#OtDG

[jjoneswriting]

My co-author @writtenriley and I are thrilled to present our self-published novella “Over the Dragon’s Gate,” a dark paranormal romance/urban fantasy. You’ve heard of manic pixie dream girl, now get ready for sad pond-monster dream boy!

Summary: Treya has everything he needs in his pond: food, shelter, and other fish to swim with. It’s painful to wonder if he had another life once, so he ignores the fragments of disturbing dreams that plague him.

But when a boy falls into his pond, Treya discovers he’s more than a fish. He can also become a boy, and now he has a friend: the irrepressible Eli. During secret meetings in the garden surrounding the pond, Treya and Eli forge a bond that even dark magic can’t break. But when Eli starts asking questions about who and what Treya is, the two of them discover that questions are dangerous, answers have a cost, and their fates depend on unraveling the mystery of Treya’s past.

Comps: It has "That Story Isn't the Story" vibes mixed with "Room."

Word count: 44k

Smashwords

Kindle

Kobo

Goodreads

Soundtrack

Content warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, death, gaslighting, memory loss, amnesia, mind manipulation, mind control, implied noncon (in the background, due to the mind control), crying (a lot of crying), vomit, underage drinking, implied/referenced drug use, car accidents, child neglect, child abuse, murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, magical imprisonment, trauma, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt (planned but not carried out), death threats, fantasy racism

“…[A] delightful read, full of magic and touching moments of humanity in the face of darkness.”

~Arista A. Holmes, author of the Fey Touched Trilogy

“This is a rollercoaster… There are thrilling twists and turns, enough mystery to keep you going, and a satisfying payoff at the end.”

~E, Goodreads review

“It’s got… a lush fairytale manner about it but hides dark secrets.”

~Oliver Ferrie, author of Sugar People

[elzorab]

Damaged DNA Op Art #opticalart #vibrant #vivid #opart #design #art #artist #razvananton #răzvananton #artdesign #artwork #image #stylish #designer #abstractart #abstractartist #abstractimage #modernart #moderndesign https://www.instagram.com/p/CdxkSl-OTDG/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=

[cocukklinigi]

Çocuklarda Üst Solunum Yolu Enfeksiyonu Dikkat Edilmesi Gerekenler: 👍Çocuğun taze meyve suları ve bitki çayları gibi seçeneklerle bol sıvı tüketmesi, ılık banyolarla rahatlatılması gerekiyor. Bu dönemde iştahı olmayan çocuğun yemeye zorlanmaması tavsiye ediliyor. 👍Çocuklar taze meyve sebze ve bol sıvı tüketmelidir. 👍Ilık bir banyo ile çocuk rahatlatılmalıdır. 👍Ev ısısı çok yüksek olmamalıdır. Ortam havalandırılmalı ve serin tutulmalıdır. 👍Hasta çocuk okula gönderilmemelidir. 👍Ebeveynler çocuğun yaşam alanında sigara içmemelidir. Mümkünse en yakın zamanda sigarayı bırakmalıdır. 👍Viral enfeksiyonların 3-5 gün içinde iyileşme görüleceği hatırda tutulmalıdır. 👍Çocuğun durumunda iyileşme görülmüyorsa mutlaka doktora danışılmalıdır. 👍2 yaş altı bebeklerde ve özellikle yenidoğanlarda mutlaka bir çocuk hekimiyle iletişimde olunmalıdır. Bilgi ve sevgi paylaştıkça çoğalır🌹 Sizler de görmesini istediğiniz arkadaşlarınızı yoruma etiketleyerek bilgilenmelerini sağlayabilirsiniz. ⚠️Beğen, paylaş ve kaydet… @cocukklinigi @cocukuzmanlari #üstsolunumyoluenfeksiyonu #çocukkliniği #çocukuzmanları #cocukklinigi #cocukuzmanlari #birannekadargüvenli #çocuklarınızeminellerde #keşfet #fyp #instagram (Turkey) https://www.instagram.com/p/CZXLYi-oTDg/?utm_medium=tumblr

[valyacho]

a touch late, but here are my personal favorites from all the sprites i made for OTDG!

