Inside the Character: Eadën Vangûard

So apparently a lot of people want to see an ItC on Eadën from The Cycle of Time. I haven't dealt with that story in a while, so this could be interesting to see how much I remember/get feelings over Eadën (then again, it's not hard to get feelings over Eadën). I will try to avoid spoilers but know that he is a big character in The Cycle of Time so there is bound to be some secrets or storylines revealed.


P.S. Some of you ask, I answer: the ¨ above the "e" in Eadën's name is part of the language I created for the elves in Janíza (the land that The Cycle of Time is set in). Normally, the ¨ represents the natural sound of a letter (like e says "eh", a says "ah", etc.) and is used in longer, more complicated names to help with pronunciation. You may be saying, "but Eadën's name isn't complicated it's just 'eden'." This is true. However, since he is royal, the ¨ is used more as decoration. Call it fancifying royal people's names in this case.

In case you were wondering what the other symbols mean:
¨ = natural sound
ˆ = no sound
´ = long sound (e = ee, a = ay, etc.)

Otherwise, words are pronounced normally.

Fun trivia: In elven, Eadën's name is actually pronounced "ee-AY-den", with a long "a" sound. However, humans are bad at language apparently and read it as "Eden". ;)

Okay. Language rant over, you can skip that. Bye.


1. Who would play Eadën in a movie?
Honestly? I don't know. I haven't found his actor yet, but I have a few pics of drawings and stuff that resemble him so here ya go.

This would be Eadën most of the time...tired, sharp featured, and hair in disarray.

However, he does have moments like this...

Where he is very creepy looking when he wants to be.

Eadën is an elf, by the way.

2. What color is his hair?

Eadën's hair is described as glossy black and wavy/curly in texture. It is cut loose across his forehead, so you can usually see the wave. He rarely combs it since he's kind of a traveling man, so it's kinda a mess sometimes.

3. What color are his eyes?

Those who have read the current draft of The Cycle of Time: The Journey (lookin' at you, Rachel) are well aware that Eadën's eyes are very, very blue. Sky-blue; azure almost. They are extremely bright and are actually a bit shocking at first.

4. What is his body type?

Per elven norm, he's lean, but muscled, and quite tall (think 6'7"). And he's extremely angular. I think I described him as looking like "a string was tied to his spine and it was pulling him upwards constantly" or something like that. His shoulders are sharp, hipbones jagged, and his silhouette is all edges and corners. He is also very pale, and his skin is described as having almost a silvery sheen to it.

5. Does he have any piercings/tattoos? 

None mentioned in the book, that I can recall...however, I wouldn't be surprised if he had a tiny meaningful inked something-or-other on his skin.

6. What's the most attractive thing about him?

Since he comes off as alien-ish with his elven self, only some find him attractive. However, the most attractive thing I find about him is either his eyes or his super-sharp facial features. Think STRONG JAWLINE. VERY. STRONG.

7. What is the ugliest thing about him?

Okay, trying not to spoil anything, so read on if you dare. He has a really ugly scar wrapping over one side of his torso from mid-stomach, over shoulder, and down back. It's from a wound that was deadly but of course he magically lived through it (I know, I'm working on it...).

8. When he smiles, what does it look like?

LOLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLLL that never happens. Eadën has had a very hard life and he doesn't like joy. However, it is notable that he has extremely white and amazing teeth.

9. What does his laugh sound like?

LOLLLLLLLLOLOLOLOLOLOLOLLLL no.

10. What is his normal speech pattern?

He has kind of fancy-talk (but not as fancy as the fairies). He's pretty articulate despite not having attended most of his childhood schooling.

11. How does he express/handle anger?

Hrm...he's kind of emotionally dead, honestly. Granted, anger would be one of his most-felt emotions, but he doesn't show it much. If he gets angry enough to react towards someone, he would probably either kill them or like flip a table or something.

12. Does he cry?

Only on special occasions I suppose. He's used to sadness so it's only rare that he cries, but when he does it's usually like silent, and he just tenses up as tears stream down his lil face.

13. What would make him cry?

In the novel, Eadën struggles with feeling unworthy of his place in life and guilty over the choices he's made. It is these issues combined with longing to please/live up to his deceased father that makes him cry in the book. So yeah, stuff like that.

14. How easy is it for people to read his emotions?

Unlike Jay (whom, as I've mentioned, people who know him can tell by his physical cues how he feels), Eadën is completely unreadable and people hate him for it. He can hide almost any emotion, even from his own wife.

Character Beliefs

15. Is he religious?

Not particularly. I think he follows a religion, but not very strictly.

16. How does he view those of other faiths?

He doesn't care what you believe.

17. What are his core values?
Eadën's core values would beeeee.......hmmmmmmmm...........probably loyalty, or striving to be a better person. Idk if those are "values" or not, but they're things he's always focused on.

18. How willing is he to fight for those values?
In theory, Eadën would fight for anything if he believed in the cause. However, if he's discouraged or defeated...he finds it difficult to get back up sometimes.

Likes and Dislikes

19. What is his favorite food?

He's vegetarian, actually. He really likes fruit.

20. What is his favorite color?

Probably green. He really loves being out in nature, so green has become a calming color for his turbid mind.

21. What is his sleeping preferences?

Eadën is definitely not picky when it comes to sleeping. Actually, he really doesn't sleep much at all. I think in the book once he went several days without sleeping a wink. You can imagine he was grumpy and emotional about it, too. Anyway, he doesn't sleep much because he has nightmares...yikes. Poor bb.

BONUS: What position does he usually sleep in?

Probably on his side, or stretched out.

22. What type of music does he listen to?

Eadën was never one for arts and crafts and math and writing. He was always out on the field perfecting his swordplay and footwork.

Character Introspection

23. When is his birthday?

I'm not sure of the exact date, but he was born in the summertime.

24. What family structure did he have growing up?

Eadën was supposed to be born dead, so he's been sort of fighting for his life ever since he was a wee babbie. You see, elves are biologically capable of having only one child in their lifetime, so Eadën was more than a miracle child, especially since he was alive when he was born (albeit weak and wailing). His older sister doted on him for much of his childhood, and his parents, the king and queen, didn't see much harm in him skipping his classes and romping out in the sun if it meant he would get stronger. However, after a while his older sister realized that their parents paid more attention to Eadën than they did to her and...well, the rest is history.

25. What is the worst thing he has ever done?

um idk probs burning down half of janíza and earning the title ember because all he left in his wake was embers but u know idk

26. What is the best thing he has ever done?

Attempting to turn his messed up life around, even though it meant leaving everything he loves and knows and jumping headfirst into danger.

27. Has he ever been in love?

Once...long story short, he had taken a young ten-year-old human girl prisoner when she decided to start talking non-stop to him for weeks since she was bored and he visited the prison every day. She ended up spurning his turn-around, and he helped her escape. About a decade later, they married, despite his elven nearly-immortal aging and her short life span.

28. What is his biggest goal in life?

To stop the war in Janíza and finally settle down with his little fam-fam. :3

29. What does he believe is his greatest vice?
Without a doubt, black magic. It is an addictive form of magic and he used it for a long time and struggles to fully separate himself from its consumptive power.

