear more than Derek's. When it comes to combat, Derek tends to be ready for anything, no matter how terrible it is. Liam... not so much, especially when he learns his sadistic father has been resurrected. Doing research and deciding on what sort of monsters to use was a lot of fun. Harpies tend to the a logical choice since they're a famous Greek monster, but Eurynomus demons are a little less known. If there's one thing I love, it's coming up with designing new creatures.
One of my favorite parts in chapter 11 was Derek's dream of Selena. Not just because I love them together, but because I gave myself a chance to play with her power a little bit more. She's one of my favorite characters and as a Titan heir, she has almost limitless power when she puts her mind to it. The dream scene was important because Derek needed to find out that he was a direct heir of Ares. It's the reason he's able to use more power than Liam at some point. Derek and Liam are the descendants of Ares and another goddess. Yes, I know who. No, I'm not telling. But if you're up on your mythology, the answer might surprise you.
It also gave me a chance to introduce the Titans as a viable threat (let's face it– they are), and add more to Derek's relationship with Selena. In a previous chapter (which were edited since being posted, and yes, I'm going to try and fix that), Selena came close to kissing Derek. Her making up for it and transferring some magic to him was relevant in more than one way.
So, these are the latest chapters of Hollow Hill! Like I said, I will try and go back and fix the old posts so everything is up to date. If something doesn't make sense in the meantime, drop me a comment and I'll make sure you're question's answered. Thanks for reading! :)
Amy
NOTE: Because this has been a work in progress, you may notice a major change that I made. Descendants now call each other scions, and Normals and the Inquisition are the ones who call them witches. This was suggested to me a little while ago, and now I'm grateful to have made the change. Having said that, it's really the only major change that I plan to make.
In chapter 10, Derek and Liam face monsters and nightmares they never imagined.
In chapter 11, Derek and Liam are taken hostage, and Selena shares a revealing vision with Derek.
- - -
- - -
After the big reveal at the end of chapter 9, I wanted to focus on Liam's fear more than Derek's. When it comes to combat, Derek tends to be ready for anything, no matter how terrible it is. Liam... not so much, especially when he learns his sadistic father has been resurrected. Doing research and deciding on what sort of monsters to use was a lot of fun. Harpies tend to the a logical choice since they're a famous Greek monster, but Eurynomus demons are a little less known. If there's one thing I love, it's coming up with designing new creatures.
One of my favorite parts in chapter 11 was Derek's dream of Selena. Not just because I love them together, but because I gave myself a chance to play with her power a little bit more. She's one of my favorite characters and as a Titan heir, she has almost limitless power when she puts her mind to it. The dream scene was important because Derek needed to find out that he was a direct heir of Ares. It's the reason he's able to use more power than Liam at some point. Derek and Liam are the descendants of Ares and another goddess. Yes, I know who. No, I'm not telling. But if you're up on your mythology, the answer might surprise you.
It also gave me a chance to introduce the Titans as a viable threat (let's face it– they are), and add more to Derek's relationship with Selena. In a previous chapter (which were edited since being posted, and yes, I'm going to try and fix that), Selena came close to kissing Derek. Her making up for it and transferring some magic to him was relevant in more than one way.
So, these are the latest chapters of Hollow Hill! Like I said, I will try and go back and fix the old posts so everything is up to date. If something doesn't make sense in the meantime, drop me a comment and I'll make sure you're question's answered. Thanks for reading! :)
Amy
Monday, 31 March 2014
Hollow Hill: Chapters 8 and 9
Two more chapters from Hollow Hill have arrived! And what's even better, is that these are freshly edited chapters that go more into the mythology of this world, Liam's anxiety, Derek's feelings toward Selena, and even a couple monsters. So if you've been reading for the last little while and something seems out of place, have no fear! I'm going to be posting the new versions on Authonomy and Figment, so you'll be able to read the fully edited chapters on there. I don't like leaving readers confused!
In chapter 8, Derek, Liam, and Selena take the perilous journey up to Hollow Hill. In chapter 9, the group realizes that their enemies have their own plans, and that they might have just walked into a trap...
- - -
- - -
Well, where to start? Chapter 8 was probably the most difficult chapter for me to write, because I just didn't know what to do. I had to make the journey up Hollow Hill perilous, even though Derek and Liam have been there before. The Areios brothers can never catch a break, so they weren't going to have a simple walk in the park.
Chapter 9 is a lot longer than it originally was, because I added in Liam's nervousness on coming back. He was very shaken up about going back there, but his need to overcome his fear is stronger than his actual fear.
