fey-touched-trilogy

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Tagging The Taglist/s <3

@wip-nook @faelanvance @noirepersonal @queen-kass-the-writer @athenswrites @thelaughingstag

@authorminamoroz @bardic-tales @outpost51 @talesfromaurea @jezifster2 @ettawritesnstudies

Time for an update

You might have already seen me mention I'm rewriting my first draft to make some core changes, but its also giving me a change to fix some parts where i'd left notes for myself.

Like this one...

"I know it seems that way, but—" "Seems?" Lizzy growled, because no matter how much she felt drawn to Andric, he could still get under her skin faster than anyone else she'd ever met. "Stop me when I get something wrong. We've got a decade's worth of journals to hunt through, and for some reason we're starting with the oldest information first. We've gone to eight clans that were mentioned in the first journal, no matter how briefly. We've asked every clan if they've heard or seen or have any leads on Connorbar Moore, no matter how small they were. That last town only had thirty vampires, Andric!"

Googledocs Edit Note; "Make this sound more natural and less like an infodump"

........ Gee, Thanks past me.

But I'm working on it. I'm making progress. And, I feel like each piece I rework is looking, and sounding, and reading... better.

If it wasn't, I think I'd have pulled my hair out by now lol.

Same moment, Draft Two;

"I know it seems that way, but—" "Seems?" Lizzy growled, because no matter how drawn she felt to Andric, he could still get under her skin faster than anyone else she'd ever met. "There's a decades worth of journals for Booker to sift through, why are we starting with the oldest ones first? And why are we going to every single clan mentioned? The last town only had thirty vampires, Andric!" "Working through the information we have methodically is standard hunting practice—" "But it's not getting us anywhere!" As she spoke, Andric sat forward, elbows braced on his knees as his hands slipped round to gently massage the back of his neck, and she tried to calm herself so she wasn't snapping his head off, but the frustration thrumming through her and leaking out into her voice couldn't be hidden. "We've been told wonderful stories, and legends about his skill at tracking and hunting kavians. Most of which make him sound like something out of ancient myth but, as far as I can see, we don't have a single viable lead to actually find the man. We're no closer to a solution than we were when we started!" When she fell silent, the sound of her voice still hanging painfully loud in the quiet room, Andric sighed and dropped his hands to hang loosely between his knees.

And is this increasing my wordcount? Yes. But we're not talking about that. \my editing budget is already screaming at me...

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Belated OCKiss24; #5

Prompt: "Darkness"

[Redacted] & Madeline Hail

“I still remember the look on your face, Lit through the darkness, at 1:58. The words that you whispered, for just us to know, You told me you loved me, so why did you go?” — Last Kiss by Taylor Swift

The warm press of her lips against the corner of my mouth almost rose me from sleep.

My eyes cracked open to stare up at Maddy, her cascade of long blonde hair a waterfall around us, casting her features into shadow. The fluttering sound of her wings echoed around the room as she shifted on the bed, and I could feel a frown of question, of concern, fighting through my sleep-addled mind. A tender brush of her fingers smoothed it away before it could fully form.

“Falling in love with you would be the death of me...”

Such a soft whisper. Her voice so tender and raw that I wanted to pull her close, cradle her soul against mine, and promise her it wouldn’t. That I’d guard her heart, and her love, more fiercely than all the precious pearls in the world.

But sleep had its claws in me still, and her long, delicate fingers slid through my hair, tangled with my curls, and tugged me back into slumber.

There had been something in her voice. In her words. It stole my dreams and sent me spinning into nightmares.

And when I finally managed to fight my way free, and back to the waking world, all my darkest fears were realised.

Gone. Missing. Departed in the death of night.

She had abandoned me for fear that love would destroy her. Without giving me a moment to answer, to respond, to tell her that she owned not just my heart but my soul.

And while the portals between realms remained closed, and the vampire councils argued semantics with the Court of the Fey, my hopes of ever finding her dwindled with every passing day.

Hey there!

Do you like my writing? Feel like supporting me so I can write some more? Check out my debut fantasy novel ‘Changeling’.

It’s available in Ebook at all your favourite online retailers, and in Paperback, and Hardcover from Amazon.

Changeling’s Ebook is 50% off between March 16th-22nd 2024, so grab your copy today!

Would you like to check out some more of my writing for free?

You can grab the prequel novella to Changeling, “Whatever Happened To Madeline Hail?” by signing up for my newsletter.

