#FirstLineFriday is the end-of-a-week posting of the first line (or two) of a published story, potential story, or a work in progress. It’s a great way to get feedback on your work… or to stalk other writers and see what they’re doing. Whichever 🙂 Leave a link to your blog in the comments or on Rami Ungar’s, who started this super nifty concept.
This comes from the fourth chapter of Crusade Across Worlds, the fourth book in the Arizal Wars Series, releasing this June.
“They’re going to be all over you with questions. Just so you know.”
“I know.”
Reid stops us at the edge of the bridge and leans against its wooden banister. He brings my hand to his mouth, brushing his lips over my fingers, teasing a kiss. “I don’t want to give you back yet.”
If you don’t know who Reid is or why he has to give the narrator back, you should catch up. You can get the first book for FREE on Smashwords here.
(The following takes place before the start of Escape from Harrizel. Note – it has not been professionally edited, nor beta-read, but most definitely filled with love for the characters and story. Enjoy!)
***
TUCKER’S NEW ROLE
Tucker walked back to his room.
Rogue Leader.
He couldn’t believe the title—the responsibility—now belonged to him. Never in a million years would he have thought this would be the outcome. Rox stepping back? Him stepping in? No way. No way was this ever supposed to happen. He’d only gone over to check up on the guy. It’s not every day your best friend finds his girl fucking another dude. Under normal circumstances, that would merit a night out with drinks. Lots of drinks. And lots of strippers. But they were on Harrizel, and Tucker couldn’t offer Rox any more than a listening ear and some sage advice.
Fuck her.
Forget her.
Move on.
It might take a while, but Rox would eventually get past Ansley. Tucker always suspected the Rogue Leader’s feelings to be lukewarm at best.
Still.
The humiliation was what the Kings planned. It was exactly what they wanted to see happen: the head of their rival Clan crippled with hurt and embarrassment, so much that he couldn’t lead, so much that everything would fall apart beneath him. Loss of pride will do that to a guy.
But this? A hiatus?
Tucker ran a hand through his dark hair. Rogue Leader. Every Client reporting to every Scout, reporting to every Rogue, reporting to every RC, reporting to him? Could he even handle the role? Was someone like him even capable of maintaining that kind of order? But it wasn’t like he was new to the responsibility. Rox had been passing orders onto Tucker to delegate for a while. Rox was still Rogue Leader, but Tucker was second in command. The right wing. The go-to should anything happen to the Big Boss. But now he’d be the head honcho. They wouldn’t be addressing Rox as Rogue Leader—they’d be addressing him with the title.
Tucker sighed at the blonde boy waiting by his door.
Only the RCs—Rogue Commanders—could know before Rox made the official announcement. Sometimes Jace annoyed the hell out of him, but right then, the new Rogue Leader couldn’t think of a person he’d rather share the news with.
“How’s our boy?” The Recruitment Commander asked, genuine concern pulling at his smiling features.
Tucker punched in different symbols on his door and it flew back, into his room. He motioned inside and Jace followed. As his guest made himself comfortable, Tucker closed the door. Turning, he folded his arms over his chest and let out a breath. Once he said it, there was no going back. Rox would be out of the role and Tucker… Tucker would be in charge.
“He wants me to be Rogue Leader.”
The smile dropped from Jace’s face. “You’re kidding.”
No answer.
Confusion pinched the blonde boy’s brows. He opened his mouth and then closed it again, a million thoughts crashing into one another. “But, but he—”
“He told me himself.”
“Because of Ansley?”
“Because of Ansley,” Tucker nodded, his eyes narrowing into a glare. “And that fucktard Walker.”
“He can’t be serious. I mean, come on—Rox not lead the Rogues?” He chuckled nervously. “It’s insane. No offense to you but he’s… he’s Rox. He’s—”
“I know.”