Derek and Selena's relationship is one of my favorite things in the series (I can't even tell you how many scenes I have planned for the two of them) and I wanted to make it grow as naturally as possible. In all practicality, they're opposites: Derek's element is fire, Selena's is water. He's a warrior, she's a healer. But they aren't like others in their Families. Derek isn't a bloodthirsty psychopath, and Selena isn't a dainty flower. Those differences are what draw them together, instead of pushing them apart.
The end fight scene and reveal of the Mercenary was one of my favorite things to write in these chapters. It was great (for me) to leave the chapter on a cliffhanger. I complain all the time about cliffhangers, but I get why authors write them: they're so much fun. I'm not completely ruthless when I do them (sometimes), but leaving readers with that shocked oh no! feeling is something I can't imagine not doing.
So while I am sorry for leaving you guys with a cliffhanger for a month, but I hope you like these chapters. They were so much fun to write, and I can't wait to share what happens next. Cheers!
Amy
In chapter 8, Derek, Liam, and Selena take the perilous journey up to Hollow Hill. In chapter 9, the group realizes that their enemies have their own plans, and that they might have just walked into a trap...
- - -
- - -
Well, where to start? Chapter 8 was probably the most difficult chapter for me to write, because I just didn't know what to do. I had to make the journey up Hollow Hill perilous, even though Derek and Liam have been there before. The Areios brothers can never catch a break, so they weren't going to have a simple walk in the park.
Chapter 9 is a lot longer than it originally was, because I added in Liam's nervousness on coming back. He was very shaken up about going back there, but his need to overcome his fear is stronger than his actual fear.
Derek and Selena's relationship is one of my favorite things in the series (I can't even tell you how many scenes I have planned for the two of them) and I wanted to make it grow as naturally as possible. In all practicality, they're opposites: Derek's element is fire, Selena's is water. He's a warrior, she's a healer. But they aren't like others in their Families. Derek isn't a bloodthirsty psychopath, and Selena isn't a dainty flower. Those differences are what draw them together, instead of pushing them apart.
The end fight scene and reveal of the Mercenary was one of my favorite things to write in these chapters. It was great (for me) to leave the chapter on a cliffhanger. I complain all the time about cliffhangers, but I get why authors write them: they're so much fun. I'm not completely ruthless when I do them (sometimes), but leaving readers with that shocked oh no! feeling is something I can't imagine not doing.
So while I am sorry for leaving you guys with a cliffhanger for a month, but I hope you like these chapters. They were so much fun to write, and I can't wait to share what happens next. Cheers!
Amy
Cursed: Demon's Daughter Chapter 6
Here's chapter 6 of Cursed: Demon's Daughter!
In this chapter, Constance reflects on life with Manny and Max, and decides that summoning a demon might answer some questions she has...
- - -
- - -
One of my favorite kinds of mythological monsters are Nephilim. They're really popular in the media right now– think Devil May Cry: DmC and The Mortal Instruments to start– because they're the children of angels and humans, but considered dangerous. Even monsters. Those were the two reasons I wanted to depict Dro as one. Despite her sweet demeanor, she's extremely dangerous to everything and everyone around her. She's an outcast, and it makes Constance desperate enough to do thinks she wouldn't normally do. Like summon a demon.
Constance will make all the excuses she wants about how she's doing it to keep training, but at the end of the day it comes down to her wanting to protect her little sister. Obviously I wasn't going to let it go her way, and it was fun to end it the way I did, with the two mysterious figures watching her. I gotta say, this is one of the reasons I love writing– I can smile and say: I know something you don't know! That might make me a little evil, but the whole point of writing is to entertain. If you aren't having fun, then why waste your time?
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter of Cursed: Demon's Daughter as much as I did writing it. Cheers!
Amy
In this chapter, Constance reflects on life with Manny and Max, and decides that summoning a demon might answer some questions she has...
- - -
- - -
One of my favorite kinds of mythological monsters are Nephilim. They're really popular in the media right now– think Devil May Cry: DmC and The Mortal Instruments to start– because they're the children of angels and humans, but considered dangerous. Even monsters. Those were the two reasons I wanted to depict Dro as one. Despite her sweet demeanor, she's extremely dangerous to everything and everyone around her. She's an outcast, and it makes Constance desperate enough to do thinks she wouldn't normally do. Like summon a demon.
Constance will make all the excuses she wants about how she's doing it to keep training, but at the end of the day it comes down to her wanting to protect her little sister. Obviously I wasn't going to let it go her way, and it was fun to end it the way I did, with the two mysterious figures watching her. I gotta say, this is one of the reasons I love writing– I can smile and say: I know something you don't know! That might make me a little evil, but the whole point of writing is to entertain. If you aren't having fun, then why waste your time?
I really hope you enjoyed this chapter of Cursed: Demon's Daughter as much as I did writing it. Cheers!
Amy
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