30. What motivates him most?
Probably his daughter, Clairê, and his wife, Linnea. He doesn't find anything redeeming within himself, so he simply focuses on staying alive and keeping Linnea and Clairê safe.

31. Is he objective oriented?
Most definitely. Goals have pretty much mapped his life out since before he can remember. Goals give him something tangible to work towards, I suppose.

32. Would he rather be a good person or a great person?
Great. However, I think he is realizing that he may only ever be a "good" person...to himself, anyway.

33. Would he rather be hated for who he is or loved for pretending to be someone else?
At one point, he lived for other people's acceptance. However, he's grown quite a bit since then and now I think he realizes that not everyone will love him for who he is. He still struggles with that, though.

34. Is he an extrovert, ambivert, or introvert?
Introvert, definitely.

35. Is he creatively expressive?
Yes! But only in one form: SWORDPLAY. He literally has the best form when he's using his sword, and his footwork is always flawless and it's said he looks like he's dancing some ferocious panther dance when he's fighting someone with a sword. He works constantly to be the perfect swordsman.

36. What is his disorder?
Where do I start. He's addicted to black magic, he's got PTSD basically from war and being like cut in half and his sister hating his guts and being evil, I'm pretty sure he's got major depression if we're being clinical here, and...and... *CRYING WILDLY*

37. Is he materialistic?
Seeing as he's only ever had any real possessions while he was still officially a prince, no, he's not particularly caught up on possessions. He does have a few possessions that he will probably hurt you if you touch them though.

38. What is his learning style?
He's definitely a visual learner. If he watches someone do something, he can probably replicate it pretty well.

39. I am a ______. How would he finish this sentence?
"I am a failure." (NOOOOO BB WHY U SAI THAT NO STOPIT)

40. Life is an act of _______. How would he finish this sentence?
"Life is an act of deciding when to stand up and fight back and when to kneel and take it."

OTHER

Theme song: "Cold" by Aqualung

Pinterest boards:
Eadën's board
The Cycle of Time board

Wattpad stories:
Excerpt of The Cycle of Time: The Journey
Janíza's Hero (short story)
Embers

Writing Risky and Relevant Topics (and why you should, even in your non-modern settings)

Genocide? Substance abuse? Racism? Addiction? Mental illness? Yep! They're all here, in my very own medieval fantasy novel.

"WAIT," you're probably saying out loud to your empty bedroom. "SUBSTANCE ABUSE AND MENTAL ILLNESS AND ADDICTION IN A MEDIEVAL FANTASY NOVEL??? IMPOSSIBLE!!! AND WHY???" That is a questions I have come to answer.

(Note: When I say "your story's theme", I am referring to the main point your novel is trying to get across. You know, like, "Love conquers all" or "Best friends are forever" or whatever. If you don't know your story's theme, that's okay. I don't know any of my stories' themes either.)



WHY YOU SHOULD INCLUDE RISKY TOPICS IN ALL (OR YOU KNOW, SOME) OF YOUR WRITING

So you may have noticed that some fantasy, sci-fi, historic-based, or what-have-you novels can sometimes be difficult to relate to. I think this is because of the lack of relevant themes within them. The setting is obviously alien, and sometimes the characters can be vastly different from the modern ideal, which makes it difficult for the reader to connect to the story. How does the author fix this problem?

The truth is that topics labeled "risky" (or just difficult to write), like racism, substance abuse, mental illness, and even gender and sexuality, are extremely relevant to today's readers. It's something that most people recognize and spend a lot of thought on--and some even relate to the issues brought up by these themes. Here's my case: topics like these have a place in EVERY genre of writing, not just modern or contemporary.

Imagine a young prince addicted to dark magic. He tried to get away from this power before, but in an attempt to heal his dying dragon, he was forced to come in contact with dark magic again. Just one touch threw him into withdrawals, and his addiction rose to the surface as he slipped further and further into dark magic's grips. Tada; you were just exposed to substance abuse and addiction in a medieval fantasy! (That may or may not have occurred in my novel The Cycle of Time, so don't steal my ideas.)

But why bother? What's the gain in including topics like these in your writing? And what will readers potentially learn from you writing about stuff like this?




BENEFITS: READER CONNECTION

By writing about risky, relevant, or controversial topics, you will be allowing your readers a point of access into the very heart of your novel. Risky and controversial topics provide something for your readers to open debates and discussions over, and depending on how you deal with such themes, could lead towards insights on how to resolve, accept, or deal with issues like addiction, racism, mental illness, etc. Writing about risky topics could also shed light on the topic itself, with the right viewpoint, and perhaps move a reader to do something to change either his own opinions/ideas or attempt to change someone else's opinions/ideas.

Depending on how you deal with your topic of choice (wether negatively, positively, or just neutrally), you will provide your reader with a point of view on the issue at hand. She will either learn how to love or how to hate what you're writing about. Don't be afraid to open up a new point of view on such themes. Maybe racism isn't just against African-American, Arabic, and Asian peoples. Do Europeans, Americans, Canadians, maybe even Peruvians experience it as well? And what about gender roles? What if a man is sensitive, sweet, and tends towards the emotional but is still confident in his masculinity? And what if the mentally ill feel just as deeply as we do? Not just soldiers and war vets get PTSD. And what if the addicted hate what they're addicted to?




BENEFITS: STORY THEME AND SUBJECT SUPPORT

Relevant themes like mental illness, gender roles, and racism provide a backbone for your story's theme. Even if it seems like the topic doesn't fit with your theme at first, you'd be surprised at how you can stretch and mold it to fill the gaps in your subject matter--which will provide you a richer and fuller story. Not only that, but the subject matter brought up by the presence of these risky topics could either support or defy your theme; both are constructive qualities of a good piece of writing.




BENEFITS: CONFLICT & SUBPLOT POSSIBILITIES

Maybe you're one of the (admittedly and regrettably rare) writers who include an Arabic or African-American character in your MC's posse, but none of your charries really acknowledge the character's race or ethnicity. However, imagine having just one--or maybe a few--characters who express racism towards that characters. Imagine the possibilities for conflict and character development that one little tweak would open up! YOU COULD HAVE ENTIRE HUGE FIGHT SCENES BETWEEN A CHARACTER AND HIS RACIST BEST FRIEND ONLY TO HAVE THE ETHNIC CHARACTER STAND UP AND SAY WHO CARES?!?!?! THEN THAT'S A WHOLE LIKE MESSAGE OF STANDING UP FOR YOURSELF, STANDING UP AGAINST RACISM, ETC. RIGHT THERE!!!

OOOORRR imagine having a character who simply likes to smoke, but his girlfriend doesn't like it and tries to get him to stop throughout the book. It could be a trivial and simple little subplot including cutesy scenes where the girlfriend tosses the boyfriend's cigarettes and he goes days without one and gets incredibly grumpy and uptight, but it would still be touching on addiction and, if shed in a negative light, could lightheartedly express the dangers and drawbacks of smoking.

These are tiny tweaks that could very well add that extra oomph to your novel, provide opportunities for character and story development, and offer a way to provide extra insight into your novel's theme.