“He’s not thinking clearly.” Jace shook his head, denial in every motion. Running his fingers through his short yellow locks, ideas bounced behind his anxious eyes. “We’ll help him. We’ll get him some new tail and he’ll—”
“Pretty sure he’s sworn it off,” Tucker stared. “For good.”
Jace lowered his brow to his palms. Silence stretched between them, tangible and intense. It wasn’t like the blonde RC to keep this quiet. Normally he was the first to throw out a joke, even in the tensest of situations. But this—Rox taking a hiatus from the Rogues—there was nothing funny about it. And if this was how Jace was reacting, Tucker had a pretty good idea how the rest of it might go.
After a long moment, Jace lifted his head. “Then this is for real?”
The new Rogue Leader nodded.
“So what does it mean?”
What did it mean? It was the one thing Tucker had been trying to figure out since Rox told him the news. And even as he was explaining his decision—how it wouldn’t affect the new Rogue Leader the way he thought it might—Tucker had the same question playing on repeat. Not just for himself and his duty to the Rogues. But to the entire market. To their whole way of life.
What did it mean that the leader of the Rogues was stepping back?
Tucker let out the breath he’d been holding. He didn’t want to admit to it, but Jace asked the question, which meant the others would as well. And as the new Rogue Leader, it was up to Tucker to provide the answer. It’d be on him now.
For the foreseeable future… all of it would be on him.
“It means the Kings succeeded,” his mouth tightened. “And that’s something I’m never going to let happen again.”
***
Now, if I was allowed to cast this character, I would choose Bob Morley.
Ahem:
What do you think? Who would you cast to play the new Rogue Leader? And are there any scenes from the first book that you’d like to see?
Escape from Harrizel is the first book in the Arizal Wars series. Crusade Across Worlds releases June 1st 2016!
#FirstLineFriday is the end-of-a-week posting of the first line (or two) of a published story, potential story, or a work in progress. It’s a great way to get feedback on your work… or to stalk other writers and see what they’re doing. Whichever 🙂 Leave a link to your blog in the comments or on Rami Ungar’s, who started this super nifty concept.
This comes from the third chapter of Crusade Across Worlds, the fourth book in the Arizal Wars Series, releasing this June.
“This is your final test, Fallon. Once you pass, you will be allowed to return and assist the Arizals in preparation of Reuzkimpart’s invasion.
I tug the blindfold tighter.”
If you don’t know who the Arizals are or what Reuzimpart’s invasion is, you should catch up. You can get the first book for FREE on Smashwords here.
#FirstLineFriday is the end-of-a-week posting of the first line (or two) of a published story, potential story, or a work in progress. It’s a great way to get feedback on your work… or to stalk other writers and see what they’re doing. Whichever 🙂 Leave a link to your blog in the comments or on Rami Ungar’s, who started this super nifty concept.
This comes from the first chapter of Crusade Across Worlds, the fourth book in the Arizal Wars Series, releasing this June.
“I can smell them.
Horrops have that odor—dirt mixed with something sour and stale. Like too much raw meat. Or death.”
If you don’t know what a Horrop is, you should catch up. You can get the first book for FREE on Smashwords here.
I know this is a blog hop. I get how this works (it only took me a couple of months of stalking IWSG to figure it out) but now I need some help. Your help.
I’m releasing the fourth book in my series in June.
*ECSTATIC HAPPY DANCE ENSUES*
…and I actually need to market this time.
*stops dancing*
*hangs head*
*ugly sobs*
It’s cliché at this point in the industry to say I have NO idea what I’m doing. But I’ve picked up a few things and I know—I KNOW—I should probably do a new-release blog hop. I’m just kind of confused on how. How do I set this thing up? Do I contact each individual blogger I want to be featured on? Do I put out an announcement or blog about it here? Do I tip the man with the magic beans or kidnap a student on their way to Hogwarts? How?? How do I do this?
