Whenever I'm asked the question, which fictional world would I want to live in, I always choose Narnia without hesitation. Who doesn't want to find a magical land of talking beasts and epic destinies hidden in their wardrobe...err, closet? For years, I have wanted to write my own portal-style fantasy, and now I'm ready for you to meet that world in my upcoming series IN TIME AND MEMORY. I've been building that world for some time now - with its three kingdoms of water, earth, and sky, and the people who belong to it as empathy effectors, time trekkers, and memory mappers.
And of course, there will be dragons and merfolk! Not your typical merfolk, however. The people of the water kingdom (the empathy effectors) are fully human, with the ability to manipulate water into many forms (as water weavers). Their kingdom was the first that I explored, as one of my favorite male main characters, Kelsea, belongs to this world. What makes them especially important to this series is that they are the guardians of the portals which connect this fantasy world to ours.
I was in the midst of writing the pilot episode, when I discovered I had the makings for a stand-alone prequel (going back a few generations), in which a 'princess from the sea' meets with the 'king of the earth' - and, of course, they must fall in love. It was this prequel that encouraged me to dive deeper into the beliefs of the water kingdom and how it ties into the mythology of what we call 'mermaids/mermen' - half human and half fish.
This prequel is my current project, a short story, which I hope to have finished by the end of this month. Publishing plans are in the works, and I hope that is something I can announce soon! This story will be a challenge for me, as a writer, because I'm used to writing 500 page novels, and the last time I successfully wrote a short story was at least ten years ago. Oh my; here goes.
WRITER'S LIFE: For the first time this summer, I visited the botanical gardens located near me - I didn't even know there was one so close! - for a sunny-day trek through beautiful nature. There were some lovely, peaceful spots that make me want to go there more often, take my laptop, and draw inspiration as I explore the earth kingdom in my new series. I particularly loved the small, out-of-the-way wood stump table and chairs discovered along a narrow forest walking path (photo above).
I also celebrated my cat, Captain Cal, turning 10 years old this year; he had to endure a photoshoot outside, but then got to roam and play for awhile.
Looking for your next clean dystopian?? SKY EVER FALLS was written with fans of Divergent, The Hunger Games, and The Selection series in mind, but with an inspirational and faith-foundation. Galilea Noy struggles to hold onto that faith in a world determined to destroy her. I was absolutely thrilled (to tears...yes, I cried a little) to find my book was being featured in the Fall 2023 edition of Clean Fiction Magazine.
READING: Elizabeth Goddard's upcoming October release just arrived in the mail a couple of days ago! This second book in her "Missing in Alaska" series promises to be an exciting and suspenseful read, and I am eager to dive in; I'll be celebrating its release Tuesday, October 17, as a launch team member. Goddard shows her appreciation for her team by sending little book-themed merch, which is always a thrill. For the first book, it was a scented candle, and this one is this cute 'adventure awaits' keychain! (photo above)
Another recent book mail were these beautiful art prints and chibi stickers and bookmark from Hanna Sandvig, my choice of giveaway goodies I won from a Facebook post contest. If you are in the mood for cozy-vibe and sweet and clean magical fairy tale retellings, check out "The Rose Gate" and "The Glass Gate" - next up is her Snow White retelling in "The Frost Gate"!
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