manipulated images from pixabay
A peek at the start of my WIP.
Darkest Night.
The ironwood pier below Mur-Vallis pointed like a sooty finger over the Blackwater’s swirling luminescence. Wraiths of fog pirouetted across the surface, trailing veils of white lace. Raker lounged against the piling where he’d tethered his boat, keeping an idle eye out for thieves. Not that anyone would bother his craft this night, not with finer prizes left unattended. Well-rigged riverboats and ferries floated at the wharf, thunking and clinking above the current’s hushed whispers.
With a bone-handled knife, he whittled splinters from a wood waterdragon no larger than his thumb. The solitude suited him, removed from the chaos of the warrens that crowded the dingy expanse below the city’s lowest tier. The welcome there was cold anyway, harsh enough to get a half-blood gutted. His slanted eyes, blue as rime, and three-fingered hands gave his heritage away.
The three pylons supporting Mur-Vallis soared into the vast night sky. Their lighted tiers lay open like petals on an alien flower, soft-edged and overlapping, the upper layers diminishing in size while increasing in opulence.
Or so he’d heard. No one he knew had climbed higher than the first tier, and only for a hanging.
Myths of the Mirror 
Popped over from “Kadan”. I LOVE this!
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Thanks!!!! These books are getting close 😀 I’m in all out editing mode now. Thanks for taking the time to read.
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[…] Rose Shield is my current WIP. A month ago, I introduced Raker (Here). He’s half mad, but has sparks of unexpected wisdom if you can get over the fact that he […]
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Thank you so much for providing the links in your November 1 post to the characters in your book Diana. This makes it so easy to know where to begin and get caught up to speed.
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Thanks for reading, Steph. They aren’t really in any order, just little snippets that introduce the characters and the books. I’m so glad you enjoyed them! Have a wonderful day. ❤
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Oh my goodness, I’m hooked. 💞
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Ha ha. You’re so funny. Thanks bunches ❤
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You’re welcome. But I must warn you I don’t do so well with cliff hangers. I thought The Walking Dead was gonna push me over the edge earlier in the year but after the season’s premier I think I’m done with this series. I can’t believe I got into zombies anyway, the horror genre I tired of years ago. I’ll have to check out your other books though until these one come out. Are any of them audible? I can read Kindle versions but since I’ve made the switch to audio version I really enjoy listening to books.
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I almost gave up on The Walking Dead too after the season premier. It was too brutal. The second episode was completely the opposite (gentle), so I’m giving it a little longer. I’m so sorry that I don’t have audio books (yet), but I think most of my books are text to speech enabled. I don’t know how that works or if it’s a boring monotone voice. I have to get going on producing audio books. Lots of people like them 🙂
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I figured Abraham was the one but Glenn was one of my favorites and I didn’t see it coming. The review I saw on the second episode was, as you say here, totally different than the opener but, and this is a first, on Sunday I forgot it was even coming on and I was okay with not seeing it. Text to speech is irritating to me, at least for a book. My Audible.com books are superb or I should say most of them are, there’s a couple of narrators that aren’t as good as others but for the most part I’ve been very satisfired. I loved reading actual books so much I couldn’t fathom how I’d adjust to listening to them but now the only thing I miss are the notations I used to make in my bible. I’ll tell you what though, the narrators who are extremely skilled are phenomenal because their transition from character to character is seamless. It doesn’t matter if the part is male or female you get lost in the story.
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I used to drive long distances and loved audio books. The time just flew. I’ll have to get working on this…as soon as I get this series out 😀
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👍👌
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[…] met Raker, the man who hears voices in the fog Catling, a six-year-old with a rose birthmark around her eye […]
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[…] my six-yr-old protagonist on Hanging Day.Whitt, her adopted brother, battling crajeks in the swamp.Raker, the half-mad rafter who kicks off the […]
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[…] six-yr-old protagonist on Hanging Day. Whitt, her adopted brother, battling crajeks in the swamp. Raker, the half-mad rafter who kicks off the […]
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A beautifully descriptive and powerful beginning to your book.
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Thank you! I can’t help starting with a bit of description. Hopefully there are some intriguing morsels that will get the reader to turn the page 🙂
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Thanks for taking the time to post. I know how busy you are. How close are you to finishing this, do you think? Have you joined Stevie”s Goodread’s group?
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I’m hoping for Christmas, Bernadette. I’m working on converting published books to self-published and want to do it carefully (once). So I won’t be back to this series until September. Christmas is probably ambitious 🙂 Thanks for reading and visiting!