When you’ve released your book with a blog hop, how did you go about it? How far in advance did you set up the author interviews / guest posts/ other things I don’t even know exist? And did you do it differently if there were previous books in the series? I am completely and *utterly* lost and barely being able to operate a computer (let alone this blog), any help/advice/drink recipes would be greatly appreciated. 🙂
The first Wednesday of every month is Insecure Writers Support Group! It’s a place for writers of all stages to get together and express their fear, doubts and worries, and also to encourage, inspire and befriend 🙂 If you’re interested in not suffering through it alone anymore, I’d suggest checking us out here.
*Compliments to Alex Cavanaugh who started this awesomeness!
One of the things I learned at the greatest events this year—the Writer’s Digest Conference—was to immerse myself more in the community. You. The readers. The writers. This is not something I’m good at, as I like to sit down, write a tad, close up shop and join Batman on the couch to end the day in someone else’s creativity. The Big Bang is always a favorite of mine. I’ve recently started watching Kevin from Work and—if I’m to be honest—binge watching The Walking Dead to get ready for tomorrows premier of Fear the Walking Dead.
*giggles in excitement*
Anyway, out of all the amazing things I took away from the conference, the biggest was to join the community more. To be more of a… presence online. Like, you know, posting more than once a month. And actually communicating with other writers, which I thought I was doing, but apparently I’m not. SO I’m trying to get out of this introverted cage I’ve lived in and actually –gasp!—talk to other people. I’m glad to say I’ve done my first beta-read. Yup. That’s right. Only one. I’ve been writing all this time and have only recently completed a first full-length beta read by a very talented writer who in my opinion, is ready for bookshelves. For all you non-writers, beta-reading is exactly what it sounds like—a sort of test or ‘pre-read’ for books so readers can identify plot holes, weak character development, anything that might need a fix before the book goes out to a wider audience. Have I had my books beta-read this whole time? Of course not. That would require me to do things in the logical, correct format and that never seems to be my strong suit. (Breaking a window to get into the house before using a neighbor’s phone? You get the point.)
But I’m trying. Making the effort. Really jumping outside this circle of safety that has kept me secure, but bored these last 29 years. I’ve also asked people to beta-read my work—double gasp. Because, then people would, like, actually read it and stuff. But I’m doing it! Drink in hand, by God I’m doing it! So hurray for little achievements and big achievements and achievements of all sizes and colors and shapes and smells and all that good stuff.
Lastly—and I think this is the most exciting part—I’m excited about the whole writing thing in general and where I’ve decided to take it. Which is everywhere. For those of you who know about the three books in my planned five-book series, Arizal Wars, (and have possibly read them) you’ll notice the hiatus I’ve taken as I said I’d have the fourth one out this year. It may still happen… may not. All depends if the money fairy makes a visit. And that bitch has been on a long holiday. But (and please be advised, I am still working on it) I’m also experimenting a little more. Trying my hand at horror and YA and paranormal and pretty much everything I can think of. Even fanfic. And believe me, no one thought this was more out of the realm of possibility than I did. Because, why write scenes from other people’s stories when you can write your own? But it’s apparently a big thing now and since I’m in the mindset of ‘and why shouldn’t I?’ I’m giving it a go. It’s Peter Pan fanfic and I’m putting it on wattpad like my other stuff. If it gets no bites, so be it. I think this is more for me than for you, but if you like it and want to read it, go for it. I won’t stop you 🙂
So, with all that said in this long-ass blog, any writers out there looking for beta swaps, I’m all in. For the rest of you, happy Saturday, enjoy today and I love you. Not in a ‘remember that time we were so wasted—thanks for holding my hair,’ kind of way. But in a person to person way. I love you. Believe in yourself. Love yourself. And the rest will follow.
***P.S. I’m going to start reviewing books. There are just *so* many good (and bad) ones out there and I can’t help but think I’m not doing my part in singing their praises. You want a great book to read and that author deserves recognition. It’s a win-win.