[tri-it-fit]

Gemeinsam laufen ist einfach viel schöner 🏃‍♂️🏃‍♀️ Gestern waren es zwar "nur" 10 km, aber in Zukunft werden das mit Sicherheit noch wesentlich mehr. Und ich freu mich richtig drauf @tri_train_trallalla 😍 - ------------------------------------------------------------ ***ÜBERWINDE DEIN LIMIT*** ------------------------------------------------------------ #tri #triathlon #fitfam #workout #rennrad #swimbikerun #überwindedeinlimit #sports #fitnessmotivation #teamtriitfit #fit #fitness #laufliebe  #triathlonmotivation #fitnessfreaks #getfit #triitfit #training #triathlonliebe #roadbike #triathlete #triathlonlifestyle #triathlontraining #endurance #laufen #cycling #running #rennradfahren #laufenmachtglücklich (hier: Freiburg im Breisgau) https://www.instagram.com/p/ByPCZF-otdG/?igshid=ppvuie7jl7q7

[jjoneswriting]

My co-author and I are thrilled to present our self-published novella “Over the Dragon’s Gate,” a dark paranormal romance/urban fantasy. You’ve heard of manic pixie dream girl, now get ready for sad pond-monster dream boy!

Summary: Treya has everything he needs in his pond: food, shelter, and other fish to swim with. It’s painful to wonder if he had another life once, so he ignores the fragments of disturbing dreams that plague him.

But when a boy falls into his pond, Treya discovers he’s more than a fish. He can also become a boy, and now he has a friend: the irrepressible Eli. During secret meetings in the garden surrounding the pond, Treya and Eli forge a bond that even dark magic can’t break. But when Eli starts asking questions about who and what Treya is, the two of them discover that questions are dangerous, answers have a cost, and their fates depend on unraveling the mystery of Treya’s past.

Word count: 44k

Comps: It has "That Story Isn't the Story" vibes mixed with "Room."

Smashwords

Kindle

Kobo

Goodreads

Content warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, death, gaslighting, memory loss, amnesia, mind manipulation, mind control, implied noncon (in the background, due to the mind control), crying (a lot of crying), vomit, underage drinking, implied/referenced drug use, car accidents, child neglect, child abuse, murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, magical imprisonment, trauma, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt (planned but not carried out), death threats, fantasy racism

Soundtrack

…[A] delightful read, full of magic and touching moments of humanity in the face of darkness. ~Arista A. Holmes, author of the Fey Touched Trilogy

This is a rollercoaster… There are thrilling twists and turns, enough mystery to keep you going, and a satisfying payoff at the end. ~E, Goodreads review

It’s got… a lush fairytale manner about it but hides dark secrets. ~Oliver Ferrie, author of Sugar People

[jjoneswriting]

Your name is Eli. Your best friend is a fish who can turn into a boy. He lives in your rich adoptive father’s penthouse koi pond, and doesn’t remember who he is or why he’s there. How can you save him if you can’t solve the mystery of his past?

And what if he's not the only one who needs saving?

Our novella “Over the Dragon’s Gate” is on Smashwords and Kindle if you want to find out what happens.

[jjoneswriting]

Would anyone like a review copy of "Over the Dragon's Gate"?

If a few people wanted review copies of my co-written dark fantasy novella in exchange for an honest review on Amazon or Smashwords, I would be happy to give some out! DM me if the summary sounds like your jam or you want more info.

Summary: Treya has everything he needs in his pond: food, shelter, and other fish to swim with. It’s painful to wonder if he had another life once, so he ignores the fragments of disturbing dreams that plague him.

