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[heartofnovel]

“omg you’re so creative. how do you get your ideas” i hallucinate a single scene in the taco bell drive thru and then spend 13 months trying to write it

[heartofnovel]

I'M BACK

Sorry I disappeared lol, work was A Lot.

I reached 175k words on my story :D :D :D

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 10 - Resolve:

“No, he–” Valleus sighed heavily. “I didn’t want to say anything, but as it seems Your Highness really wants to know… He was speaking quite rudely about you.” 

“Me?” Aushen asked in bewilderment. “What about?” 

Valleus looked away. “About your being an omega…” he replied quietly. 

That was enough information for Aushen. Though he was very new to being one himself, he was quite familiar with the ways omegas were occasionally perceived. “Ah,” he replied dryly, cheeks reddening. 

“I didn’t really say anything to him, I just interrupted his conversation, and he left in a hurry. Though it may have had something to do with my pheromones,” Valleus added, mumbling. 

Aushen turned his eyes back to Valleus, who still shyly looked away. ‘By the spirits… I really am in love with him.’ 

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 10 - Resolve:

The candlelight illuminated Valleus’ pensive features as he sat expectantly. Aushen had risen to pour himself and Valleus a glass of water. Valleus accepted gratefully, murmuring something about how the crown prince shouldn’t be doing that for a knight.

Aushen shook his head with a small smile. “We know each other well enough not to worry about things like that between us, right?” he asked. 

Valleus leaned back into his chair, feeling his body relax for the first time since he woke from his nap earlier in the day. “I suppose,” he replied briefly. He then turned his head to fix his gaze on Aushen as he sat in the chair next to him. “What did you want to talk about, Your Highness?” 

Aushen felt himself ‘gulp’ as he looked at Valleus. In spite of everything he’d seen, his feelings for Valleus caused his heart to thump in his chest at the sight of the knight’s handsome features lit by the soft glow of the candles behind them, and the warm fireplace a little further back.

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 10 - Resolve:

‘I hurt him… my best friend… the closest thing I have to a brother… 

I guess he was right to fear me.’ 

Wordlessly, the four went back around the corner to the door they’d come from. Upon reaching the castle, Valleus stood upright, no longer supported by Aushen. He folded the wings back into his back. Along the way, Valleus stopped to get a new tunic. His room was next door to Coriund’s. He returned clutching his best coat in his hands. Reaching out gingerly, he offered it to Coriund. 

After a few moments, Coriund sighed, taking the jacket and putting it in his room. No words were exchanged. 

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 9 - Overwhelming:

“I’m– I’m so sorry…” Valleus sobbed, clutching Aushen like a lifeline. “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” 

“Shhh,” Aushen soothed him gently. “It’s okay. You didn’t mean to. I know.” Since the night before, when he’d first seen Valleus’ draconic form, he’d had a suspicion that this side of him lay restlessly dormant beneath the surface. He wasn’t sure what had triggered it to stir up, but he had guessed that it would happen, and assumed that this wouldn’t be the last time. 

In spite of his better judgment, Aushen had taken his chances that he’d be able to calm this creature within Valleus. He didn’t know if he’d be able to do it again, and he wasn’t sure why it had worked this time. Nevertheless, he felt responsible. After all, if Valleus hadn’t been there to save him, he never would’ve ended up like this. 

The crisp air was silent besides Valleus’ sobs. He kept whimpering his apologies into Aushen’s shoulder as he held him close. Aushen rubbed his back gently. 

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 9 - Overwhelming:

Valleus rushed outside, the cool night air nearly causing his sweat to steam off his skin. He tried to slow his breaths. ‘Damn it… damn it! What the hell is happening to me?!’ 

Dizziness struck him hard. The vertigo threatened to throw him to the ground or drag up his dinner. He could feel the scales on his left hand itching, almost burning. In spite of his best attempts, he could feel the wings tucked into his back practically writhe as they tore through his tunic. Other spots around his body began prickling with the same hot itch in his left hand, and Valleus was dismayed to see scales wriggle out from under his skin wherever the heat touched. 

