Journey with me through a magical world (Epilogue)
The final excerpt from my teen fantasy adventure 'Do You Believe in Magic?'
Every Friday, I’ve been sending you the opening paragraphs from a chapter of my novel Do You Believe in Magic?. Then I’ve broken down the excerpt with comments about context, themes, and conflict. Finally, I’ve included writing tips.
Last week, I published a segment from Chapter 17. Today, I’ll finish this series with the Epilogue.
Note to readers: I plan on taking a one-week break before continuing this process with book 2 titled Do You Believe in Monsters?.
Do You Believe in Magic? is book 1 of a teen fantasy adventure series titled Dark Circles. Though it is appropriate for ages 13 and older, I’m finding that readers younger than 13 are enjoying it too. But I believe adults will like this exciting adventure as much as teens.
Here is a brief synopsis: A grieving boy moves to his grandparents' farm in Upstate South Carolina where he rediscovers his passion for life in a magical world hidden deep in the forest.
Below are the opening paragraphs of the Epilogue. My author’s breakdown follows this short segment.
Context: In Chapter 17, Charlie and the gang return to Lowery. In the Epilogue, Lord Gar contemplates the future of his people.
EPILOGUE
Lord Gar held up a gauntleted fist.
Near the pinnacle of the tallest spire in Shima-Shi was a balcony barely large enough to contain a single person. The platform hung four hundred feet above the ground—and considering it had no railing, it was not for the faint of heart.
Lord Gar, leader of the Yodhin warriors and considered by many to be king of Pacchann, stood alone on the balcony a few inches from its precarious edge. His expression was grim. Some might have thought he was there to cast himself into the abyss.
“Come back inside. You know how it frightens me.” To Gar, the voice sounded like silk.
“I will Kate. In a minute.”
“What good does it do for you to stand out there? You’re torturing yourself.”
Gar grimaced.
“Can you see it?” he said. “There is smoke in the distance, coming from the northern mountains. Even from here, I can taste the foulness of it. The Niddukk has opened another portal. More of his monsters are entering Pacchann. These he will use to assault Shima-Shi. We are next, Kate.”
“I know this as well.” There was a pause, then: “Please, come in. It scares me to see you so vulnerable. A gust of wind could take you from me forever. I can’t lose you now. Not after all that has happened.”
“Yet lose me, you will. I must leave while you are still weak.”
“Everyone in Pacchann knows the reason for your departure, my lord. We must give you an opportunity to sleep. If you do not, you will die. Or go mad. Either way, we would lose you.”
True enough.
End of excerpt.
Themes: Pondering the inevitable. Fear of the future. Destiny.
Between the lines: Is a fear of heights considered a weakness? Is not fearing heights considered a strength? In literature, tall towers or harrowing cliffs often symbolize our fear of death. You can tell a lot about a character’s emotional makeup by how he or she handles heights.
Writing tips: Here is some good news for self-published authors. There is hope! 😀 But you need to do your homework. There are about a dozen legitimate online gurus out there who will teach you all the various do’s and don’ts of self-publishing virtually for free. Personally, I recommend David Gaughran, but there are others. Plan on spending 15-20 hours spread over weeks or even months learning as much as you can about self-publishing. Believe me, it will pay off in more ways than one. And someone like Gaughran makes the learning experience a lot of fun.
Note: I have no financial or personal connection to Gaughran. He wouldn’t know me from Adam.
Weeklong free promotion ends tonight!
My free promotion of Do You Believe in Magic? began this past Monday morning and ends tonight. Thus far, it has been a big success, IMO. More than 6,500 books were downloaded as of midnight Thursday. At one point, Do You Believe in Magic? was ranked in the top 20 among all free books available on Amazon. And it has maintained the No. 1 ranking in its genre all week.
Book 2 titled Do You Believe in Monsters? is also selling well. It can still be downloaded for 99 cents until midnight.
After the promotion ends, book 1 will return to $2.99 and book 2 to $3.99.
The paperback versions, which are currently selling for $8.99 and $9.99, respectively, will also go up in price starting Nov. 4.
The series is appropriate for readers 13 and older, but adults are enjoying it as much as young teens. Huge thanks to everyone who has read book 1 thus far!
DARK CIRCLES (teen fantasy adventure series)
Book 1: Do You Believe in Magic? (debuted May 25)
Book 2: Do You Believe in Monsters? (debuted Oct. 30)
Book 3: Do You Believe in Miracles? (coming February 2024)
Past episodes of Book 1 (Do You Believe in Magic?)
Prologue | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6 | Chapter 7 | Chapter 8 | Chapter 9 | Chapter 10 | Chapter 11 | Chapter 12 | Chapter 13 | Chapter 14 | Chapter 15 | Chapter 16 | Chapter 17