I also send out Flash Fiction pieces exclusive to my newsletter subscribers, and you’ll be the first to hear about sale prices, cover reveals and blurbs for all my future book releases.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Belated OCKiss24; #3

Prompt: "Sunrise"

Andric Roche & Lizzy Hail

“Untouchable, burning brighter than the sun, And when you’re close, I feel like coming undone...” — Untouchable by Taylor Swift

Months ago, Andric wouldn’t have known where to look for her. When the discussions became too heated, and Lizzy needed space to breathe and quiet to think, she would have slipped out the door and Andric would have needed to rely on Booker’s connection to her mind to find her, and make sure she was safe.

Now, he knew he simply had to seek out the nearest source of running water.

Her attention stayed fixed out towards the horizon as she watched the ebb and flow of the ocean, but she’d sensed his approach because she didn’t so much as flinch when Andric’s arms curled around her waist.

She settled against his chest, her head resting against his shoulder, and he bent and curved around her smaller frame until he could study the profile of her face, bathed into the warm glow of the sun as it crept its way into the sky, marking the dawn of a new day.

The urge to kiss her was ever present, but as her electric blue eyes began to sparkle with sunlight and the colours of the dawn began to chase themselves across her face, the urge became overwhelming.

He traced peach across her cheek with a brush of his lips. A streak of gold across her brow, shifting to orange as he kissed her temple. Burnished bronze lived in the shadow beneath her jaw, and Lizzy sighed. Tilting her head until he could chase the colours along the column of her throat.

And she relaxed in his arms. The tension leaking from her frame in response to the tender touch of his lips against her skin. It was reassurance in the sunlit silence, and grateful trust in the brush of her hand against his own where they sat clasped over her stomach.

Slowly, peace was found in the many wordless reminders that she was loved.

Hey there!

Do you like my writing? Feel like supporting me so I can write some more? Check out my debut fantasy novel ‘Changeling’.

It’s available in Ebook at all your favourite online retailers, and in Paperback, and Hardcover from Amazon.

Changeling’s Ebook is 50% off between March 16th-22nd 2024, so grab your copy today!

Would you like to check out some more of my writing for free?

You can grab the prequel novella to Changeling, “Whatever Happened To Madeline Hail?” by signing up for my newsletter.

I also send out Flash Fiction pieces exclusive to my newsletter subscribers, and you’ll be the first to hear about sale prices, cover reveals and blurbs for all my future book releases.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Belated OCKiss24; #1

Prompt: "Almost"

Booker Reed & Cara Evelyn

“And I just wanna tell you. It takes everything in me not to call [for] you. And I wish I could run to you, and I hope you know that everytime I don’t I almost do.” — Almost Do by Taylor Swift

Lila was avoiding him.

Booker had expected it because they’d fought, and despite her unruly temper, there was little Lila hated more than fighting with him.

But that left Booker adrift in a school of vampires, with nothing to ground him, and he found himself drawing closer and closer to the outcast girl they’d encountered their first night at the school. Cara. Lizzy’s roomate.

It had started as a way to check on Lizzy. The girl saw his friend daily, but it was more than that now. He liked her. He liked the way her honey eyes sparkled when he made her laugh. He liked the way her shoulder brushed his as they walked the halls. He more than liked the thought of running his fingers through the thick layers of her hair.

And the worst part was the soft rose-pink blush that made her cheeks glow and pushed Cara to duck her head when their eyes locked for a second too long, because it made him want to pull her into a hug, and kiss the rise of her cheekbone.

This was more than the desire to take her to bed. Or tug her into an alcove and bring them both pleasure. It was feeling, and emotion, and Booker had felt the pain of a broken heart before.

The smart move was to retreat now, before he no longer had a choice... but then she’d laugh, and he’d almost kiss the sound from her lips. She’d tuck a wisp of hair that had escaped her braid behind her ear, and he’d almost lean forward to kiss the soft curve of her neck. She’d smack at his shoulder in playful disapproval of a joke that was making her eyes glow with mirth, and he’d almost catch her hand and bring the palm to his lips.

Almost. But in the meantime, he’d catch her hand and lace their fingers together instead. Delight in the soft, rose-pink blush that spread across her cheeks, and wonder how many ‘almosts’ he’d be able to get away with.

Hey there!

Do you like my writing? Feel like supporting me so I can write some more? Check out my debut fantasy novel ‘Changeling’.

It’s available in Ebook at all your favourite online retailers, and in Paperback, and Hardcover from Amazon.

Changeling’s Ebook is 50% off between March 16th-22nd 2024, so grab your copy today!

Would you like to check out some more of my writing for free?

You can grab the prequel novella to Changeling, “Whatever Happened To Madeline Hail?” by signing up for my newsletter.