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Oh my goodness–what an opening. Between sooty fingers and wraiths of fog–I can’t wait to see where this goes.
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Thank you kindly, Jacqui. So glad you stopped by and checked it out 🙂 Have a great week.
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Well, I’m hooked. What’s your publishing timeline?
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Christmas, Mike. It’s a 4-book serial and I’m only 2 books into it. I want to have them all written so I can release them in a tight sequence 🙂 Gotta wait… unless you want to beta read?
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I’d be happy to peek at a few chapters.
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You are so kind, Mike 🙂 I wasn’t trying to put you on the spot. There will be a point where I’ll ask for beta readers (who knows when) and if time allows and your interested you can let me know. 🙂 No pressure!!
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Groovy!
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So much to like here, particularly the concise introduction of character and setting. Very nice.
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Thank you, Ellen. I appreciate the comment. Happy writing 🙂
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I left comments peppered throughout others’ here. But, I’ll add that I love the three fingers. I found myself trying to imagine how a three-fingered being would whittle a tiny wooden object, the grip and fine muscles that would need to have developed. And it also was a fresh take on the irrationality and seemingly arbitrary roots of prejudice.
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The natives (or aliens, depending on one’s perspective) are physically a little different. Raker is a half-blood, so he’s unique anyway. The prejudice on this particular planet is a matter of power, not intellect or skills (sounds sort of familiar) 🙂
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Oh wow…powerful storytelling. Great job! It definitely made me want to read more.
Stephanie
http://stephie5741.blogspot.com
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Thanks, Stephanie. It seems that I can get most readers to the 2nd page – a good start Lol. Thanks for the visit 🙂
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Ooohhh now I want to read more! Thanks for the peak into your WIP 🙂
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Thanks Christy 🙂 I’ll throw a few more snippets out there over the year. I’m hoping to have it ready to go at the end of the year. Have a wonderful week!
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[…] Source: The Rose Shield […]
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Thanks for the share. I appreciate it 🙂
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This little morsel has hooked me. I’m captivated. 🙂
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Oh, thanks, Tess! I’m so glad I hooked you 🙂 Have a great week.
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Reblogged this on firefly465.
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Thanks for the reblog! You made my day 🙂
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Thank you for a wonderful peek, I am loving it already.
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Thanks for the sweet comment 🙂 I’ll add another little peek once in awhile. Have a great week!
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you too
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Reblogged this on Smorgasbord – Variety is the spice of life and commented:
A teaser from Diana Wallace Peach for her WIP The Rose Shield.. setting the scene very well.
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Thanks so much for the reblog, Sally. And sorry for the delay in replying here – I was trying to get my taxes done today… I would rather have been blogging! Have a lovely week ❤
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I didn’t notice Diana.. taxes.. ugh… hugs X
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Fabulous Diana! Such atmosphere… I cant wait to read this. 😊
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Thanks Ali 🙂 It’s a ways off, but I’ll get there. Nothing about this writing business happens quickly. Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great week.
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So evocative and you paint such clear images. You make it look effortless. Gorgeous excerpt. ‘Thunking’ love that word
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Thanks, Sacha. I didn’t realize I use made up words as much as I do. “Thunking” should definitely be a word 🙂 Have a great week!
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I thunk the same thing!
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I am in the middle of The Bone Wall 🙂 This piece sounds like a beginning of a new book, so I have to hurry up with my reading 🙂
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Oh, thank you, Inese. I hope it isn’t too grim and cussy 🙂 The Rose Shield is a long way off and won’t be so gritty – end of the year if I’m lucky. It’s a 4-book saga that I’ll release in a quick sequence. I’ll pop a few more snippets in here before then. Thanks so much for the visit 🙂
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Looking forward 🙂
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I love what appears to be a new cover to The Bone Wall, Diana!
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Yes. a new one! I’m slowly redoing all the covers as I take my books back from the publisher (and fixing typos that I’ve had to live with for years). Another new cover airs in less than two weeks.
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Reblogged this on Kate McClelland.
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Thanks for the reblog, Kate. Now I have to get the book written 🙂 Have a great weekend!
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This looks very interesting. 🙂
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Thanks for the visit and the follow too 🙂 I’ll be over to your place to say hi. Have a great weekend.
