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Beautiful People – Favorites Edition

Tracey Dyck 17 Comments
The Beautiful People blog link-up is saying farewell (for now, at least). I’ve had such fun joining in over the last few years, exploring my characters and getting to meet those of other writers. It’s sad to see this meme go, but it’s been a great ride, hasn’t it? To wave goodbye, the inimitable Cait @ Paper Fury and Sky @ Further Up and Further In are doing a throwback edition with a bunch of favorite questions! Let’s jump right in.

Favourite genre to write in?

FANTASY. Really, I love almost everything under the wide umbrella of speculative fiction, but fantasy is my literary homeland. (In fact, I wrote a whole post last summer about why I love it and why it’s important, which you can read HERE.)

What book (a real actual published book!) do you think your character would benefit from reading?

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Well, if we’re talking about the characters of my sort-of-WIP* The Brightest Thread, then Luci should read The Sleeping Beauty in the Wood by Charles Perrault. For obvious reasons, of course. She might find hope that her sleeping curse can be broken.
Hadrian, on the other hand, should not read that fairy tale, because Perrault’s prince barely has to lift a finger to rescue the princess, while Hadrian has a long and difficult road ahead of him. Instead, he could try Raven’s Ladder by Jeffrey Overstreet. I think he’d find much common ground with the main character, King Cal-Raven.

*I say “sort of” because I’ve barely had time to work on it lately, and yet I still claim #amediting on Instagram, so . . . ?

Favourite piece of dialogue you’ve written?

Hw can I answer that? Dialogue is one of my favorite things to write, and there are way too many fun snippets I could choose from! But for the sake of continuity, let’s stick with The Brightest Thread, and I’ll try to find something not too spoilery . . . Ah, how about this one from chapter one?

Queen Riar pressed closer to the cradle. “We thought you were—“


“Dead?” Vyntyri wove between tables toward the front. Commoners shrank back on all sides.


“Or locked in enchantment,” Riar replied. “You’ve not been seen in fifty years.”


Vyntyri laughed, a smile on her pale lips. “How happy for you then, to discover neither tale is true. Still, was it not . . . rude of you, Riar, neglecting to invite me to your daughter’s christening?”


Riar’s face tightened. “Forgive me. I am not in the habit of inviting dead people to parties.”


What did your character want to be when they grew up, and what did they actually become?

Luci just wanted adventure out in the rolling green mountains of Iror. She wanted dragon flights and travel and the freedom to roam. Instead, she spends decades trapped in sleep, with only the warped adventures found in other people’s dreams to keep her occupied. They are stranger adventures than she might find in the waking world, to be sure, but they aren’t real.

Prince Hadrian wanted to grow things. He wanted to grow his garden and grow his kingdom—and to marry the two goals by helping the sick and oppressed in Bauglind with the medicinal plants he nurtures. But Bauglind is in pretty bad shape, and there are those who would make it even worse if they got the chance, so he becomes strong, noble, and unyielding. He becomes king material, even if he doesn’t believe he’s ready for the crown.
[via Pinterest]

Favourite character name(s)?

I love finding the perfect name! Okay, correction, I don’t always love the search—the poking and twiddling and combing through baby name sites, the dictionary, and Google translate—but I love it once I’ve found the right name that clicks with the character.

In TBT, I’m quite fond of Luci’s name. First, because I find the shortened version sweet and simple. Second, because her full name, Alucinora, is actually inspired by the Latin word alucinor, which means to dream/wander in the mind.

I also like Reverie, because it’s as whimsical as her character. And Queen Riar, because it’s a bit like briar, as in Briar Rose. And Aleida, just because. Also Hadrian just because. How about we say that pretty much ALL the character names are my favorite?

What makes your character feel loved, and who was the last person to make them feel that way?

Luci feels loved when she’s understood and truly seen. The last person to make her feel that way was either Aleida, her kingdom’s fairy steward and her dearest friend, or Hadrian (depending on which point of the story we’re talking about). But after certain spoilery events, Luci has trouble even letting herself be seen, and so closes herself off to love in all of its forms.

Hadrian, too, feels loved when he’s understood, but also when he’s believed in. There aren’t many people who make him feel that way. Reverie, who is his kingdom’s fairy steward, believes in him wholeheartedly. And a doctor in the slums of the capital city shares his vision of a better kingdom, and thus believes in him too. But Luci becomes the only person to truly understand his heart.

Favourite character you’ve ever written?

Gosh darn it, WHY would you make me CHOOSE? I have favorite protagonists, antagonists, side characters, allegorical characters, favorite everyone!
Fine.