I also send out Flash Fiction pieces exclusive to my newsletter subscribers, and you’ll be the first to hear about sale prices, cover reveals and blurbs for all my future book releases.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Tagging the Taglist <3

@faelanvance @noirepersonal @queen-kass-the-writer @athenswrites @thelaughingstag @minamoroz @bardic-tales @outpost51 @talesfromaurea @jezifster @ettawritesnstudies

writing tip #3589:

when was the last time your protagonist had a good yell

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Nanowrimo 2023 Wrap Up...

So, I didn't make my 75k or break any personal records, but I'm really not mad about that. I don't know why I thought November was the nano event to try that in, November nano's are almost always a disaster for me. In fact, this is only the second time I've ever hit 50k in November.

But hit it, I did! Final count at 1-minute-to-midnight on November 30th was 51,841 words, which has brought my Darkling Manuscript up to 92,696. That's almost doubled the words I've written throughout the rest of 2023 which is incredible, and I'm so happy.

It also means that it looks like I'm still on track to complete the manuscript by January, which was really my main goal. All in all, I'd call this Nanowrimo a resounding success.

If you're interested in some of my other statistics, I've got some more numbers beneath the cut...

Number of Sprints in November: 132 Sprints Time Spent Writing in November: 43 hours, 45 minutes Estimated Remaining: 20-25k words or 7-10 Chapters.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog to Archive

Happy Storyteller Saturday!

If your story were a video game, who would make the best boss battle?

Heya hun, thank you for the ask <3 I hope your Saturday went well ^_^

But... Oh no, if I answer this honestly I'd going to end up being a huge spoiler rofl

I'm going to have to give the second best boss battle, and that would be the Fey Queen of Arbaon, specifically in the realm of Arbaon.

The blood of Bridget Elestov was what formed the whole realm of Arbaon when the fey fled the mortal realm, so within Arbaon all of her descendants are linked intrinsically with the world around them.

There are no natural seasons in Arbaon, but when the Queen decides it's time for spring, the flowers begin to bloom. I feel like that would give her a definitive edge in a boss battle!

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog to Archive

Happy Storyteller Saturday!

What's your favorite bit of worldbuilding you've crafted?

~ @world-of-fire-and-flight

Hello hun! ^_^ Thank you for the ask, is your weekend going well? I hope so <3

My favourite piece of worldbuilding that I've crafted. I'm going to answer for the Fey Touched trilogy, but it's definitely how the Fey Realm of Arbaon was formed.

I figured out the details for myself and then I went back into a fresh document and wrote down the "story" as it would have been taught to fey children in schools, so that I knew exactly what Lizzy and Booker knew about the formation of Arbaon.

But essentially, Bridget Elestov had the ability to travel via trees and connective rooot systems. When the fey were being hunted to near-extinction by the kavians, she pitched a desperate plan to the Fey leaders of the time and out of sheer desperation they agreed to try.

With all the fey linked telepathically to Bridget, and bolstering her powers, she attempted to portal them through trees to a location that only existed within her mind.

It worked, and they arrived somewhere with nothing but white cloud/fog/mist in every direction... but the strain caused her to bleed from nose and eyes and, the legend goes, that as her blood fell and connected with the mists, the memory of the mortal realm was pulled from her and manifested into a physical reality.

Bridget was made the first Fey Queen as thanks for saving their people, and an Elestov still rules as the Fey Queen now. Not least because the Elestov bloodline is intrinsically linked to the realm of Arbaon.

Their will shapes the world, whether it's the moon phase, the changing of the seasons, the weather, or the growth of land, plants and mountain ranges.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Gods, this song has gotten me through three chapters so far...

I am the whisper of a memory, I am the fear you might have lost your mind, I am the face you don't remember, but you have seen a thousand times. The ghost who is still alive.

-- The Ghost Who Is Still Alive by Beth Crowley

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog for Archive

Happy Blorbo Blursday!

Your characters are in a cafe/bakery for snacks. What is each one of them buying? 🥐🥞🥪☕

--@oh-no-another-idea

Ooo! Interesting question! Thanks for the ask <3

Answering for the Darkling Cast...

Lizzy Hail - Pain Au Chocolat

Lizzy doesn't have a huge sweet tooth. A little bit of indulgence now and then, but overall she's not one for sweets. If she was buying something from a bakery she'd lean towards the more savory options like the actual bread, but if it was specificlally for a snack she might pick up a pain au chocolat.

Booker Reed - Bakewell Tart

There's a nice balance to a bakewell tart that Booker really enjoys. The sweet jam, the almost savory edge of the almond base, the bite of the cherry. He likes the layers and textures, and the way they work together.