But when a boy falls into his pond, Treya discovers he’s more than a fish. He can also become a boy, and now he has a friend: the irrepressible Eli. During secret meetings in the garden surrounding the pond, Treya and Eli forge a bond that even dark magic can’t break. But when Eli starts asking questions about who and what Treya is, the two of them discover that questions are dangerous, answers have a cost, and their fates depend on unraveling the mystery of Treya’s past.

Word count: 44k

Smashwords

Kindle

Content warnings: Graphic depictions of violence, death, gaslighting, memory loss, amnesia, mind manipulation, mind control, implied noncon (in the background, due to the mind control), crying (a lot of crying), vomit, underage drinking, implied/referenced drug use, car accidents, child neglect, child abuse, murder, kidnapping, imprisonment, magical imprisonment, trauma, suicidal ideation, suicide attempt (planned but not carried out), death threats, fantasy racism

Soundtrack

I feel like we released it just as Twitter shit the bed but before I was really back on Tumblr, and I’m at a loss for ways to promote it, so if you have indie book promo advice hit me up! Thanks in advance and have a lovely afternoon!

[jjoneswriting]

Find the Word Tag

I was tagged by @indigowriting to find sing, around, lack, and borrow.

I haven't done a heck of a lot of writing since the last tag game I did so I went back to Over the Dragon's Gate for these.

I found song (close enough):

“Where are your parents?” He couldn’t remember. He had fragments of memories now that he’d rediscovered his human shape—words and concepts he’d forgotten as a fish—but there was an empty space in his chest, near his heart, where other memories should have been. All he had left of his family was the faint echo of his mother’s voice, the song from his dreams. He looked away.

around

The moon was out the next night when fingers broke the surface of his pond and wiggled around. “Come out, come out, fishie boy!” a voice called from above, distorted through the water.

lack

He was swimming in idle circles, just after the sun had gone down, when he heard footsteps on the garden path. Something about them sounded familiar. Almost unconsciously, Treya rose closer to the surface. This person was smaller than the man who owned the garden. They lacked the easy grace of the woman who wandered the garden at night, and her hollow laughter. Slowly at first, but then with determined steps, they walked to the center of the bridge and sat down cross-legged there, staring into the pond.

borrow

He continued drawing other favorite memories. Reading together in the pagoda. Staging a multi-night adventure for their pirate and knight figures. Eli untangling the knots from his hair. Making and racing origami boats together. He drew until he ran out of paper and had to borrow more to illustrate and write the final scene in the library.

I'll tag @sam-glade, @sarahlizziewrites, @snehithiye, and anyone else who wants to to jump in on the words jump, eat, live, and go.

[jjoneswriting]

Favorite Line Tag

I was tagged by @i-can-even-burn-salad to share my favorite line I've written lately. It's this one from "Over the Dragon's Gate," no question:

Something jagged and baleful opened up inside Treya, blooming like a black flower. This couldn’t go on. Anton was giving him no choice but to end it.

And Treya wanted to make Anton regret it.

>:3c

I will tag: @btranscrolls, @jasmineinthenight, @writingmaidenwarrior, and @hollyannewrites

[jjoneswriting]

One Song For Every OC Tag

I got tagged by @writernopal, thanks, this is a fun one!

Rules: Assign a song that fits the vibe of your OC.

These OCs are all from "Over the Dragon's Gate"!

Tagging: @indigowriting, @asablehart, @sarahlizziewrites, and @oliverferrie

Treya (sad pond monster dream boy)

Eli Chevalier Whelan (has ADHD and a huge crush)

Anton Chevalier (evil billionaire)

Meredith Chevalier (????)

[jjoneswriting]

Me and my coauthor were discussing our MC from Over the Dragon’s Gate in chat LMAO (under a readmore for a spoiler)

[jjoneswriting]

Find the Word Tag

I was tagged by @kanobarlowe!

Apparently I never use the words lazy or lecture! But here are the other two.

Separate: from "Over the Dragon's Gate"

He closed his eyes when Eli set the brush aside and separated Treya’s hair into three thick sections. This was his favorite part, when Eli’s fingers worked through his hair and twisted the strands into a long braid.