If I must . . .

This sounds like a copout answer, but it’s true—Luci and Hadrian, individually and as a couple, are among my favorite characters ever. That’s one reason I still love TBT, even after almost three years of working on it off and on. They each carry a little piece of me, pieces I never intended to plant within them but somehow did anyway. Each took on a life of their own, until they felt like living, breathing people in my mind.

If your character were permanently leaving town, what would they easily throw out? What would they refuse to part with? (Why?)

Luci would throw out her harp. She hates playing music anyway, even if she’s fairy-gifted to be perfect at it. She’d refuse to part with the little model dragon hanging from the ceiling of her room, because it’s ugly and imperfect and represents freedom to her. Plus, she’d probably want to take along the roughest, hardiest dress she could find. After all, if she’s leaving home, she’s bound to encounter some adventures for which her royal attire is not suited.
Hadrian would gladly throw out any of the fancy trappings of princehood, but he’d keep his sword, his plants, and his gardening notes. The sword because he enjoys swordplay (but not the real reasons that demand using it—those times are unwelcome necessities); and the plants and notes because he’s just a plant nerd.

Favourite tropes to write!

Any trope involving dragons. Royalty, lost or otherwise. The power of true love, but in a non-cliché way that’s actually grounded in a genuine relationship and meaningful sacrifice. Good vs. evil against a sweeping fantasy backdrop. Shapeshifters. Elemental powers. I’m also still attached to the stigmatized Chosen One trope, guys. (In the back of my mind, I’ve been brewing some ideas for how to subvert that one and make it more believable and interesting. Nothing’s fully formed yet, but I will return to my poorly-named Journeys of the Chosen series one day.)

Which story has your heart and won’t let go?

The Brightest Thread, absolutely. It’s the kind of story I love, full of so many story ingredients that excite me, populated by characters who (as I mentioned before) feel real, and so naturally I’m head over heels for this thing!

But the Journeys of the Chosen series (you might remember me chatting about The Prophet’s Quest and The Prophet’s Key many, many moons ago) won’t let me go either, no matter how many times I put it aside. I know I’ll return to it one day, and I know that when I do, it’s going to be the biggest, baddest, awesomest rewrite in my entire writing history! It’s a humongous project already, so it will take a lot of work to tear it down, find the gold in the rubble, and rebuild it from the ground up. Honestly, that’s what it needs. And I think it has the potential to be one of those passion projects or soul-works or whatever you might call an idea that’s so big and so close to your heart that it makes you gulp.

[via Pinterest]

Favourite relationship between characters you’ve written?

Luci and Hadrian are just too precious for this world and I adore them together! But since all I’ve been doing is gushing about TBT, we’ll just keep moving right along now.

Toni Morrison once said, “If there’s a book that you want to read, but it hasn’t been written yet, then you must write it.” What are the books that you want to see more of, and what “holes” do you think need filling in the literary world?

So many! I could write a whole post about this topic! But here’s a short version:

  • I want speculative fiction that feels REAL. I think that’s one reason tropes become tired and worn—because they’re presented in a flat, two-dimensional way with little care given to what it might really feel like to be a “chosen one,” to be a superhero, to be sent to another world, to fight in a battle, or anything. I want all my senses engaged, I want the emotion to pop, I want the world to be so beautifully balanced that I forget it’s the product of the author’s imagination. This kind of cohesiveness is a tall order, but it’s often the missing ingredient in books I read.
  • I want more family relationships. Parents and siblings are usually missing, dead, or dysfunctional.
  • I want characters to stop withholding information for no other reason than to increase the tension. #guiltyofthisone
  • I want fantasy with lower, more personal stakes. You don’t have to save the world every time. #guiltyagain
  • I want clean, yet gritty, books that take mainstream YA by storm. Yeah, Christian authors, I’m talking to you! I want you on the NYT bestsellers list, I want you to be the talk of the bookish community, and I think it’s possible for you to get there without being preachy or weird. Without slamming people who disagree with your worldview, and without feeling the need to write a conversion story in every single book. (Although there is a place for that.) (Okay, I really do need to write a post on this, because I have ALL THE THOUGHTS.)

Favourite pinterest board / aesthetic for a book?

I made this collage for The Brightest Thread while participating in WIP Joy on Instagram this month!

Favourite time periods & settings to work with?

Eheheh . . . medieval fantasy? It’s a comfortable, fun setting to work with for me, but I want to keep broadening my horizons and finding new cultures to inspire my fantasies too! I deviated a little bit with Mirrors Never Lie by writing a primitive Nordic-inspired culture.