Andric Roche - Carrot Cake

Cheese cakes are usually found in stores not bakeries (at least here in the UK), otherwise that what would have been Andric's 1st choice, but nothing beats cream cheese frosting as a second option for Andric, and that rarely comes on anything other than a Carrot Cake. It helps that he also enjoys how moist carrot cakes tend to be.

Edward - Cinnamon Bun!

Not just because he's quite close/adjacent to the "Cinnamon Roll" trope, but also because he loves the sweet/savory mix of a well iced cinnamon bun.

Connorbar Moore - Scottish Shortbread

Connor has simple tastes. Flour, Butter, and Sugar, baked to perfection. Nothing beats a crumbly piece of shortbread for this vampire.

Olwen Pryce - Millionaires Shortbread

Olwen doesn't indulge herself often, but if she's walking past a bakery and catches sight of some Millionaires Shortbread, it's almost an impulse to stop and buy one. It may bring back memories of her mother baking in the kitchen. It might be a little bit off bittersweet nostalgia. It might just be the caramel-chocolate combo.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Darkling Sneak Peek

Darkling sneak peek beneath the cut...

Fey Touched Trilogy Taglist:

@faelanvance @noirepersonal @queen-kass-the-writer @athenswrites @thelaughingstag @minamoroz @bardic-tales @outpost51 @talesfromaurea @ettawritesnstudies

"You're kidding?" Lizzy asked, finally turning to face him again, frowning at him as he grimaced. "Lizzy—" "Andric," she cut him off, "this is the eighth vampire clan we've visited in the last six weeks, and we have nothing to show for it." "I know it seems that way, but—" "Seems?" Lizzy growled, because no matter how much she felt drawn to Andric, he could still get under her skin faster than anyone else she'd ever met.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblogged to the Archive...

Hello lovely Taglist people <3

I've just reblogged all the Darkling/Fey Touched related posts from October into the Sideblog/Archive.

Didn't want to tag you all a billion times, so this here is just a single tagged post to tell you that the most recent 36-posts on this blog are from October's "Welcome to Writeblr" event, and the Halloween "Trick or Treat" event.

If you missed any of these posts, snippets, sneak peeks, and worldbuilding shares on my main account, they're now archived here for easy reading access.

Tagging the Taglists...

@ettawritesnstudies @jezifster @jezwrites @faelanvance @noirepersonal @queen-kass-the-writer @athenswrites @thelaughingstag @minamoroz @bardic-tales @outpost51 @talesfromaurea @world-of-fire-and-flight-admin

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog to Archive...

Hi detective

Your blorbos have to go to the grocery store. How does it go?

I know it's taken me a while to respond, but honestly it's because this one made me crack up laughing every time I heard it and I just wanted to keep it in my inbox for a while longer :D

Lizzy Hail

Lizzy going to the grocery store would be an absolute disaster. Not only because it would be completely different to what she's used to in Arbaon, but also because she'd get distracted super fast.

Even if she had a list, the first time something on the list was out of stock, or had been moved shelves, she's start improvising, adding "replacement" things to the trolley, and walking out with twice what she needed.

Andric Roche

Andric's the kind of guy who knows where everything is in the store. He has a list, but it's written in order of where he needs to go in the store first, second, third, without having to backtrack on himself.

And if the thing he wants isn't in stock he won't buy something different, will just come back in a few days to try again.

Items being moved around the store irritates him and depending on how badly the items is needed, he may just not buy it on principle.

Stella Korazon

Stella's a thief, but she's learnt to be wary. She'd probably buy the basics, but then fill her pockets with expensive treats like chocolate, a bottle of wine, or someone's wallet.

She wouldn't go with a list, Stella has a great memory for "jobs" and that's what she'd consider this. The basic necessitiies purchased would merely be the smokecreen for the other things she's pocketing.

Reilly Mosswolf

An utter menace. He wouldn't buy a god damn thing. He'd just pick up whatever he needed, walk out of the store and if/when anyone tried to stop him he'd already have half a dozen escape routes arranged.

And he'd be cackling with laughter the entire time.

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog for Archive...

Trick or Treat? 👻

(Event Post)

Trick 👽

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog to Archive...

Trick or Treat? 🦇

(Event Post)

AHHHHH THANKS FOR THE ASK🥰💜😆

I'm so tempted to choose trick solely because I haven't been around for a while and need Darkling updates😅

*shaking a magic 8 ball because I can't decide*

Trick👻 please!

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog to Archive...

Trick or Treat? 👻

(Event Post)

Trick! 🎃

[fey-touched-trilogy]

Reblog to Archive...

Trick or Treat? 🦇

(Event Post)

TRICK! Share a sentence you're particularly fond of!

Don't look under the readmore, it's spooky

jk look at him 🐛