BUUUUT...

In no way should you change your entire book's theme to fit one of these topics. Whatever message you choose (or your story chooses) for your book is special and entirely yours. What adding risky topics adds is a venue for reader relation, connection, and insight. Some books just don't call for this type of writing, and that's entirely okay. However, keep in mind that in order to say something with your writing, you may have to step out of your comfort zone (heck, look at me, a conservative Christian girl, who has a character who smoked, did drugs, abused alcohol, has tattoos, has a dirty mouth and mind, and is in no way a chaste Catholic boy [you probably know who I'm talkin' about {especially you, Kel. You know.}]). Don't be afraid to try new things; you may find you have something important to say.




AND I INCLUDE THESE IN NON-MODERN SETTINGS HOW...?

Good question, but not one I can explicitly answer. It all depends on your setting. Get creative! See how you can include these topics without compromising parts of your plot. Use a substance native to your fantasy setting to create addiction like I did with black magic, or create your own mental illness based on staying in space too long for your sci-fi. Maybe you created your own races for your setting; good for you! Use that to your advantage and create rifts between ethnicities! It's all up to your sense of creativity now. Go out and show the world what you're made of!




NON-EXTENSIVE LIST OF RISKY/CONTROVERSIAL/RELEVANT TOPICS (FOR INSPIRATION PURPOSES):

• racism
• genocide
• mental illness (autism, downs syndrome, aspergers)
• disease (AIDS, HIV, brain/heart disease, cancer, etc)
• addiction
• substance abuse
• mental abuse
• domestic violence/abuse
• sexuality
• gender roles
• eating disorders
• suicide/self harm
• domestic neglect
• abortion
• religious ideals
• religious oppression
• religion in general really
• gambling
• introversion (can someone please make it a positive/neutral trait and not negative)

LAST CALL!!! Beta-Readers Unite!!!

ATTENTION: THIS IS THE FINAL CALL FOR BETA READER PROFILES TO BE SENT TO ME FOR INCLUSION IN THE JOURNEY BETA READER PROGRAM!!!


IF YOU HAVE NOT SIGNED UP YET AND WISH TO, TODAY IS YOUR FINAL OPPORTUNITY.


THE PROGRAM BEGINS TOMORROW!!!!!


PLEASE REFER TO THIS POST FOR RULES AND PROFILE REQUIREMENTS.


THANK YOU!!!

Beta Reader Application Update

HELLO ALL PEOPLES!!!

About a month ago I put out a post calling ALL THE BETA READERS to help me edit The Cycle of Time: The Journey. I would like to inform at this near-halfway-point, the program is nearly half full! However, there are still open spots in the program, so if you are planning on applying, don't hold out any longer! It's only like four super simple questions you have to answer, and they don't have to be written out formally or anything. You could literally just write all the answers in one sentence and I could figure it out (wether that would be a good shout-out to your writing skills or not is another matter... ;) ).

So, IF YOU WANT A SPOT, GRAB IT NOW!!! THE BETA READER PROGRAM IS FILLING UP PRETTY QUICKLY!!! There is less than a month and a half left in the application period (I'll stop taking applications on April 24) so make that quick email so you can secure your place.



And here is a gif of James McAvoy sassily jumping into a dance between you and your prospective husband.

You're welcome.

Calling All Beta-Readers! Apply now for a chance to beta-read "The Cycle of Time: The Journey"

Hello, my peoples! I am hereby calling ALL THE BETA READERS!

With The Journey (link leads to info on book) finished and edited until my head hurts, I think it's time for some new perspectives. Thus, I am calling on the help of 20 beta readers to properly edit and give feedback on The Cycle of Time: The Journey (link leads to info on book). Participants are looking at an exclusive chance to read The Journey before the general public, as well as some other perks, such as:

• With consent, beta readers will be mentioned (by name or by email/internet name) in the published version of The Journey's "Acknowledgments" page
• A personalized blog to discuss the book with other beta readers
• A little badge of my own creation that will probably completely stink for internet awesomeness purposes
• My eternal love
• Chances to be first-choice to beta read upcoming novels/short stories/etc of mine as I finish them
• If you want, you can receive a print copy of the novel you are editing when the beta reading is over

If you are interested, here are the details:

The Journey Beta-Reading Program

The Cycle of Time: The Journey (Long) Synopsis

Darkness is nearer than the land of Janíza knows. Fire Eye, the ruthless ruler, is weakening the cities, and before the people will be able to react, everything they know will vanish.

Alli and Dirco, two orphans living in the slums of a secluded village, live in this time. Dirco barely makes enough money from his storytelling to feed them both. Just when Alli is beginning to wonder where their next meal will take place, a stranger appears and hires them to travel with him, claiming he is interested in Dirco's stories. Things only become darker and stranger from there, as both Alli and Dirco are thrown into the midst of a ongoing war that seems to revolve around Dan, the stranger.

Now neck-deep in a battle that began far before either of them were born, Alli and Dirco struggle to survive as Dan pulls them from one end of Janíza to the other. Questions arise, but he avoids them and insists they keep close. Alli knows Dan isn't who he says he is, but is too scared to ask herself who he could really be. When she is suddenly forced to question everything she has ever known, will she have the strength to fight or will she hide forever in the small village of Geggon?

The Cycle of Time has just begun. The tests have just started. Before she knows it, Alli will be thrust into a strange new world. If she and Dirco don't accept, all will be lost.

Qualifications:

1. You must be able to read and write fluently in English.
2. You must be at least 13 years of age for reasons.
3. You must have a Google account in order to reach Google Docs, which is where the beta reading will be taking place.
4. Applicants must have consistent access to the internet via laptop/computer.
5. All participants will be required to read and sign some official stuff that says you can't copy my work (because it IS officially copyrighted) and that you won't blab about my storyline to the whole internet. You will be allowed to discuss whatever you want on your given blog, but outside of that I will request you keep silent. You will be allowed to say that you are in the Beta Reader Program and such but no details leaked, please! Doing so will result in instant rejection from the program.
6. You must give consent to publish your name (in whatever form you like) in the published version of The Journey. If you don't want this, that's fine too.
7. Only one applicant per household. Literary agents, editors, or employees of ANY publishing company are not eligible to participate in the program. An false information will result in instant rejection.
8. You must, of course, have at least some history in writing/reading. I will be asking some pretty deep questions for you to answer, so you have to have some knowledge on how storylines and character arcs work in order to properly give good feedback.

The Beta Reader Program:

• The application window opens at the posting of this post (so now) and closes on April 24, 2015 at 11:59am Eastern Time. All those accepted will receive the Beta Reader Program Official Email of Awesomeness.

• Readers will be provided the url to their blog and their Beta Reader Program Packet if they are selected to participate.

• The Beta Reader Program will begin when I post the first installment on Google Docs, which will most likely be in early May. The book is over 22 chapters long, so I will be posting multiple chapters at a time for about 6-8 weeks during the summer.