I’ve been going back and forth on it for a while. Mostly because I wasn’t sure that I could, which, taking a step back, I realized was simply fear. It’s not that I couldn’t do it. It’s that I was afraid of doing it. And what’s there to be afraid of? Not being funded? Okay, well that leaves me with no money, just like now. So, failing at Kickstarter means being in the same place. But succeeding would bring a change. Possibility. And hopefully funds, which is what I need to get Escape in paperback and Crusade in ebook. I’m really excited guys. I’ve been meaning to advertise but then I get bogged down with the whole writing thing. Most nights when I open my laptop, I think, “I’m going to research marketing. I’m going to look at Goodreads advertising and study my self-publishing sites and figure out what to do next!” But then I reread what I wrote the night before and a better sentence forms or a new idea pops in my head. “I really should say it this way. And I didn’t do a great job at describing XYZ…” I think it’ll be a quick edit and then forty minutes later, I’m working on the manuscript when I should’ve been learning how to sell it. But what can I say? I have a compulsion.
So Batman asked me what my plan was. He wants to get to the Castle-Mansion already and spend his days golfing and fixing me gourmet meals that can ONLY be cooked in a gourmet kitchen, apparently. Uh-huh. And, an avid South Park viewer, he mentioned Kickstarter. If the four Colorado kids could raise some ridiculous amount of money by claiming the name “Red Skins,” why couldn’t I reach a plausible goal of $3,000.00?
BECAUSE BOOKS AREN’T FUNDED ON KICKSTARTER, BATMAN.
…Or so I thought.
Apparently they can be funded. And loads of them are. And I mean LOADS.
After some research on work breaks and lunches, and an occasional evening when I opted not to open that Microsoft word doc, I discovered you CAN fund a book. And I have three of them. So what am I waiting for?
NOTHING.
I’m planning a sixty day period from the beginning of February through the end of March (you know, when people get money back from overpaying the government) and I’m thinking my goal will be $3,000.00. Maybe $3,500.00.
As excited as I am about my real first stab at advertising and the campaign in general, I’m *really* excited about the Backer Rewards:
ANYONE who contributes will have their name listed in the final print version under a KickStarter Acknowledgements Page. I’ll be doing three designs of shirts, an Honorary Rogue Certificate (signed by Rox) to those who pledge $50.00 (Rogue Backer Reward), note cards, extra scenes, questions to the characters…. Lots of stuff!
I’m really excited. I’m excited for you, I’m excited for me, and I’m excited for the few fans out there because I can’t wait for you guys to see what’s to come.
(Hint—it’s going to be awesome!)
Stay tuned for more information or shoot me an email if you have a question.
And yes, you can come to the Castle-Mansion for a swim in the llama-shaped pool.
No, not Labor Day, although that did sneak up on us, didn’t it? I SWEAR it was Christmas only yesterday.
I’m getting old.
But actually it’s the time for another book release. Hurray! For all you (any of you) fans out there, the third installment in the Arizal Wars series, Discovery at Nerwolix, is now available for purchase. It picks up right where POM ended with Fallon and the others arriving on the tundra ice-planet Larupip, all anxiously waiting to meet Blovid, the last Arizal Leader of Dellapalania. I will say that so far, DAN is my favorite. Favorite. The war is approaching, history (and secrets) are unraveling, and Fallon and Reid are still exploring the depths of their relationship—all things I’m very excited about! At this point, I feel like I’m with my family when I’m writing these characters. I hope you feel like you’re part of it when you’re reading them.
I appreciate any reviews (on blogs, Goodreads, Amazon, your neighbor) that you’re willing to share. Reviews build an audience and as we’re still at the kick-start of campaigning this series, every (and any) little bit helps. So tell your friends, your parents, your arch nemesis and even your pet rock Bob. I’m open for questions AND looking to write some different POV scenes. I know what I’m interested in… but what about you? What scene would you like to see from someone else’s perspective?
Thank you again for taking an interest in Arizal Wars!
