Thief of Destiny – Cindy Young-Turner

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.”

Sunday snippet

Happy spring and happy Easter to those who celebrate! It is finally starting to feel like spring around here. The trees are getting close to blooming and today the sun is shining and I have the windows open. Plus I am finally getting back to writing after what seems like a long hiatus. Here is a brief snippet from Thief of Destiny, the currently in-progress sequel to Thief of Hope. And since I’m still writing it, take this with a grain of salt because who knows what the final version might look like. Enjoy!

Thief of Destiny snippet:

Sydney leaned forward. “But it’s not over. The Guild is still out there. This is more important than me or Last Hope. It’s the future of the whole kingdom. Willem’s fighting for a better life for all of us. I have to help him if I can.”

“What is it you believe in, Syd? What he’s fighting for or what he’s fighting against?” Anaria paused to take a long swallow from her tankard. “Willem seems like a decent man. I’ll give him that. But when all’s said and done, if he defeats the Guild, he’ll be our king. Don’t expect our lives to change that much. The nobles ain’t much better than the Guild. Or how about them rich bastards like Gavin who think they own this town?”

“Willem is different,” Sydney insisted. “You just said so. You met him yourself.”

“He’s a decent man is what I said. Maybe he’ll be a good king—I expect he will, but he’ll still be a king. You and me, we’ll still be who we are.” Anaria reached for Sydney’s hand. “Don’t matter how much you fight for him. Some things you can’t change.”

Sydney looked away. She had wondered about those things herself. Willem had said he wanted to improve the lives of the commoners, but could he really accomplish that? She had to believe it was possible. Willem made her believe it was possible.

Teaser Tuesday

Now that Thief of Hope is back out in the world once more, I can finally get back to finishing book 2 in the series. I’m thinking I will do a regular posting of some teasers to let you know what’s coming. Be warned, though, the book is still in progress and whatever I post here is by no means final!

Thief of Destiny teaser:

“You have no idea how dangerous they can be.” Tam’s voice returned to a whisper. “They’d control me if they could. I know who you really are, Sydney. I know what you are. We are alike, you and I.” He leaned across the table. “The shadows. You’ve seen them, haven’t you? They haunt your nights and your days.”

The room suddenly grew cold. A dozen questions flashed through her mind. “What do you mean, we’re alike? Have you seen the Shadow Folk?”

“All the time. If we don’t—” He stopped and stared at the marble in her hand, then stood abruptly. “I can hear them. They’re watching you, just like I warned you. It’s not safe for me to linger here. Remember what I said. Beware the faery folk. They will destroy you if you’re not careful.”

The Next Big Thing

The Next Big Thing is an author interview series currently generating lots of buzz for its inside look into how writers, working in a variety of genres, create their best work. Special thanks to Alan Zendell who invited me to participate and provided the questions. Take a look at Alan’s interview about his book, The Portal.

And now, it’s my turn to be The Next Big Thing!

1. What is the working title of your book?

I was initially going to write about Thief of Hope, but I also want to mention Thief of Destiny, which is the sequel and currently in progress. It’s a two for one interview deal!

2. What genre does your book fall under?

This is a fantasy series.

3. What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A pickpocket becomes entangled with the commoners’ fight against an oppressive society, a would-be king’s bid for the throne, and the strange and dangerous magic of the faery folk.

4. Where did the idea come from for the book?

Well, Sydney, the heroine, was inspired by a D&D character. Yes, I played D&D in college. I’m a geek and proud of it. But as I wrote the story, the characters evolved and took on a life of their own. The more I rewrote the book, the more it evolved.

I knew there’d be a sequel because even though Thief of Hope is somewhat self-contained and that particular arc of the story has an ending, there was still more to tell. Thief of Destiny expands the scope of the story quite a bit. Sydney leaves her comfort zone and learns things that shake the foundation of what she believes. Plus there’s an additional plotline of Willem’s fight to win the throne and his challenges. There are some interesting new characters plus some old favorites return as well.

5. Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I have no idea. I don’t know any actors who are the right ages. When Peter Jackson finishes with The Hobbit and is looking for his next project, he’s welcome to cast a bunch of unknowns. I have a friend who has offered to play a barmaid, though. I’m sure I can find a role for her.

6. Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

Thief of Hope was published by Crescent Moon Press. I’m hoping they will also publish the sequel once it’s finished.

7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of the manuscript?

I’m embarrassed to say. Years and years. I’m crossing my fingers that Thief of Destiny moves along quicker. My goal is to have it finished by fall of this year. I’m about halfway through now.

8. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

I’ve had a couple people tell me it reminded them of Brandon Sanderson’s Mistborn because there are some similarities between Vin in Mistborn and Sydney (they share a thief/street urchin background), but otherwise the stories are completely different. I recently read Mistborn and loved it, and am very flattered by any comparison with it. When I tell people I write fantasy I usually say, you know, like Lord of the Rings or Harry Potter, but my book isn’t like either of those at all.

9. Who or what inspired you to write this book?

If anything, I’ve been inspired by people who are willing to fight for justice and freedom and follow their beliefs, no matter what the cost.

10. What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

Even though my books are fantasy and set in a made-up world with some magic, my characters are real and flawed and sometimes make bad choices. I think that makes them believable and I hope the reader will want to follow their stories.

Coming Up On Next Big Thing! Nancy Griffis is a dear friend and fellow author who has published a number of novels and short stories. Check out her blog to find out what she has to say about her books: http://www.nancygriffis.wordpress.com.