• Beta readers will be provided several chapters of The Journey every Sunday night between the hours of 9-11:00pm. Reader assessments must be turned in by 11:59pm the following Sunday night. (Of course I'm a busy person too so if you miss this deadline it's cool. As long as you get them in sometime during the next week.) As long as readers continue to comment on the works and turn in their readers assessments, they will continue to be able to post on the blog.

• You will have continued access to the blog after the program is over. I'm not gonna take that away from you, don't worry.

• When I finish any other books, you will have first chance to continue your beta reading.

• While I will never edit content of any posts or comments submitted to your special blog, I will not tolerate hate speech, overtly political messages, or slanderous comments aimed at me, other authors, fans, Beta Readers, or individuals. Any such behavior which intentionally violates the spirit or function of the Beta Reader Program will result in the offender being removed from the Beta Reader Program. And I will also find you. And ruin your Netflix connection while you are trying to watch that one show. Yeah, that's right, I mean business.

Application Details:

Please send all applications to acrossbooks@gmail.com

To apply, please provide the following (star * indicates categories not required, but highly suggested for my own personal research. I promise I won't use any information you send to advertise to you, send to any third parties, or any such cruelties that the rest of the world does. I just like to know who my audience is and how they are responding.):

• Age (must be at least 13)
• Name (at least internet name/username/fake name/nickname. I need something to call you by if you don't want to give me your real name.)
• Whether you want your name mentioned in the acknowledgments in the published version of The Journey or not
• *Gender (male, female, unspecified)
• *Preferred reading genre (fantasy, sci-fi, dystopian, medieval, modern, etc. If you don't know, just list some of your favorite books!)
• Writing/editing background: Basically, I'm asking if you have any history in the general framework of understanding how a story works. If you don't, hey, I'm not expecting too many applications so go ahead and apply anyway. If I don't get over 20 applications then I will accept all applications that come in. All you really need is a willingness to be as honest as possible while reading through my novel. :)
• *How did you find out about The Journey Beta-Reading Program (Pinterest, this blog, etc.)
• What's your favorite ice cream flavor?
• On a scale of one to ten, how much do you like Lord of the Rings? (sorry guys, I need to know these things. No optionalness.)

If there are any questions, please comment below or email me at acrossbooks@gmail.com

I like emails.

I won't bite, I promise.

Good luck and may the Force be with you, Luke!

Stuff Happens More on Wattpad (aka A Comprehensive Guide to Ana's Wattpad Page)

As you may or may not know, I joined Wattpad a while back and, as you may know if you stalk me close enough, I post things pretty regularly on there. While my posting is mainly short stories and nothing really substantial, it's still pretty like, for real. It also answers some questions I'm sure you have about many of my characters (that is, if you stalk me on Pinterest close enough to know my characters).

Currently, I have 17 stories published on Wattpad, including (DUN DUN DUN) an ENTIRE FULL LENGTH NOVEL!!!! Have I ever mentioned Rhett Hawke? Well now I have. In his story the humor side of myself comes out, so its nothing serious, though I attempted it to be sometimes. Keep in mind that I wrote it when I was about 13, edited it maybe four times, and left it because I'm not really planning on publishing it or anything anytime soon, so I decided to make it a magical Wattpad series for all the magical Wattpad people of the world. Enjoy :3

Anyway, about my other works... I have 17 published works (I said that already didn't I) and about 75% of them are short stories about my various novels. To give you a peeky peek, I shall make a handy dandy list about my handy dandy titles and what characters and stories they include and/or are related to (feel free to skip, I'm just bored):

UNTITLED (Peter Pan fanfiction-retelling backstory type deal)
What it's about: I have a board on Pinterest about it...and that's literally about all I understand about it. It's a really cool story if I do say so myself, I just have to plan it out some more.
How much posted: A chapter...a short chapter...
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Nope. I don't post much to the pinterest board and haven't written any blog post about it, so it's just me and my brain.
Updated?: Not really. I need to plan it.
Worth reading?: Why not? It's like a peek into my sick mind. >:) (Then again I could say that about everything)


Blue Skyys
What it's about: Sci-fi galactic war between two rivaling galaxies. Includes major brotherly/family feels and awesome characterization (ahem I'm really proud of those charries okay). Also a cliffhanger. And really intense scenes.
How much posted: Three or four chapters, pretty good length.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Eh, if you really really stalk me you'll know a pretty okay bit about it. I've written a blog post on it, and the board on Pinterest for it is a pretty good size.
Updated?: Nope. It's coauthored, and the coauthor doesn't write hardly at all, so no regular updates.
Worth reading?: I've been told the setting is a little hard to explain, but if you like the genre, I think it's worth a skim to see if you want to invest time in actually sitting down to read it.


The Orion: The Deadlands
What it's about: If you stalk me you know. Post-apocalyptic, bad governments, all the rage going on these days in young adult fiction. Awesome characters stuck in lame writing.
How much posted: Two shortish chapters. I am capable of posting more (I have the whole thing written yet unedited), but I'm not sure I want to because I want to publish this one someday.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Yes. Absolutely. I post about this one all the time.
Updated?: Like I said, I can, but I don't, because I want to publish it and don't want to spoil it...
Worth reading?: Really only if you're curious and want to get a feel of what the book's about. Nothing really happens; the prologue gives a good explanation of what the book is about. Otherwise, just a sneak peek.


Home at Last
What it's about: Short story I wrote for school, so it's pretty complete and like, you know, understandable. Set in King Arthur time. Pretty epic.
How much posted: It's four pages long, but a complete story.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Nope. Little known secret though: I have a secret board on Pinterest with ideas for a King Arthur story. Coming soon to a Wattpad near you.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth Reading?: If you're into it, sure! One of my better works, probably, because it was for school so it had to be pretty good to get a good grade. :)


Luke's Conversion
What it's about: Short story (excerpt of Orion series 2). It's about Luke Vetti converting to Christianity. Major Luke feels ahead.
How much posted: It's a short story, completed, edited but probably not perfected, four pages long.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Luke Vetti has the largest Character Board on my Pinterest account (about 652 pins, I believe, at time of writing). He's famous amongst my Pinterest followers...though not as famous as Westly Decker.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth Reading?: Yes.


Luke & Kyle: The End of the Line
What it's about: Short story (related to Orion series 2). Luke and Kyle's infamous parting scene. Super painful.
How much posted: Two pages of indescribable pain.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Yes.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth Reading?: Yes.


"Know What You Fear"
What it's about: Short story (related to Orion series 2). Two young assassins from "The Orion series 2" who are dealing with issues related to being pressured young assassins.
How much posted: Two pages.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Not really. They have a board but that is all.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: For fun, why not.


Rhett Hawke: The Secret of Blackrock Cave
What it's about: FULL LENGTH NOVEL!!! Very humorous and lighthearted tale of pirates and orphans and treasure and Rhett Hawke the Awesome.
How much posted: 31 Wattpad pages, about 100 normal pages, so a novella.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: I'll post the occasional Aiden Turner pic for Rhett Hawke on Pinterest, and I've mentioned Rhett Hawke before, so kinda.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: It's a bit of a commitment, but if you want a laugh (even if it's a slightly random plotted, slightly unedited laugh), this is the book for you. Especially if you're a Pirates of the Caribbean fan.