“I hate this feeling, again– Again?! Even here, even now?!”

Valleus stopped, fear gripping his heart. ‘That thought… it wasn’t mine, right?’

“No, no… no,” Valleus murmured aloud, stumbling further from the castle towards a lone tree a stone’s throw away. “I’m still human. I’m still me.” His voice quivered. “I’m still me!” An unsettling growl could be heard under his usual tone. He paled, even as the heat flushed his scale-flecked face. 

“I’m still fucking human!” he roared, punching the tree. 

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 7 - Another Voice:

“I’ve heard she’s awfully pretty, y’know,” he said, poking his friend’s elbow from across the table. “And she’s an alpha, so you don’t need to worry about–” Coriund’s eyebrows twitched as he caught himself. 

Valleus shook his head softly. “It’s fine, Carmine knows.” 

Coriund sighed. “Well, anyways, what I’m trying to say is, she’s a real catch.” 

Valleus cocked his eyebrow in response. “I think you’re forgetting something.” He held up his left hand still thick with black scales. “How many noblewomen, or even women in general, are going to want me in this state?” 

Though his tablemates nodded in understanding, they shared the silent thought of: ‘I’m sure you’d be surprised.’

“Besides, it’s like I always say: I have no time for love. I’m married to the knighthood.” Valleus, eyes on his food, didn’t notice both Coriund and Carmine mouth the last five words as he said them. 

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 7 - Another Voice:

I was violence, I was greed, I was whatsoever suited me. I can’t remember why, or how, but those words are certainly etched into what remains of my soul. 

I look now out of someone else’s eyes, yet they still feel like my own. My body feels very different, but I have no doubt that it’s mine. The times from Before are hazy– perhaps this is who and how I’ve been this whole time. But something is new. 

To start, this body of mine is young– so very young. Had I ever been so new and young before? Even the glimpses I have of Before feel ancient and tired. I’m young, and strong. I’m also not alone. 

The song of bloodlust was my morning call, but in spite of that glorious chance to destroy, my body opted to protect. The young one that had been in my arms resonated with me deeply. I don’t know who he is, but even now, I’m sure my instinct to protect him would outweigh my desire to taste blood. What terrifying power humanity has to taint what we are.

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 6 - Conflicting Emotions:

Carmine’s eyes shifted to the side before returning to meet Valleus’ gaze. “I heard something happened while you were gone.” 

Valleus resisted the urge to sigh. He was quickly tiring of this topic. “Yes, I ended up receiving some odd characteristics as the result of interrupting the fiends’ ritual.” He almost felt like he was talking about something mundane, like what he’d had for supper the night before. In truth, the topic was anything but. However, Valleus’ patience was running thin, and he was tired of needing to provide answers even he didn’t have to the incessant questioning, regardless of whether it was well-meaning. 

Though Carmine hadn’t been by Valleus’ side as long as Coriund had, he could easily detect the irritation mounting in Valleus’ tone. “Are you okay?” he asked gently. 

‘That’s the most loaded question he could ask, really,’ Valleus thought to himself dryly. He opted to put on a brave face, smiling. “Yes, I’m perfectly fine,” he lied. He hoped that if he said it enough times, even if it weren’t true, he could trick himself into believing it a little longer. ‘Catching the criminals comes first. That is the priority. That will provide the answers I seek.’ As he told himself this, Valleus could feel the tightness in his chest calm slightly. 

[heartofnovel]

The thing is, when people interact with me about my stories, it gives me the drive to work on them. Even if it’s just a sentence, or a bit of editing. It’s putting enough fuel in the tank to get to the next gas station, so to speak.

[heartofnovel]

Writing advice from my uni teachers:

If your dialog feels flat, rewrite the scene pretending the characters cannot at any cost say exactly what they mean. No one says “I’m mad” but they can say it in 100 other ways.

