Journey with me through a magical world (Chapter 25 | Book 3)

The 26th excerpt (including Prologue) from "Do You Believe in Miracles?"

Nov 22, 2024

Each Friday, I will send you the opening paragraphs from a chapter of Do You Believe in Miracles? (book 3). I will also break down the excerpt with comments about context, themes, and conflict. Finally, I will include writing tips. Previously, I did the same for Do You Believe in Magic? (book 1) and Do You Believe in Monsters? (book 2).

Though my series is appropriate for ages 13 and older, I’m finding that readers younger than 13 — and many who are a lot older than 13 — are enjoying it.

Here is a brief synopsis of the series: When Charlie Magus enters a fantastical world hidden deep in the forest, his life is turned upside down. The timid 13-year-old transforms into a powerful wizard wielding formidable powers.

Below are the opening paragraphs of Chapter 25 of book 3. My author’s breakdown follows this short segment.

Context: Deep in the catacombs of Kar Pathu, the chase is on.

CHAPTER 25 — THE INSCRIPTIONS
Sahoota could not believe it.
He watched Kati rush toward William even after Charlie’s dad told them not to. It was so like his sister to follow her own path.
“Kati, you must stay with Zola and us!” Sahoota shouted. “Our parents said they will appear one last time. If you are not with us, you will never see them again.”
Kati stopped and glared at Sahoota in her typically defiant fashion. “Lord Charlie and William need my help! It should not be just the two of them against the Niddukk. Zola already has enough protection. She does not need me.”
“She’s right,” Zola said. “Kate should be able to go where she chooses.”
Kati took a few more steps, then stopped. “It is probably too late, anyway. And you are right, Sahoota. I cannot give up the opportunity to see Garu and Gara one last time, even if it is only to say a final goodbye.”
End of excerpt.

Themes: Race against time; delving deep; fight for survival.

Between the lines: I’m nearing the end of “Journey with me through a magical world.” Books 1 and 2 are complete and book 3 has only three chapters remaining after this one. Today’s excerpt from Book 3 is the 72nd weekly episode. I’m still debating about what I’m going to do next on Substack. Updates to come.

Today’s excerpt is a good deal shorter than most of the others. I’m reaching the point where I’m running a real risk of publishing spoilers, so I’m trying to be careful.

Which brings me to today’s “between the lines.” Most readers despise spoilers. Finding out what happens in advance ruins the book (or movie or even football game) for them.

Why is that? Most readers have favorite books they have read multiple times over the years, so clearly they’re continuing to enjoy the book even though they know how it ends.

But the first time they read it remains the best time.

Here’s my theory: The first time you read a book is like an allegory of real life. None of us truly knows what’s going to happen until we actually live it. Free will is what makes life so special and bittersweet. The same goes for reading a book from page 1 until the end.

Writing tips: Even the most ardent of outliners has to leave some room for flexibility. I said above that the first time you read a book is like an allegory of life. Well, your characters are allegories of real-life people. You hear writers say all the time that their characters assume their own personalities and start to behave in ways that are independent to the point of being rebellious.

Does this really happen or is it just the writer’s imagination? I’ll tell you right now that it 100 percent does happen! And even better, it is an incredibly cool phenomenon.

Past episodes of Book 3 (Do You Believe in Miracles?)

Past episodes of Book 2 (Do You Believe in Monsters?)

Past episodes of Book 1 (Do You Believe in Magic?)

Promotional notes

Do You Believe in Magic?, book 1 of my teen fantasy adventure trilogy Dark Circles, is one of five finalists in the Fantasy and Young Adult categories of the 21st Annual "Best Book" Awards, one of the world’s largest and most-established international book award programs for mainstream, indie, and self-published titles. I am the only self-published finalist in either of my categories.

Dark Circles is appropriate for ages 13 and older, but readers as young as 10 and as old as 80 have told me they loved it — sort of like the Harry Potter series or C.S. Lewis’ Chronicles of Narnia. This heartfelt coming of age saga has won thirteen international awards.

DARK CIRCLES (13 and older)
Book 1: Do You Believe in Magic?
Book 2: Do You Believe in Monsters?
Book 3: Do You Believe in Miracles?

All told, 27,000+ copies of books 1-3 of Dark Circles have been purchased, with an additional 116,500+ pages read on Kindle Edition Normalized Pages (KENP).

Jim Melvin's Realms of Fantasy

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