Me Too
What it's about: I wrote this short story in a writer's meeting one day and thought it was interesting enough to type out and post. It's not terrible, not a piece of art, but it's so short you might as well give it a go.
How much posted: 1 page.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: No.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: I put it up there for kicks.


One Song Won't Hurt
What it's about: Short story (related to Superior Race). Lane and Chloe go to the prom. Lane-ness ensues.
How much posted: 2 pages.
Well known (if you stalk me?): I haven't done anything with this story in a while, but it's pretty well known.
Updated?: Complete.
Worth reading?: It's a fluffy little piece. Nothing epic or severe.


Embers
What it's about: Short story (related to the Cycle of Time). A collection of short stories that only has one short story, but I wrote another and plan to post it.
How much posted: 4 pages.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: YEAH MAN. I TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
Updated: Recently I've been trying to write The Sentinels, so as long as inspiration holds, I will no doubt have a few short stories waiting around to be written.
Worth reading?: If you like fantasy or are interested, sure.


The Cycle of Time: The Journey
What it's about: About three chapters of my first novel, a fantasy adventure.
How much posted: 6 pages.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: YEAH MAN. I TALK ABOUT IT ALL THE TIME.
Updated: Nope. THAT'S ALL YOU'RE GETTING, PEOPLE.
Worth reading?: If you're curious...


Westly Decker
What it's about: Short stories revolving around my newest little baby bear, Wes. If you want feels, you're in the right place.
How much posted: 5 pages, two short stories.
Well known (if you stalk me)?: Pretty much. I only pin to his board every other day in massive spurts, that's all.
Updated: About once every month or so I crank out new feelings.
Worth reading?: I feel like the second story in this work is one of the most poignant, well-written works I've ever written, and my best friend Angie Zoe agrees. So yeah, read my awesomeness.



So yeah, exhaustive list of my works and how bad they are. Anyway, as you may have noticed, my blog doesn't get the attention it deserves. I am sorry for that. However, if you are lonely, head over to Wattpad or Pinterest to get some more action (Pinterest mostly). I post to there more often. :)

Yeah that was the whole point of this.

Yeah I don't care that this was incredibly long, it makes me feel better for not posting anything for months.

Yeah I know my blog posts are random, insane, have terrible grammar, and are filled with typos and inconsistencies.

Yeah I don't care.

Yeah it makes me feel like I'm writing a personal letter to people.

Yeah it makes me feel like I'm funnier than I am.

Yeah I like the personal feel it gives.

Yeah.

I know.

I'm da bomb.









(Yeah I know I'm selfish and conceited PLS DON'T HATE ME *cries*)

The Evolution of Written Stories

I guess it's time to make a new blogpost, Ana thought to herself as she sat down at her computer. But what about? She scrolled through her blogpost ideas, uninterested at the array of mostly randumb ideas in her brain. Then, she came across this one.

Comparing my first draft and my final draft? She scratched her head. I dunno...that leaves me up to exposing my terribly written work all over the internet. But the longer she thought this through, the more appealing it seemed.

Standing up and walking away from her desk, she moved towards her bedroom, and from her bedroom into her closet. She stepped into the slightly cluttered space and reached to the top shelf, bringing down her archives. She unzipped it, reached inside...

And brought out her first draft.

247 notebook pages of penciled, 9-year-old writing, all bound together with a tawny string. Mystified, she blew the imaginary dust off the top page, titled in ornate letters "HIDDEN HEROES: JOURNEY TO TAEBENGORDONJIN". She laughed deeply to herself, feeling like Gandalf with the ten-year-old papers in her hands. Brushing his beard from the page, Gandalf moved slowly, with an old-man like gait, to her large, wooden, ink-stained desk and sat down with a slight grunt, moving large, leather-bound books aside for this new and amazing discovery.

Then, Gandalf opened his computer, and began to read...

***********************

Chapter 1

Harvest

        "Dead." Irmese laughed as she swung her silver sword and stopped mid-air, centimeters from Custis's bare neck. She imitated the sound of a head being chopped off. She leaned on the hilt of her sword.

        "You're head is rolling in the dirt," she said matter-of-factly.

        Custis grinned, flashing white teeth showing under his lips. "I guess it is," he said, pretending to sulk. He threw his hands in the air and fell to the ground, clutching his chest, and screeched.

        Irmese strode over to where he lay, looking lifeless, and our her foot on his chest. "I, Irmese Migani Lestor, have defeated the great Custis!' She let out a loud, spine chilling, howling cackle.

        Custis's heart leapt as a voice said, "Not yet, Fowl Beast!"and he heard swords clang a few times, then Irmese screamed, a cross between a howl and a screech, unearthly and hair-lifting. A thump met Irmese's falling body. Then two hands lifted Custis's shoulders off the ground. "You are free, Young Hero. The Fowl Beast is dead."

*************************

Gandalf chuckled to himself, yet still he was slightly disturbed by the lack of grammar in his old writing. Turning to his final draft, he compared....

*************************

CHAPTER 1

SHROUDED

        Alli stood, transfixed, as she listened to Dirco’s low, captivating voice. His storytelling gift hypnotized people on a daily basis; a crowd had gathered around the seventeen-year-old boy, enraptured by the tale he told.

        Alli often wondered how Dirco did it; she had known him for a very long time—practically her whole life—and his voice never changed so dramatically as it did when he told a story. People stood and listened for hours as Dirco skillfully wove his tales of woe and of hope.

        In half an hour, Dirco finished his tale of the beginnings of Janiza bowed as the crowd applauded and threw small copper coins at him. Alli collected the coppers in her ragged skirt, smiling and thanking those who paid for his story.

        As the audience dispersed, Dirco approached Alli. “How much did we get?” he asked, his voice no longer low and smooth but boyish and somewhat hoarse. He grinned his twisted, cryptic, and creepily-charming grin.

        Alli counted silently. “I’d guess around six or seven coppers.”

        Dirco pushed his pale blonde hair back from his face, his strange whitish eyes wide. “With that crowd?” A frightening scowl replaced his grin. “I oughtta start making them pay to stand there like doltheads and wander off into la-la land!”

        Alli sighed as she tucked the money into her pocket. She would probably hear about this for the rest of the night. “At least we have something.”

        “Might as well have left squat!”

**********************

Not even the same characters. Interesting development. Gandalf stroked his beard, turning the pages of his first draft to the scene where his favorite character, Eadën, first appeared.

**********************

        Unexpectedly, Irmese whipped her head around, hair flying in all directions.

        "What's wrong?" Custis whispered, not doubting her superior elf hearing.

        (Ah, yes, Gandalf remembered. The girl was randomly transformed into an elf while they were randomly attacked by Jzän in the woods, which they were randomly playing in.)

        She didn't answer. She didn't have time to, really.

        A huge, groping Já'nän, walking on two legs, came hurrying towards them.

        Custis didn't have time to draw his sword, for when he looked again, it had transformed into a nimble black cat.

        The only thing that made Custis doubtful is that both of them had sparkling, sky-blue eyes.

        Irmese went into a panic and climbed a tree to the highest branch.