Real historical time periods intimidate me, because you could lose yourself in research for months! Modern day North America is easier, but I’m still learning how to make things sound probable and authentic. (And how to research real settings better.)

When people are done reading your book, what feeling do you want them to come away with?

I love this question! When readers turn the final page of The Brightest Thread one day, I hope they sigh and smile softly. I hope their hearts are full. I hope they feel a little braver when it comes to opening themselves up. I hope that the weary and disillusioned find some hope. I hope they dare to dream. I hope they feel noticed, seen, and loved. And I hope they feel like they’ve come home after a heart-pounding adventure.

Well, we’ve come to the end. What’s your favorite character, friends? (That you’ve written, if you’re a writer, or that you’ve read about, if not?) What kinds of books do you see a need for? And to Beautiful People, I bid you adieu!

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Autobiography of a Fantasy Character – A Refuge Disturbed

Tracey Dyck 24 Comments

Three things before we begin! Number one, I apologize for disappearing last Saturday without warning. I hadn’t meant to take an unplanned week off blogging, but school caught up with me and had other plans. Number two, I might be slow to reply to your comments this week as well because of final exams. And number three, please thank Blue @ To Be a Shennachie for reminding me that it’s been much too long since we heard from our beloved Fantasy Character, aka Hero, aka Chosen One! I hope you enjoy the next leg of his journey.

* * *



Fantasy is my favorite thing to read and write, but every genre comes with its own suitcase of tropes. In this blog series, we poke some fun at our beloved stories and at ourselves as fantasy lovers.


If you haven’t yet read the first two instalments, check them out:


Origin Story (in which Hero grows up in Quaint Village, Mentor is mysterious, Incentive dies, Villain’s backstory is disclosed, and Hero discovers his singular purpose: to save the world.)

The Journey Begins (in which Hero and Mentor set off to save the world, horses are invincible, Hero is wounded, Mentor is characteristically mysterious, and they take refuge with the elves.)



I scrambled up in bed, speechless at the sight before me. This elven girl was golden sunshine, icy rivers, and heaven itself personified.

“Who are you?” she demanded.

I scanned the room, casting my gaze from the mossy floor to the wooden walls to the fern-frond curtains as if I could find the answer there. At last I said, rather dumbly, “Hero.”

“Well, it’s about time you got here.” She shoved a bundle of clothing at my chest. “Get dressed. The Feast is about to begin.” With that, she flounced out of the room.

It occurred to me that I never got her name. Moving carefully, my shoulder still tender, I donned the outfit she’d left me: a green jerkin, brown breeches, soft leather boots, and a shimmering cloak the color of cobwebs. Every piece of clothing felt light as air, yet when the corner of my cloak caught on the bedframe, it didn’t snag or rip. Perhaps it was stronger than it looked.

My bedroom’s doorway opened onto the landing of a staircase, which spiraled down the inner core of a gigantic oak tree. Other landings carved into the wood led to doors and knothole windows. What marvelous people, to create such a home in the heart of nature. Eyes wide, I hurried down the stairs to the bottom and ventured out into the late afternoon sunlight.

“Ah, Hero!” A tall, willowy elf with hair down to his waist and a longbow strapped to his back beckoned me over. “Come and join the Great Feast. I have a seat for you. Mentor is already there.” He guided me across a grassy lawn to a pavilion formed from slender saplings intertwined to create a leafy canopy. Beneath the flowers strung in their boughs was a long table groaning under the weight of platters of food. Elves were seated all around, each looking solemn and noble, all with flawless skin, smooth hair in varying shades of gold and chestnut, and forest-colored clothes. Several elves with flutes and stringed instruments struck up a silvery aria in one corner of the pavilion.

The elf-man sat at the head of the table and gestured for me to sit on his left. Mentor was already there on my own left. And across from me sat the beautiful girl.

“Hello, Father,” she murmured.

Good heavens, she was some kind of elf princess! And this elf-man was a king. I blushed.

“My people!” the Elf King shouted. “The prophesied Hero is in our midst at last! He is the one who will restore the keys to their rightful place and save the world!”

Cheers erupted–but not the raucous whooping and hollering I might hear at home in Quaint Village. No, these cheers were like music, like a chuckling brook, and I suddenly felt very clumsy and oaf-ish in the presence of such genteel folk.

The Elf King produced two pendants from within his cloak, each of them a brilliant blue gem on a golden chain. “To signify our support, I present Hero and Mentor with elven ward-gems.” He hung them over our necks. “These ward-gems will guard you against poison and disease.” He smiled and gestured to his daughter. “El’liaennwil will now sing the Ballad of the Hero.”

