Writing – Page 2 – Cindy Young-Turner

Thief of Hope holiday sale and book 2 teaser

It’s hard to believe the holidays are almost upon us! Like many, I’m ready to be done with 2016 and move on to 2017. It has been a year.

Are you looking for a last-minute gift idea? Books make great gifts! All this week Thief of Hope is on sale for Kindle on Amazon. The prequel, Journey to Hope, will be free 12/20-12/24. If you don’t have your copy yet, now is the time! Here are the links:

Thief of Hope for Kindle

Journey to Hope for Kindle

And just an update that I’m still hard at work on book 2 in the series. I’m looking forward to getting in some writing time during my upcoming days off over the holidays. Here’s a brief excerpt and stay tuned for more updates on progress!

Excerpt from Thief of Destiny:

“Now I’m going to play an ancient tune,” Tam announced to the crowd. He turned in Sydney’s direction and gave her a wink, seeming to ignore Llyr. “I doubt you’ll hear the like of it again in this world.”

This time he sang in words Sydney couldn’t understand. Even though she didn’t know their meaning, she felt the longing and the sadness evoked by the lyrical words. In an instant, her mind was transported to the field of red and purple flowers in the realm of the Tuatha, and she could almost see the blue sky above and feel the sun on her face.

“How dare he,” Llyr hissed. He grabbed her hand so tightly it hurt, breaking the spell Tam had cast with his song. “He has no right to such knowledge!”

The song ended. For a moment the audience was silent, and then a thunderous applause filled the tavern. Tam gave a little bow, directed toward Llyr.

“Don’t,” Sydney whispered, pulling on Llyr’s arm to keep him in his seat. It was clear that the song was from the Tuatha and she wondered if a song could have magic. “We’ll talk to him afterward, all right?”

Llyr took a deep breath and gave her a nod.

After that Tam shifted the tone and played a few raucous, bawdy songs, apparently favorites of the crowd. His last set shifted again to a series of tunes that, to Sydney, sounded like veiled threats against an unnamed king and the nobility.

Surely these tunes weren’t about Willem, but when she heard the words “Bastard King” she had a sinking feeling that they were.

Flash fiction challenge winner

I’m excited to announce that I have the winning entry to this week’s Flash Fiction Challenge at Indies Unlimited! Check out their post for the photo prompt: http://www.indiesunlimited.com/2016/11/05/cindy-young-turner-wins-flash-fiction-challenge/

And here’s my flash fiction piece:

Solo

(originally posted at Indies Unlimited)

First mate’s log, the former Trident

Day 1 adrift. I spot a ship in the distance but I do not think they can see me. Time runs short. Those deadly, spiteful creatures continue to torment me.

Day 2 adrift. The ship is closer but they still cannot see me. The white devils surround me now. If you read these words, I beg you not to be deceived by them. The white dolphins. Captain said they were good luck when we spotted them leaping near the ship’s bow. They seemed to like it when the cabin boy played his drum.

Day 3 adrift. I fear this will be my last day. The ship is still too far away and my voice only croaks out a call for help. The dolphins circle closer. I thought I glimpsed a drum around the neck of one of them. I keep imagining those last hours on deck, the white beasts flinging themselves at the ship, ramming holes and leaping so high they tore down the mast. The screams of my shipmates as they were flung into the sea and the red waters churning about me as I clung to a piece of wreckage. Their teeth gleam in the night.

First mate’s log, the Pequod

Found the wreckage of the Trident. The lone survivor died not long after we pulled him on board. Something about the white devils. Ahab is certain he meant the white whale. Have only spotted a pod of white dolphins.

Writing challenge

I am determined to finish and publish Thief of Destiny this year. That’s 2016, for the record. So I am going to open myself up to public accountability, since personal accountability is only getting me so far. I have been making progress, but not nearly as much as I would like. A good writer friend plans to finish her current novel by August (it’s embarrassing to note how many books she’s written while I’ve been working on my one book!) and she has thrown down the gauntlet. It’s a bit scary since August is not that far away and I estimate I’m about halfway through the book, maybe a little more. But I am going to accept the challenge! I will try to post a weekly update. Nothing like public shame to spur me into writing more, I hope!

Wish me luck. Maybe I can get my next book out before George R.R. Martin does!

Tuesday teaser

Writing on book 2 is progressing! I’m really happy with where the story is taking me now, and feedback from my critique groups has been good. Here’s a brief teaser, with the caveat that it’s still a work in progress and this may not resemble the final version. Enjoy!

Excerpt from Thief of Destiny:

Tam cut a hunk of meat and handed the knife to Sydney. “Can’t believe I’ve spent all these years trying to hide from the faery folk, and this is how I end up, waiting for them to find us.”

“No one said you had to stay.”

He held her gaze a moment. “You said you’ve seen my sister. Until I get some answers, you’re stuck with me.” And with his typical smirk, he added, “As much as it might pain you to be in the company of someone who believes in the Guild.”

She snatched the knife from his hand. “You’re a fool if you think the Guild really cares about people like us.”

“People like us? Whose line is that you’re spouting, the Bastard King’s? You think a few pretty words can change how the nobles have always treated us? Or maybe it’s because you’re one of them yourself.” He gave her a mocking bow. “You are the child of nobility, after all.”

“Edgar lost everything to the Guild,” she said in a low voice, trying to control her anger, lest it draw out the Shadow Folk. “They destroyed his life and they almost destroyed mine, not to mention countless others. The same people they’d promised to support.”

“And the nobles have been oppressing the peasants for generations. Do you really think they’re going to change?”

“The Guild can’t take back what they’ve done.”

“So round and round we go. Nothing will ever change with that thinking. Better to carry on the family tradition of hating the Guild than to do something productive with your life.”

She glared at him. “I have been productive. In ways that don’t involve starting tavern brawls.”

“I admit, it’s a gift to be able to play music that inspires a riot.”

Flash fiction: Form of a lizard

A couple weeks ago I did another Flash Fiction Challenge at Indies Unlimited. Here’s the prompt and my story follows. Enjoy!

Form of a Lizard

Lizard Man took a deep breath. This was going to be their year. They’d finally win the superhero competition and the grand prize—a fully outfitted secret hideout. All of the A-listers had one. He and Turtle Boy still shared basement space in his parents’ house. It was humiliating.

“I won’t let you down, Turtle Boy.” He transformed and scuttled underneath the door. Once inside, the Crystal was easy to spot. It sat on a lighted dais in the center of the room. Lizard Man did his happy dance. All he needed to do was shrink the crystal with his shrink ray (last year’s fourth place prize), slip back under the door, and then he and Turtle Boy would return to the judging room victorious.

“Let’s see who likes second place this year, Scorpion King!” he shouted, thinking of his arch nemesis who was always faster, smarter, deadlier, and well, had a snazzier costume. “And that goes for you, too, Rat Girl and Super Rabbit! Me and Turtle Boy, we’re moving up this time!”

A sound caught his attention. Was that…? “No, it can’t be! How did you get in here?”

Calico Cat smoothed her whiskers and purred triumphantly. “You’re not the only one who can get into tight spaces. You’re a joke, Lizard Man. And that spandex is so dated.”

Her cat boomerang pinned him to the wall. Maybe we’ll redecorate the basement, Lizard Man thought dejectedly. But next year they’d win for sure.