        The....Thing...transformed again into an agile sparrow, flying to Irmese and landing on her thin shoulder. She batted it away with a quick blow and it fell to the ground a cat once more.

        What is it? Custis asked himself.

        The moment he thought that, the Thing transformed into an elf.

CHAPTER 6

EADËN

        "What the..." Custis stammered, staring at the Thing, now a handsome young elf boy.

        Irmese spoke first, jumping out of the tree. "What kinda sick joke is this?!" She yelled, marching up to the tall elf. "What and who are you?! Some kind of freak, if you will, a weirdo, sicko, moron, maniac, WHAT?!" She poked a slender finger in his sharp-featured face. "Some demented, evil-spirit obsessed creature, right?!?!?!?! I say," she paused dramatically, then practically yelled, "YOU ARE AN EMBARRASSMENT TO ALL NATURE ITSELF!!! You creepy, shape-shifting, stinkin'—"

        "Okay, Irmese, let him speak for himself!" Custis interrupted, ruining her meaningful speech.

        "Well for one," the Thing-elf said. His voice surprised Custis. It was cool and clear and crisp, yet filled with an exotic and beautiful accent that was like music in his ears. "I applaud for the well thought of speech that was made up on the spot. That was incredible. And for two, I'm an elf. Whom or what other creature, I ask, is so attached to nature that is can literally change, inside and out, into nature itself?"

*******************

At this point Gandalf was forced to stop reading because his gag reflex had been acting up so badly. He choked away for another five minutes before finally getting a hold of himself, with the greatest of difficulty. "Did I really write that?!" he asked, reading ahead a bit, but reluctant to share how Eadën was born under a tree in a pit in the middle of nowhere, but he did not explain in the book why his queen mother was IN a pit in the middle of nowhere, thousands of miles away from her castle.

Gandalf cleared the bile from his throat with a swig of water and turned to his final draft. Hopefully, this one would be better...

*******************

        Dan didn’t answer. He had approached the door. He straightened his blood-soaked cloak, seemed to mentally prepare himself for...what? Then he knocked.

        For several minutes there was no sound, only the wind. Alli thought that maybe no one was home, until the door opened abruptly and there stood a young woman with long brown hair and large hazel eyes. She shrunk as she stared up at Dan, obviously frightened. Dan’s chest rose rapidly, as if he took a sharp breath upon seeing the woman.

        Alli and Firell glanced at Dan. The woman glanced at Alli and Firell.

        “Can I help you?” she said.

        Dan lifted an arm as if to reach out to her, then hesitated. He slowly touched her cheek with his fingertips, then caressed her face. When he spoke, his voice was no longer dark, whispery, or hoarse. Contrarily, his voice now sounded smooth, like velvet, with an unrecognizable lilt. He said, “Linnea.”

        Linnea, the woman’s, face paled. She swallowed, shook her head, and squinted closer at Dan. Reaching up slowly, as if Dan would attack her at any moment, she pushed his hood away from his face. Dan flinched as his face was revealed.

        Alli gasped the same moment Linnea did. Linnea fell back, crashing into the door. Then her face twisted, and she wrenched around, flung herself upon him, and twined her arms around his neck, shouting, “Eadën, Eadën! Oh, how—you—Eadën!”

*******************

Gandalf finally turned away from his first draft, unable to go on. Oh, how his story had evolved from such trash, to such acceptability! He was shocked at how much his entire PLOT had changed, now that he was flipping through the novel. He could not even believe how so many random scenes could make sense just three drafts later.

Re-arranging his original manuscript papers back into place and tying the string once again, Gandalf reflected how glad he was that he was done with that piece of trashy writing, and that he was now working with his final draft.

That first draft was fun to write, with all the freedom, Gandalf concluded, placing the archives back on Ana's closet shelf, But the final draft sure is worth all the work!

With this thought happy in her mind, along with the freeing thoughts of how bad her first draft was (that left her with all the freedom to make her other first drafts that bad!), Ana returned to her computer and opened the file labeled "Superior Race" to write until 4:00 pm, when she would have to help her mother with dinner.

The End.

READ MY WORK!

ATTENTION! I HAVE JOINED ANOTHER WEBSITE AND HAVE TAKEN THE NEXT STEP INTO THE BIG BAD WORLD!

Anastasia Cross is now on Wattpad!

My best friend Angelina Zoe (find her writing here, and her blog here) introduced me to this great website a few weeks ago and I have just gotten to actually joining and posting. Since I am very wary about letting the world see my awesome ideas and letting them have free reign of stealing it (ahem ahem wink wink) I have decided to only post things I am not planning on publishing. I did post the first chapter or two of every book I have finished and that I am working currently on, so CHECK IT OUT! Also, I have posted several short stories that pertain to my larger novels (i.e. include the characters and setting). So if you have the time or get bored or something, check out what I've done!

I may also begin posting random stuff like, stuff I will never finish or book beginnings that I scribbled down, if you're lucky... >:)

Thanks for reading!

Your faithful freak,

Links:
My watt pad page, where you can read some of my writing
http://www.wattpad.com/user/Anastasia_Cross

New Year's Resolutions

Happy new year! What was the first thing you did on January 1st, 12:00 am, 2014? I changed the channel from watching the ball in New York back to Batman and Robin (1997) on the Hub. I know, I do things right.

So, what's your new year's resolution? I haven't quite figured mine out yet. I think I'm deciding to get The Journey re-published and edited again. My brother has graciously agreed to edit it again, and he said his friend "knew people" (whatever that means, hopefully I won't be killed or anything by a mysterious ninja because of my book or something), so I think I'm deciding on that. Me and my agent decided mid-April, around the 15th, would be our deadline for finishing and republishing The Journey—exactly a year since it was originally published. Of course we'll have to re-copyright it and such...but it shouldn't be too hard of a problem.

The new year holds lots of possibilities! I'm always excited this time of year. And this is a BIG year for me; GRADUATION!! High school graduation, that is. I graduate in May and I will be attending college in August. OOH. SCARY. I'm so old and wrinkly and stuff. Frankly I'm a little apprehensive (that was a big word, Ana. Thanks, I've been reading my vocabulary homework.) But I know God has me in His hands (lucky me!).

Anyways, whatever your new year's resolution, I wish you the best of luck this new and surely fantasmical new year!!!

God bless all!!!

Inside the Character: Dirco Storyteller

September's ItC is...

DIRCO!!!

DUN DUN DUUUNNN...

No, he's really not that bad...usually...

Ahem.

Continue on, Dirco.


1. If you were in a movie, what actor would play you?
Dirco: *reclines back, hands behind head* Nice to be here, really is... I am quite the celebrity...
Me: Ahem. Dirco. Question.
Dirco: Oh, right. Of coooourse. Well. If I had an actor, it would probably definitely be NO ONE because really no one can catch my true essence.
Me: It's true, no one can.
Dirco: ;D
Me: But as for looks, Kenton Duty is as close as it gets that I've found so far.

Of course, the hair would have to be paler, and his eyes would have to be ice-white, but the overall facial/body structure is pretty accurate. I guess.