El’liaennwil rose from her place without looking at me and began to sing with the voice of a lark. She sang and sang many sweeping, somber lines that told of a darkness under the earth and an orphaned boy destined to conquer it. I suppose she meant me, but I wished with all of my heart that she would look my way at least once. She did not, though the ballad lasted an hour. When at last she sat down again and we began to eat, the food had gone cold. Which was just as well, since everything was either bread or fruit, with nary a nip of protein to be seen. Yet even this light fare filled my belly with warmth.

Throughout the proceedings, Mentor said very little, but seemed to be thinking quite pensively.

By the time we had finished the Great Feast, twilight was dressing the forest clearing in dusky shadows. El’liaennwil finally looked at me. “Come, Hero,” she whispered. “There is something I must show you.”

She whisked away into the darkness, and I hurried after her. Down a winding path through the trees she led me, her golden hair muted in emerging starlight. I thought in that moment I might follow her anywhere. We stopped at the bank of a narrow brook. El’liaennwil took my hand, causing my heartrate to trip. “Look.”

I followed her gaze to the ferns growing by the water. But rather than gleaming green and lush, they were blackened and curled with rot. “What’s wrong with them?”

“The keys,” she said. “Ever since they were ripped from their resting place, the forest has been dying. I fear even the great oak in which we live could topple before long.”

Looking into her shining, solemn eyes, I vowed then and there to ensure that never happened.

The next day, Mentor was the one to rouse me from my slumber. “How is your shoulder?” he asked.

“It feels great,” I replied. And it did. Something about the fresh air and elven food–and perhaps the effects of my elven ward-gem–had completely healed my wound.

“Then we will train. The Elf King can teach you things that I cannot.”

So Mentor and I joined the Elf King in another round clearing not far from the oak, where we spent hours upon hours discussing philosophy, nature, the wind, heroism, the significance of insects, and how to get in touch with the power running through my veins. The Elf King taught me how to find it and harness it, and soon I could release blasts of power so large, they shook the highest trees.

“But beware you do not let it get out of control,” the Elf King said soberly. “For it is your uncontrolled powers that catch the attention of Villain’s dark warriors, and they will be able to track the echoes of that power straight to you. They seek to destroy you before you can return the keys to where they belong.”

I nodded. “Yes, sir.”

I still had much to learn, so after another long night of feasting and ballads, we trained the next day, and the next. The Elf King had other business to attend to, so El’liaennwil took over my training alongside Mentor. Together they taught me much. With every swipe of my sword and blinding blast of light, I felt more and more ready to take on a whole army of dark soldiers. Especially with El’liaennwil sending me tiny nods of approval when she thought I wasn’t looking.

“Careful, Hero,” Mentor cautioned. “That last strike was nearly too much.”

“Don’t worry, Mentor,” I replied. El’liaennwil and I were facing off with swords in the middle of our circular training ground in the woods. “I have everything under control.” I twirled my blade and reached for the power thrumming through my bloodstream–reached deeper than ever before and felt it swarming under my skin, building like a tidal wave. Light surged from my sword, my eyes, my hands, and I brought my weapon crashing against El’liaennwil’s sword with a resounding CRACK!


A cylinder of white light shot up all around me, sending a beacon soaring into the sky.

El’liaennwil stumbled back, her blade cloven in two. “Hero, stop!”

But try as I might, I couldn’t close the floodgates and turn off the pure energy beaming through me like a miniature sun.

“Hero!” Mentor yelled.

The grass at our feet shrivelled to brown, then just as quickly sprung up again with spring green. The trees lost their leaves in a dry rattle, then put forth fresh buds. Black slime oozed out of the ground. Sparks of light bounced from my sword and set fire to the sludge. I shook with the force of power, every bone vibrating. “Help!” I shouted. “I can’t stop it!”

That’s when the dark soldiers streamed in on every side. Dozens of them. El’liaennwil drew knives from the folds of her tunic and slashed her way into the fray. Mentor swung his staff. “GHAOWOUSHAL!” he shouted, just like last time. And just like last time, light shot from his staff and sent enemies bowling over.

But I continued to quake in the middle of my own firestorm of light.

Mentor dashed to my side and grabbed my shoulders. “FALKSOWFALLEN!” With that magic word, my power stopped.

I crumpled to the ground, deflated. The world swam before my eyes, fading in and out. In the haze, I thought I saw Mentor as I had in my vision–mysterious and powerful and full of secrets. He repeated the word, but instead of “falksowfallen,” I heard, “May the prince of light be contained.”


Then the vision left and my eyes cleared.

