Anticipation and Obnoxious Fae Princes.

I wanted to have a good post planned for this week. Maybe some sketches of my characters, a few progress pictures of my ' The Greatest Showman' painting, a book review. Of course all that fell through, so another last minute slapdash post from me.

I've been busy, doing the last minute preparations for a 'Snow White' themed party I am planning for my friend, Elizabeth. We are going to find out if we lost or won 'The Five Poisoned Apples Contest' over fake champagne and candy apples.

It's been a nice distraction for me. Something to put all my nervous energy into. I can't wait to show you guys after it's done.

I was trying to be hopeful, hope is a good thing to have. It's a hard thing to keep a hold of. I'm convinced my story strayed too far from the source material. Or just wasn't what they were looking for. If that does end up being the case I want to be okay with that. I want to still be proud of my story.

It turned out better than I expected. I got amazing feedback, I got some helpful critiques, and another world that I can easily expanded. It wasn't a waste of time either way. I also got my boys! Two irritating fae princes who are polar opposites in every way. Chayse is a shape shifting cat fae, Cynfael is a rich, ego maniac. All of the late nights were worth it simply for them.

I've been writing Cynfael's story lately. I haven't gotten that far in it but I thought I  would share what I have. This is unedited, first draft stuff, go easy.


 Smoke filled the air, and my lungs. A slow poison I chose to indulge, among a few other vices. I blew it out, watching it fill the small space between my father and I. He waved a hand through it, irritation spreading across his face.

I kept smoking, making direct eye contact as I did, to show I cared as little about his comfort as he cared about mine. His eyes steeled. He said nothing, turning his attention instead to the moving landscape outside the car window. There wasn’t much to see, just shadow coated fields, and red light from the fire in the distance.

Chayse was burning his prison down. I envied him, the fact that he could simply burn away his mother’s entanglements, reducing an empire to ashes as if it had been built of paper. If only mine were as easy to burn. I could feel the necklace hidden away in my coat pocket. The blood coated pearls could buy my freedom. I couldn’t run, I would have to settle for retribution.

“She is dead then.” Father’s words were cold and calculating. Free from the slur he had, when he was playing the drunken fool. 

I nodded; the blazing fire was confirmation enough.

He poured himself some scotch, “That bodes well for our business.”

Which just meant more money in his overflowing coffers; I took a long drag, and flicked ash to the ground.

He stared at the ash.

“Whatever will you buy? A small country perhaps,” I crushed out my cigarette, “Oh wait…”

He took a slow sip of the amber liquid.  “Don’t be short-sighted; I’m not looking for more money for your mother and Isabelle to fetter away.” He looked at his cup, “I plan to fund a war.” He slid a round cube of ice into his cup.

I blew more smoke, “A war with whom?” This was the first I heard of it.

“If your Mother has her way, the bloody world,” A thick cough punctuated his words. 

Beautiful Books 2017

I was going to skip this one, because I'm not doing Nano. It gives me an excuse to talk about my Snow White retelling, so I thought why not.

 Beautiful books is one of my favorite link ups created by the ever fabulous duo Cait and Sky

On to the lovely questions.

1. What inspired the idea for your novel, and how long have you had the idea?

I created this for the Roogle Wood Press contest, so it was inspired by Snow White, and I have had the idea when the contest was announced, so sometime in June.

2. Describe what your novel is about!

It's about Snow, who is a circus clown in a fae ran circus. She wants to become a trapeze in order to eventually leave. She finds herself wanted by an evil queen and caught up in a deadly game with two enigmatic fae Princes.

3.What is your book’s aesthetic? Use words or photos or whatever you like!

Dark, grungy, with a wee bit of fantasy. I have a pinterest board for it  Falling Snow

4. Introduce us to each of your characters!

Snow- Tenacious and tough, was raised by a bunch of circus midgets and has never been handed anything in life.

The Queen/Madame

Beautiful and powerful, owns the circus and her workers. A fae queen, one should never trifle with. Doesn't mind getting her hands dirty.

  Chayse/Huntsman- The Queen's son, lion tamer, and fire dancer. Also some sort of were-cat, an enigma at it's finest.

Cynfael/ Prince Charming- A northern fae Prince with questionable motives and morals.

 Midgets/ dwarves

Moe, Lenny, Ted, Sean, Ben, also two unnamed ones who may or may not be included. A bunch of chain smoking, cursing circus clowns.

5. How do you prepare to write? (Outline, research, stocking up on chocolate, howling, etc.?)

Wallow in self doubt and pity for a couple hours, then type until I have to stop for a snack break which is every five minutes.

6.What are you most looking forward to about this novel?

The contest feedback and my readers feedback, as for writing it probably the end.

7. List 3 things about your novel’s setting.

Bleak

Bloody

Hostile

8. What’s your character’s goal and who (or what) stands in the way?


 Snow's goal is just to find a better life, that changes towards the middle to just staying alive.

 9. How does your protagonist change by the end of the novel?

Her whole life is turned upside down, and she sees the world in a different light.

10. What are your book’s themes? How do you want readers to feel when the story is over?

wistful and hopeful. The only theme is probably overcoming fear, and fighting back.


Well hope somebody enjoyed this.

Beautiful People # 27

Welcome back, it is once again time for my favorite link up thing. It's hosted by the lovable Cait and Sky

I had a perfect choice for this month, and it's...

(drum roll)

 Chayse, who I have had described as a fire dancer boy, thanks Maddie

He is from 'Falling Snow' which is my Snow White retelling for the Roogle Wood Press contest

Here is the link to the pinterest board for it  Falling Snow

For clarity's sake my version is set in a fantastical version of a 1940's ish circus.


This is Chayse, minus the nose ring but details.

1. What are you addicted to/can’t live without? 

My jacket, which is a well worn monstrosity and my cats.

His "cats" to clarify are tigers and lions.

So.




2. Name 3 positive and 3 negative qualities about yourself.

This is a terrible question. I can't think of anything positive

weak

disreputable

pushover

 He has a lovely singing voice.

Shut up!

3. Are you holding onto something  you should get rid of?

My mother *cough* I mean bitterness.




4.  If 10 is completely organized and 1 is completely messy, where do you fall on the scale?

I really don't give a flying-

Well, that answers that. I would put that down as a one.


5.  What most frustrates you about the world you live in?

The hierarchy and misuse of power. 



6.   How would you dress for a night out? How would  you dress for a night in?

Like a hobo.

I happen to think it's nice.

He will wear his ratty, yet well made coat. Paired with his usual shirt, pants, and boots. He puts a lot of effort into his effortless look. As for going out his mother has made him wear all kinds of things, so something lavish. 

I am a man of many sides.

Ha!


7.How many shoes do you own, and what kind?

One pair of falling apart boots.

One long lasting pair of boots.


8.  Do you  have any pets? What pet do you WISH you had?

My cats

His beasts, no normal person has those kind of pets. 


9. Is there something or someone that you resent? Why and what happened?

*cough* Mother and Prince Trillion, simply because he annoys me.

*cough* Mommy issues 


10.  What’s usually in your fridge or pantry?

He has an insatiable sweet tooth.

Sweets and raw meat

Eww!

The meat is for the cats.


  

 
I spent almost two hours sorting through blonde models and actors. I had to sit there and look at wildly attractive dudes for this post. I hope you guys know the sacrifices I make for you.

Also if you read this and thought omigoodness I need this story in my life. You can beta it if you want, just tell me in the comments. So far I have sent off the first two chapters.