2. What are some of your best qualities?
Dirco: Storytelling, comical relief, painful truths, and magic.
Me: To the point.
Dirco: Are you going to commentate everything? Because I'm gone if you do.
Me: Yeah, I get it, you'll go all puppet-strings on me again...

3. What are some of your friends, and what do you like best about them?
Dirco: Alli, because she's...ah...well...I guess I've had to put up with her for so long, that without her it's just sorta...eh. Eadën is not really my friend, more like a vague acquaintance, and Vette is a friend. She's...uh...cool.
Me: Care to explain?
Dirco: No. Not really. It was spontaneous and strange.
Me: Good thing I changed most of that.
Dirco: Yeah...AWKWARD...

4. So, you went through a puppet phase. What was that like?
Dirco: Well, the true story is that my writer here tried to make me something I wasn't. Emotional. And I was like,
"UM, NO WAY I DON'T WANNA. YOU GOTTA LET ME HANG LIKE I DO. LOOSE AND COOL. AND JUT LET ME EMOTION LIKE I WANNA EMOTION."
And she was like, "I'M YO WRITA YOU'D BETTA LISTEN TO ME OR I CAN TAKE YOU OUT LICKETY-SPLIT."
And I was all like, "Oh yeah, well, fell the wrath of DIRCO!!!"
And she was all like, "I don't feel NUTHIN."
So then I was forced to go puppet-strings on her. And then she cursed me out some more. And then I decided just now to come out and say hello. :)

5. What annoys you more than anything?
Dirco: Jerk-faces and doofuses. Like...um...oh, Jzän, and Flame. And her guards. And my writer telling me what to do, obviously.

6. What is your worst experience?
Dirco: Being tortured by Jzän. ...Yeah, that's all I want to say about that. *rubs back absently with a grimace*

7. If you could meet anyone in the world, who would it be?
Dirco: Methuselah. Because dog-gone, that guy was so OLD. He had, like, ten generations worth of stories to tell! And I could have SO written them down!

8. Is 'Storyteller' your given name, or a pseudonym, or what?
Dirco: If you must know, Dirco Storyteller is my self-given title. It's like, King Ivérsid. Or Sir Lancelot. Dirco Storyteller.

9. Last question: What's is your opinion on the Sentinels (book and people)?
Dirco: Frankly, The Sentinels book scares me. I'm in my writer's head and the stuff she's throwing around is kinda freaking me out. So yeah, I'm not happy with it. Which is why I went puppet-mode at first. But now I'm over it and I'm kinda like, WHOA...I could actually like die and stuff. The Sentinels people are pretty okay, I guess. I hate Areul because he's a bigheaded fool, Theydr freaks me out with his 'coolheadedness', Wyl is...actually not that bad, and Zerrjjn is a bird, hello. Bird's aren't scary. Sorry. The only scary bird around here is Big Bird. *shudder*


Pinterest boards:
Dirco's character board
The Cycle of Time storyboard

Inside the Character: Alli

Soooooo...yeah, I knew the old post I put up yesterday was pretty lame. So I'm posting this character thingy. Because character thingies are fun.

Aren't my books, my characters, what makes me a writer? Not how obsessed I am with Batman...

;)

Well, I've decided to start monthly (maybe weekly, I don't know...) character posts. This week/month's post will be on the main main character of my biggest and bestest project, The Cycle of Time.


1. If your character was in a movie, what actor would play her?

Elle Fanning!!

2. Who is Alli's best friend?
Alli: Well, I have many friends, but I've known Dirco for as long as I can remember, and he really is my greatest friend. You tend to get the feeling that you really know someone when he can look at you in a certain way and you know exactly what he's thinking and why.

3. Who does Alli look up to more than anyone?
Alli: I know a lot of great people, but Eadën seems to me like someone worth looking up to.
Me: Care to elaborate?
Alli: Ummm...*blush* He's nice? In a weird kind of mean way...?
Me: ...Continue.

4. If you could save one thing in a fire, what would it be?
Alli: Hmmm...I don't know. *shyly* I don't really have much to save. I guess it'd be Dirco. He could sleep through anything...you did say the fire happened at night, right?
Me: What about your bows and arrows and weapons?
Alli: Oh, yeah. Those too.

5. What is your worst fear?
Alli: Getting caught by Flame. Dragons still scare me.
Frielend: Hey! I thought we were good friends, little one!
Alli: I like you, Free. It's just big, scary dragons I don't like.
Frielend: I am not a big scary dragon? *scaly pout*
Me: Get back in your cage, you filthy animal!!!

6. What do you enjoy most of all?
Alli: It used to be listening to Dirco tell stories, but—
Dirco: BUT?! YOU DON'T LIKE MY STORIES ANYMORE?!
Alli: Dirco, if you'd let me—
Dirco: Oh no! I get it! I'll just go tell my stories to...to...someone else! HEY VETTE!!
Me: DIRCO YOU LEAVE VETTE ALONE! SHE HAS TO RECUPERATE FROM ACCIDENTALLY FALLING FOR YOUR AWESOMENESS!! NOW GO HUSH!!!
Alli: ...Anyways, I like sword fighting.

7. Do you have any hidden talents?
Alli: Not really. I'm a simple person. Dirco's the one with hidden every things. And Eadën, too.
Me: Hey, at least she admits it...

8. What annoys you more than anything?
Alli: Umm...probably Dirco.
Dirco: So I'm your BFF, and I annoy you more than anything, too?
Alli: I spend a lot of time with you, okay?
Me: Hey, you two, stop using modern words and stuff! You're fantasy people. You say thy and thee and they.
Dirco: I've never said that before in my life.
Me: Hush up, Dirco. This is Alli's interview, not yours.
Dirco: :P

9. What are your life goals?
Alli: To help the land of Janíza rid itself of Jzän, and Milerax, and all it's spawn.
Me: That's more like it with the fantasy talking.
Alli: Thanks!

10. Do you have any dreams that you're afraid won't come true (i.e. love, family, etc.)?
Alli: *blushes* I'm really content with where I am right now. I don't need anything else.
Dirco: No true love? That's usually what girls want.
Alli: NO.
Dirco: Sorry... *ashamed*


Pinterest boards:
Alli's character board
The Cycle of Time storyboard

The Journey Publishing Update

The Journey is hereby tentatively scheduled to be released on October 27. (No I did not just make that date up.)

The Cycle of Time: The Journey

Health for sickness and life for death,

The Cycle of Time will never rest.

Around it goes without a breath

Will you pass its ceaseless test?

      Darkness is nearer than the land of Janíza knows. Fire Eye, the ruthless ruler, is weakening the cities, and before the people will be able to react, everything they know will vanish.

      Alli and Dirco, two orphans living in the slums of a secluded village, live in this time. Dirco's storytelling business is declining, and just as they begin to consider moving to another city, a stranger appears and hires them to travel with him, claiming he is interested in Dirco's stories.Things only become darker and stranger from there, as both Alli and Dirco are thrust into the midst of an ongoing war revolving around Dan, the hooded man.

      Now neck-deep in a battle that began far before either of them were born, Alli and Dirco struggle to survive as Dan drags them from one end of Janíza to the other. When she is suddenly forced to question everything she has ever known, will Alli have the strength to fight or will she hide forever in the small village of Geggon?