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Thanks a lot for visiting the blog. Really appreciate. Looking forward to see more of us here. 🙂
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As you know I love the onomatopoeic evocation of the senses ‘thunking and clinking’ got me too. I am not sure I would be brave enough to expose a WIP but with your fan club you are more than safe! Perhaps you have given me courage to follow.
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Nothing to fear, Philippa. I wouldn’t toss a first draft out here, but this is getting close to completion. I like the occasional onomatopoetic word too and don’t mind making them up. 🙂 Thanks for the visit and Happy Writing.
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Someone, somewhere in time, made them all up. Why not you or me?
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Love this! Are you participating in Camp Nano next month?
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No. I’m still recovering from November! Actually, Michelle, I’m up to my eyeballs in getting my books ready to re-release. The first one comes into my control from the publisher in about two weeks. All six will take me through August! So nothing much new happening until then. Thanks for the comment – glad you liked the snippet 🙂
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Well if you’re like me, you’re probably loving the challenge of having so many things to do.
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Erm…I feel too busy, Michelle, and I have trouble prioritizing because I want to do it ALL. I don’t think I’ve been bored in 30 years. I need an extra lifetime – (ooh book idea).
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OoooOOOoooh. I’m so happy for you, Diana! I know it was a move that took a lot of thinking; but I know you’ll be happy you made the choice. I’m already seeing evidence of that in new covers (which I love).
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It was a great decision, Erik, that I haven’t regretted for one second. Love all the oooo’s. I’m rereading all the books and making corrections (and tiny changes) as well as getting professional covers. Upping the game a bit 🙂
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[…] Read more of this excerpt of Diana’s new book at: Myths of the Mirror […]
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I love your descriptions.
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I’m glad you enjoyed it, Pam. Thanks so much for stopping by and taking the time to comment! Have a wonderful weekend. 🙂
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You too, D. and keep dreaming up those wonderful images.:0) When the moon is full, I think of you.
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Thanks, Pam. I have the house to myself today, so a spate of writing in the plan. Another moon in a couple weeks…funny how they keep coming around! 🙂
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Monthly miracles!:0) You’ve inspired me to name a few with a SW theme…Siesta Moon, Fiesta Moon…it’s fun.
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I like the idea of “theme” months 🙂
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Yeah…Jabeneros de los Lunas=July :0) etc.
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Love it. What I particularly like about your writing is that, within a beautifully fantastical world, the main characters often see themselves as very ordinary. Different, perhaps, but not ‘special’. And yet you draw their characters into situations where they grudgingly accept a heroic role.
Although, I could be talking bollocks.
Whatever. I like what you do. Keep doing it. 🙂
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Raker just wants to be left alone – not gonna happen. Poor guy. Ha ha. Thanks for the kind words. I’m about 30% done with the series. Lots to go before this one hits the press. Have a great weekend!
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Well said, babbitman. I like your own writing voice here.
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Why, thank you! 😀
(must get around to posting some more stuff!)
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Beautiful, rich descriptions.You have such a great grasp of detail and atmosphere.
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Thank you, Steven. Back at ya! 🙂 Have a great weekend.
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You too. 🙂
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Diana, great mystery beginning! The Raker character teases for more! The story snipits are compelling! Happy weekend! 💛 Elizabeth
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Thank you 🙂 I’m not sure this is the final take, but it’s close. I like Raker. He isn’t the main character, but he’s always around changing things up. Have a great weekend, Elizabeth. Enjoy.
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An excellent read. Beautifully written and the mood so perfectly set. This was a pleasure to read. Have a great weekend.
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Thanks for the comment! The books have a long way to go, but it was fun to pop a snippet out there. Have a great weekend. 🙂
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Thanks. It was a pleasure to read.
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It take courage to share a WIP — to invite others into one’s very private creative process. Hats off to you, Diana!
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I’d love to say it was an act of courage, Sean. In fact, I was brain dead for a blog post. Ha ha. This was easy and short enough not to kill anyone 🙂
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I’m not sure which I enjoyed more: the excerpt or the blatant honesty about the reason for posting it. 😀
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Ha ha ha. You’ll see more snippets, I’m sure.
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DO IT, SEAN. I DARE YOU.
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Back after a month “off the grid” and you’re already issuing dares?!
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I know. The nerve of the guy!
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I was transported. A beautifully moody scene!
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Thanks, Kathyn. I like setting the mood right off. 🙂 Glad you enjoyed it! Have a great weekend.
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You too!
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Lyrical prose that really sets place and mood. Loved it.