Cruel: from "Over the Dragon's Gate" and whoops I used it twice in one paragraph, YOLO. But this is a great serendipitous connection to the other excerpt!

“There. I’m not so cruel after all, am I?” Anton said. Treya nodded, wordless. Then, to Treya’s horror, Anton’s hand crept into his hair, carding through it with unsettling care. Anton couldn’t know he was mirroring Eli’s considerate ministrations, but it felt like a cruel mockery all the same. Treya shuddered.

I will tag @oliverferrie, @catchingbigfish, and @asablehart!

Your words are resolve, heart, proud, and catch.

[jjoneswriting]

Find the Word Tag

I got tagged by @winterandwords, thank you! My words were:

"Morning," from "Over the Dragon's Gate:"

Then something broke inside of him. Angrily, he grabbed up the book he’d made and threw it. “STUPID!” Loose papers fluttered across the garden. 

Treya cried as he gathered up the papers so Anton couldn’t find them in the morning. He wanted to rip every single page into tiny pieces, but he couldn’t quite bring himself to do it. Instead, he shoved the book inside the old sweatshirt and pushed it into the back of their hiding place.

"Afternoon," from an untitled WIP about an orbital elevator in the Nevada desert:

It was barely two in the afternoon, a pointless time of day on a Sunday. Standing in the midst of this vast desert, it was hard to believe the blank blue sky above was swarming with life.

"Evening," from "Over the Dragon's Gate" (context is transporting some large fish LOL):

"We’ll empty [the transport tank] and take it back down the mountain to the truck in the evening," Helikis said. "You and your boyfriend don’t need to worry about a thing."

Treya felt himself blush. “Thanks, Helikis. I’ll see you later, okay?” he said, simultaneously pleased and embarrassed.

"Night," from a WIP tentatively titled "Still Life with Ghost:"

He plays Duke Ellington that night for the ghost, and they don’t knock any books off the shelf.

I will tag @gummybugg, @asablehart, aaaaaannnnnd @btranscrolls and your words will be: here, there, where, whether

[jjoneswriting]

Happy STS! I see that you've worked with a co-writer on at least one wip before. What do you see as the positive aspects of co-writing a story with someone else? Any challenges? Do you come up with characters and plots together, separately, or a mix of both?

OMG I missed this somehow, thanks for sending it and here is my late response!

I absolutely love co-writing and have partnered up with multiple people. I’ve been very lucky in that I’ve always really meshed well with my co-writers and we tend to have complimentary strengths and weaknesses. For example, for “Over the Dragon’s Gate,” my co-author Riley was great at writing cute stuff and I was more into the grim stuff, and together we created emotional whiplash. We also wrote things together that I don’t think either of us would have thought of on our own, mostly by enabling each other to do meaner and meaner things to our poor characters LMAO. For another example, I wrote a Motorcity fanfic that had a lot of computing and AI concepts in it with a computer programmer who took care of all the technical stuff while I wrote more of the action scenes. It’s really fun and magical to open the doc and the fic has grown overnight because your co-writer was working on it.

In terms of plot, I’ve always come up with plots collaboratively when co-writing. The method changes depending on how I work together best with different people - I’ve both worked off an outline we pieced together and totally winged it. Either way there’s a lot of brainstorming and bouncing ideas off each other. I find it really fun. It IS a big commitment however! You have to commit to your co-writer and to your story. When Riley and I started “Over the Dragon’s Gate,” we did it for shits and giggles and thought it would be 10k words tops. And then we got seriously emotionally invested and realized it was turning into an actual novella with characters that we loved and drama that we were invested in, and that was when we decided to self-publish it. It took WAY longer than we were expecting to write it, but we cheered each other on during the hard parts, and now we are both really proud of the story we created.

[jjoneswriting]

Our novella “Over the Dragon’s Gate” releases tomorrow! To celebrate here’s an amazing coloring page by editor and beta reader Quillheart! We are excited to share the story with you.