      The Cycle of Time has just begun. The tests have started. Before she knows what is happening, Alli is forced into a strange new world. If she and Dirco don't accept it, all will be lost.

Keep checking back for updates!!!

"The Sentinels" Sneak-Peek

Here is the newly-written poem to be placed at the beginning of The Cycle of Time: The Journey.
These poems are taken from the dwarven prophecy, called the Arkundl-Gra. Most people view this extensive poem as nothing but dwarven superstition, but small parts of it hold merit, such as the parts about time, light, and darkness.

Darkness fills the hearts of those

Whom the Cycle does dispose.

How they live one never knows;

Pray the evil fails to grow.

The Significance:

The Cycle of Time: The Sentinels involves much more about the dark side of Janíza and characters such as Eadën, Dirco, Alli, and Jzän. As they struggle through new threats and new fears, they find in themselves the evil that feeds Jzän and Milerax.

The first two lines refer to the Cycle, i.e. the Cycle of Time. Originally the Cycle of Time referred to the dwarven race's existence on the planet, but as time passed the name broadened to include time itself, and to a lesser extent the "path of light" (the paths taken by good-willed men). The next two lines include ominous references to darkness and evil; these signify the presence of black magic. Black magic grows on the land of Milerax, and it is said once one has contact with black magic, they are forever changed by the power it holds.

The Sentinels is full of temptations, fears, horrors, and new enemies. Will Alli, Dirco, and Eadën find enough light to overcome evil? Or will they become overtaken by the blackness within themselves?

The Journey "Unpublishing"

Upon inspecting The Cycle of Time: The Journey for the millionth time, I have decided...sniff sniff...to withdraw it from the market.

I am a perfectionist. I know that's good in some cases but sometimes I just really hate myself for it. This is one of those times. I am still not satisfied with the editing quality of my novel, and I will not stop until this book is the best it can be.

No worries, though! Since it is already near-perfect (in my opinion), it shouldn't take long to revise for the FINAL TIME (I swear it's the final time this time). I believe it will be available by the end of the summer.

Bear with me, readers! The Journey will be published by the end of the year, at MOST!

Plus, I just had a book breakdown with my brother, and he gave me some great material for The Sentinels. Thank you, bro! Now I am inspired. And I will go write that book.

Right after I finish this post.

It may possibly be the best of all four of the Cycle of Time series.

~Anastasia Cross

Random (and brief) Sentinels Update

Random (and brief) update on The Sentinels:

Linnea is currently crying.

Eadën is about to be threatened by a girl.

I'm on Chapter 5 out of probably 100.

I have reached 10,000 words. I am going to pass 11,000 today if it kills me.

I haven't gotten to any of the Sentinels yet.

But patience is a virtue I am willing to adopt.

Excerpt of The Cycle of Time: The Journey

In honor of the release of The Cycle of Time: The Journey, I am posting this excerpt of the book. Enjoy!

~Anastasia

Excerpt of ‘The Cycle of Time: The Journey’

Suddenly a loud sound reverberated through the air: flapping and the grunting breaths of a beast. Alli’s stomach lurched with each gruff gasp. Her hair was soaked now, sticking to her back, and the rain felt much too cold.

A splash sent the boat rocking, and then the breathing slowed. Small splashes shifted the raft, and a long, interminable silence made the blood drain from Alli’s face.

Hot, smoky breath enveloped her, and she screamed and spun around to face the fangs of a snarling dragon.

“Stay away from them!” Alli heard Eadën string an arrow with a twang.

The dragon moved away, and Alli scrambled to her feet, shaking so hard that the boat shuddered. She tripped over to Dirco and fell into his arms, heaving tearless sobs of fear. He tightened his arms around her, as if doing so would keep her safe.

The huge black dragon was turned, so that Alli could see its back. Three red striped colored its backside, and in a saddle sat a woman with glossy onyx hair.

Alli knew this was Jzän.

The dragon turned again, as if searching for something. It sighted Alli, bared its teeth, and then faced both boats. The woman, Jzän, climbed up the spines jutting from the beast’s vertebrae and onto its head. Her piercing, bloody eyes scanned them, then she laughed. Her laugh was smooth like cream, thick with a honey-sweetened undertone, yet sent jolts of terror down Alli’s backbone. Her hair stood on end.

“Ah,” Jzän giggled, “this is simply too rich. Stand up and let me see you all.” Isidar, Vette, and Oêni rose from the bottom of their boats. Jzän’s blazing eyes found Eadën, standing with his bow drawn, in an instant. Her face blanched as she stared at him. “Yes. Little brother. So you are alive.”

Eadën flushed, pulling the string to his bow tighter.

“Oh, don’t bother. You already tried that, remember? If I recall correctly...” Flame, the dragon, snorted out a blast of air, and Eadën’s ripped shirt opened to expose his scar. “You lost. Now put the bow down and let us talk like civilized elves. Or, in this case, humans.”

Eadën didn’t lower the bow. “What do you want, Jzän?”

“Only to talk. That’s all.” She smiled, and somehow she seemed not so scary. “I’ve missed you, little brother. So much.” She slid down her dragon’s snout and onto the boat. Isidar flattened himself against the mast to avoid being near her, but Vette stood her ground, her face stony but her body trembling. Without a word from Jzän’s mouth, the bow Eadën held dropped to the floor, even though he kept his fists tight. Magic again. She took his arms and spun him around a little. “Oh, you’ve grown so, Eadën. A fine man you have become, no doubt. Of course, I barely remember you when you fought me last. You know how I am about battles.”

“Yes, I know,” Eadën said between clenched teeth as he pulled his arms away. “Leave us be and no one gets hurt.”

Jzän clicked with her tongue. “Such petty threats.” She picked up his bow between her index finger and her thumb. “With this little toy? You know there is only one way to defeat me.” She waved her hand over his head, and several sparks landed upon his inky hair. “Magic.” She lifted his chin. How could Eadën look like such a little boy in her presence? “Or haven’t we been practicing, Eadën?”

Eadën jerked his head away. “Leave us be.”

“I’m afraid I can’t do that. You know as well as I do that there’s that aggravating little dwarven prophecy you seem to be trying to fulfill.” She laughed again, but much differently this time. She pointed at Alli and Dirco. “And with those whelps?”

Eadën’s face turned bright red. “What business is it of yours?” he shouted, shoving her arm down. “Besides, I’m not trying to fulfill any superstitious prophecies. I’m fulfilling orders!”

Jzän’s face darkened as she turned to Eadën, and suddenly she didn’t seem so big-sisterly. Her gaze drifted over his scarred chest, and she put a hand out as if to touch it. “You lived through this, Eadën. But I don’t expect you to make a miraculous recovery again.” A knife slid from her sleeve.

Eadën saw it and put his hand on his sword, his eyebrows low. “You wouldn’t try again. I have the same friends who helped me last time here with me now. What do you plan on doing to them?”

She smiled sweetly. “This.” With a jerk of her arm, she plunged the knife into Eadën’s stomach.