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Oh, thank you! So glad you enjoyed it. Have a great weekend.
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“floated at the wharf, thunking and clinking above the current’s hushed whispers.” Anyone been near docks at night will instantly be transported. Love the “current’s hushed whispers” – makes the brain think of the stories the water holds – and wonder what’s up here.
Intriguing piece – perfect last line
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I love that you picked up on the “currents hushed whispers.” That becomes an important thread in the rest of the book as one of the fog wraiths begins to whisper in his ear. 🙂 Thanks for the comment and have a great weekend.
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Thought it might. Quite sneaky
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Yes! I was thinking the same thing. This captures a setting that has been used to death in an accurate and yet new way. No easy task.
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Oh no, you can’t leave us hanging (ha!) there! More please… Wonderful poetic writing engaging all the senses. I’m hooked.
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Thanks, Annika. I might do another snippet or two when my blogging well is empty 🙂 It’s definitely fun tossing those out there. I have sooooo much work to do on these books still. Thanks for the visit as always 🙂 Happy Writing.
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Spellbinding! The beauty of your prose inspires. More please! 🙂
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Thanks, Kelly 🙂 I’m working away at it…lucky to be able to do what I love ❤
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Sure can tell. Such a mysterious, magical set-up – very intriguing!
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Setting the stage…a great tease here, Diana. 💕 You are in your element.
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Can you tell that I love this writing stuff? Happy as a lark in my recliner with my laptop, Van. Thanks for reading and have a great weekend 🙂
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You do the same, Diana. ☺
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You’ve got me intrigued, Diana. More!
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Eventually, Noelle. I was experiencing a blogging dead zone, so this was easy to pop in here. More to come, yes! Thanks for the visit 🙂
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Sounds like the beginning of a good story, Diana. That’s an interesting character. Great description as usual. 🙂 — Suzanne
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Thanks Suzanne 🙂 Glad I got you interested. Raker was a fun character to write. I’m a long way from finishing this, but I’ll get there. Happy Friday!
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You really are an accomplished artist Diana.The scene and the atmosphere are fully set.
xxx Gigantic Hugs xxx
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Thank you, David. I have to be careful not to bog down my books with this stuff. It’s something I’m working on. I think this was about right for setting the stage before the story starts up. Thanks so much for the visit and comment. Have a grand hugful day!
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I wake up in the morning thinking I’m a half-decent writer, and then I have to read this 😛
You truly are an exceptional storyteller. Reading that made me feel, if just for a moment, like I was there.
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Oh, thanks, Michael, that’s a sweet thing to say, but don’t knock your own work. This is somewhere around draft 25! It didn’t start out this way, and trust me, not every reader is going to like it either. Have a great weekend and Happy Writing!
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What a teaser! ” Wraiths of fog pirouetted across the surface, trailing veils of white lace.” I can envision this perfectly, Diana. Looking forward to its release!
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Thanks, Rob. I’m a big fan of fog in general. I had a night recently where I had to keep braking the car because fog wraiths were walking out of the woods onto the road. It was so weird I had to put it in a book 🙂 Thanks for stopping by and have a great weekend!
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A delicious teaser. Can’t wait for the main course.
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Me too…slogging away at it. It’s a 4-book saga and I’m about 30% done. Lots to do! Have a great weekend, Bernadette and thanks for the visit as always 🙂
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With a great name like Raker, how could I not like this character immediately – 3 fingers and all? 🙂
You paint a scene exquisitely. I’m ready for more.
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Thanks, Joanne. A little taste of an alien world there. Raker has a little streak of madness (maybe), but I like him too. Thanks so much for reading. Have a great weekend.
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Hope your weekend is a good one too 🙂
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You see, I do listen sometimes. I just reblogged this anyway LOL
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😀 Yay! Thank you 😀
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🙂
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Reblogged this on Richard Ankers and commented:
If this is just a taster the rest is going to be delicious. Check out all Diana’s writing because you’ll not be disappointed.
Richard
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Oh, Richard, what a lovely surprise first thing this morning 🙂 Thanks so much for the reblog! That a wordsmith of your caliber enjoyed it just made my day. 😀
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I sure did. And it’s my pleasure. 🙂
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Nicely done. Where’s the rest?? 😉
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Oh, that…um…Its a 4-book saga, Julie, with 2 written…so…end of 2016 at the very very earliest. That seems a long way off, but in writer-time, it’s right around the corner. The pressure…. Ha ha ha.
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