Journey with me through a magical world (Chapter 20 | Book 2)
The 21st excerpt (including prologue) from "Do You Believe in Monsters?"
Every Friday, I’ll send you the opening paragraphs from a chapter of Do You Believe in Monsters?. Then I’ll break down the excerpt with comments about context, themes, and conflict. Finally, I’ll include writing tips.
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 April 21, 2024; preorder on April 14)
Though both books are 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 my series.
Here is a brief synopsis of book 2: 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 20 of book 2. My author’s breakdown follows this short segment.
Context: The sorceress Kati and the vampire Amanussa have an ugly encounter.
CHAPTER 20 | THE EVIL WITHIN
Kati gazed at the northern mountains.
It was her responsibility to be Lord Gar’s eyes. She had studied the battlefield and sent a warrior to report her findings. Another was supposed to report back. But no one had yet. For now, she was alone.
Kati sensed the Niddukk’s presence like heat from a blazing fire. He attempted to infiltrate her mind. She had succumbed to this once. She would not do so again.
Where was that warrior? Too much time had passed. Someone should have come by now.
She leaned against her ivory staff, which was nearly identical to the ones wielded by Azura, Sahoota, and Lord Charlie. Though she had chosen not to become a Yati monk, she still wielded considerable power. Sahoota called her a sorceress. Azura called her an anomaly. Lord Gar called her his love.
Kati placed her staff against the wall, turned away from the balcony, and walked to a table near the bed. Her flask of water was nearly empty. She drank what remained of it. Where was the warrior? They provided her water when she was thirsty and food when hungry. Now she was both and had neither.
She heard an unusual noise outside the balcony’s entrance.
She spun.
Amanussa stood there, choosing to appear as a young girl. With wings. And red eyes. And fangs.
Kati lunged for her staff. The demon-child went for it too. But the staff had a mind of its own, and it leaped into Kati’s palm. Amanussa halted and smiled. When she spoke, her child-like voice caused Kati to shiver.
“Where are your nursemaids, Kati?” Amanussa said. “You have been forsaken. This isn’t smart, considering how many evil beings lurk about these days.”
“You grow bold, Amanussa. You come here alone? In my stronghold?”
The demon-child cackled. “What safer place for me than on the balcony of the tallest spire in the city? I doubt anyone even witnessed my approach. It is just you and me. Sorceress versus sorceress. Who is the greater?”
The interior door to Kati’s chamber swung open. The warrior Lingika stepped inside, breathing heavily. Then she gasped when she saw the demon. Lingika’s sword was in her hand faster than the eye could follow.
“Mistress, flee!”
Kati chuckled woefully. “Warrior, it is you who should flee. I do not fear this demon.”
“I will not abandon you, mistress.”
There was a puff of putrid smoke, and the grown version of Amanussa stood in place of the girl. Her eyes were on fire.
“How touching,” the vampire queen said in her obnoxiously sultry voice. “A Yodhin warrior has come to your rescue. I am so terrified. I might have to scream and fly away. Or not.”
Lingika’s sword hand quivered, but the warrior held her ground.
“State your business,” Kati said. “My patience grows thin.”
End of excerpt.
Themes: Fight or flight, good versus evil, fear, courage.
Between the lines: There is a demon in my Death Wizard Chronicles series named Vedana. By any standard, Vedana is a terrible creature, wreaking havoc in countless unforgivable ways. But my readers loved Vedana because of her rascally sense of humor.
The same goes for Amanussa, who appears in the Dark Circles excerpt above. I find this easier to pull off with evil characters than with noble ones. Maybe it’s because a having good sense of humor requires a little spice. 😀
Writing tips: Writing the first draft of a novel is the most difficult part for me. But it’s also the most rewarding. When I’m immersed in the first draft, my attitude about life changes and I feel like I’m doing something special.
Fantasy is a liberating gift to readers and writers, providing an exhilarating escape to magical worlds.
So, authors should take joy in this process! And make sure you incorporate that joy into the story so that your readers can experience it along with you.
Past episodes of Book 2 (Do You Believe in Monsters?)
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 | Chapter 18 | Chapter 19
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 | Epilogue
Promotional notes
I have finished the final revision of book 3 titled Do You Believe in Miracles?. It is now in the hands of my awesome editor and beta readers. The book will go live on Sunday (April 21) with preorders starting April 14.
During the week of April 14, the ebook version of Do You Believe in Miracles? will be available via preorder for 99 cents only to my subscribers. I’ll remind you on the day the preorders become active. 😀
During the week of April 21, the ebook versions of book 1 (Do You Believe in Magic?) and book 2 (Do You Believe in Monsters?) will be on free promotion.
The ebook and paperback versions of books 1 and 2 can be purchased at this link.
All told, more than 8,400 copies of books 1 and 2 have been purchased, with an additional 43,000 pages read on Kindle Edition Normalized Pages (KENP). Like all self-published authors, I’m still hoping for more ratings and reviews.