Wrote a chapter but you dislike it? Rewrite it again from memory. That way you’re only remembering the main parts and can fill in extra details. My teacher who was a playwright literally writes every single script twice because of this.

Don’t overuse metaphors, or they lose their potency. Limit yourself.

Before you write your novel, write a page of anything from your characters POV so you can get their voice right. Do this for every main character introduced.

[heartofnovel]

gonna hop on the bandwagon

[heartofnovel]

I am not writing, and I am not not writing... but yet a secret more sinister third thing...

[heartofnovel]

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Excerpt from 'Heart Of', Chapter 6 - Conflicting Emotions:

“You’ve, um…”

“Changed?” Valleus finished. Coriund grimaced, looking away. Valleus swallowed dryly, the storm of emotions he’d been attempting to quell beginning to rise to the surface. “I’m still me, you know.” 

“I don’t doubt that,” Coriund replied, still not meeting Valleus’ eyes. “It’s just–” 

“Scary? Or maybe disgusting?” Valleus’ voice shook slightly as he spoke, and Coriund angrily made eye contact once more. 

“That’s not what I mean,” he snapped. Both men sat rigid, irritated with the other. 

“Then what?” Valleus challenged. “You haven’t done a very good job of hiding the fact that you’re frightened of me. I’ve been the same person last night, this morning when we talked before you found out, and after– but you’ve been treating me differently since you saw, and I don’t like it.” Coriund narrowed his eyes as Valleus continued. “I didn’t ask for this to happen to me, you know.” 

[heartofnovel]

Hunched over my laptop like a gargoyle, "Gunna make these men do unspeakable things to eachother..."

[heartofnovel]

Find the Word Tag

Thank you @friendlyshaped, I've always wanted to do one of these :D

My words are: out, bright, grow, forever

Your words are: feeling, grip, mess, brush

Tagging: @the-down-upside-finch, @calicohyde, @dyrewrites, and @kaylinalexanderbooks, plus an Open Tag for whoever wants to participate :D

--

Out:

A soft nod from his father indicated he should rise from his kneeling position. “Aushen, my son,” the king began. “As you well know, marriage is of vital importance for your position as crown prince.” 

Aushen gulped quietly. He knew this time was coming- despite just being nineteen, some would already consider him as being late to get engaged. 

The king continued. “I was truly blessed in my marital union- I was able to marry for both love and my position.” He grasped the queen’s hand as he spoke. “I wish the same for you, if possible.” Pausing, he reached his hand out to the side and was handed dozens of envelopes. “I have here many requests from those who wish to join their households with ours via marriage. I’d like for you to look through these letters and perhaps exchange some correspondence to get to know some of these fine young ladies.”

--

Bright:

After collecting himself and finishing the herb ice he’d been given, Aushen scooted out of the low cave into the bright mountainside. Once he adjusted to the light, he was able to take in the view. The cave they’d been in was tucked into the side of a huge mountain. Luckily, the top rounded rather gently, allowing plenty of space to walk without fear of falling. The vast mountain range went as far as Aushen could see. “Where exactly are we?” he asked Valleus, nervousness peppering his tone. 

--

Grow:

Odessa had immediately fallen asleep once she entered the carriage, but Aushen now felt very awake. He was about to see more of his kingdom than he ever had before, and even explore a new culture and nation as well. He tried to set aside his anxiety of marriage talks and opted to simply embrace this as a journey for cultural understanding. 

‘That’s right. A chance to learn and grow. A chance to become a better crown prince.’

--

Forever:

Valleus nodded, holding up his still-scaled hand. His fingers no longer sported claws, though. “I think it’s because of how deep the injury was. Well, that, or perhaps it’s stuck this way forever because it’s the hand that broke the Dragon’s Heart? But at least I figured out how to put the claws away.”

--

Thanks again for the tag Scottie! :)