“Get up.” Mentor hauled me to my feet. “They’re recovering!”

The dark soldiers were rising to their feet again, weapons in hand and murder in their eyes.

El’liaennwil downed two of them with expert slashes before running to us. “To the Falls! Hurry!” She tore into the woods, and Mentor yanked me after her. We blazed through the trees, the sound of crashing pursuit growing closer behind us.

“We can’t lead them to the oak!” I panted. “Your home–your people will die!”

“That’s why we’re going to the Falls,” El’liaennwil snapped back. She leaped over a fallen log and led us ever deeper into the forest.

At last, when my lungs felt they were about to burst, we broke out onto a rocky cliff. A roaring waterfall gushed over the side, the bottom wreathed in white spray. “What?” I yelled. “Do you want us to jump?”

Behind us, the dark soldiers reached the treeline.

El’liaennwil peered over the edge of the cliff and loosed a piercing whistle. Then she tipped over the side.

“El’liaennwil!” I screamed.

Just then, a flash of red with wings zoomed past, El’liaennwil on its back. A dragon! “Jump!” she called.

The dark soldiers charged closer. In a second, their swords and clubs would be upon us.

Mentor and I inhaled deeply, nodded at each other, and took a flying leap off the cliff into empty air.

To be continued . . .

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Five Poisoned Apples: A Celebration

Tracey Dyck 33 Comments

The results are in, folks!

So we’re going to have a little party to celebrate, because this is the last fairy tale contest Rooglewood Press is going to hold, and it deserves to be commemorated.

The Winners

The Facebook party last Saturday was such fun! This year there were 27 finalists, 13 honorable mentions, and four special unicorns (stories that received perfect scores from the judges). From that lengthy list, the five winners were selected. So many amazing stories were celebrated, and I know there were many more that went unlisted but still possessed such creativity and imagination. I don’t envy the judges’ job at all!

I was hoping to share the announcement here before it was officially posted on the Rooglewood Press website, but alas, school was rude and didn’t let me. So by now you’ve probably all seen the five winners’ names on the cover already. In case you missed it . . .

Isn’t it stunning? And look, look–I KNOW ONE OF THE WINNERS. It’s our very own Skye Hoffert! And I couldn’t be happier for her! You’ve probably seen Skye in the comments around here. She and I have been blogging buddies and writing pals for years. A few months ago, I had the pleasure of beta reading Falling Snow. Believe me, the grungy circus vibe of her story is the perfect way to open up this anthology.

Next up, Jenelle Hovde’s historical fantasy Raven’s Heir. It sounds like this one follows the original tale most closely. In Anne Elisabeth Stengl’s words, this story carries “that perfect blend of poetry and grit,” which sounds like a writing style I’ll love.

Then we have Cortney Manning’s The Fairest One, a tale with a Middle Eastern flavor and dwarven mythology. It sounds positively delicious! And apparently Cortney entered five stories in this year’s contest, earning a place as a winner, a special unicorn, and a twice-over honorable mention.

Following on that tale’s heels is Maddie Morrow’s vampire spin called Red as Blood. That’s one genre these anthologies haven’t explored yet, so I’m excited to see what sort of dark and twisty road this story will take me on.

And wrapping it up is Rachael Wallen’s Snowbird and the Red Slippers. Involving a scholarship to a prestigious New York dance school, this contemporary tale is peppered with magical realism. It sounds like a sweet and satisfying way to end the book!

The Special Unicorns

These four ladies impressed the judges with their impeccable story skills. To reward them, Anne Elisabeth Stengl created beautiful covers for their entries! I’m unsure if I’m allowed to share them here, but they were each gasp-worthy works of art. The four special unicorns are:

  • Sarah Pennington with Blood in the Snow (I believe I’ve seen Sarah somewhere around the blogosphere, so I feel like I distantly “know” her.)
  • Cortney Manning with Yellow Bright (As I mentioned, she’s also one of this year’s winners.)
  • Elizabeth Brown with Heir (You may remember her as one of the Five Glass Slippers winners!)
  • Esther Brooksmith with The Blood of Beauty (I’ve recently gotten to know Esther through the super fun countdown posts she shared on her blog leading up the announcement!)

The Finalists & Honorable Mentions

Rather than list alllll the finalists and honorable mentions, I’ll simply direct you again to the list posted on Rooglewood’s website HERE. But I do want to take a minute to give a shout-out to my friends and acquaintances who received recognition!

Several finalists’ names were familiar to me, but these two in particular are people I’ve interacted with online more often:

  • E.F. Buckles: Moonsilver (Loooove that title! I bump into EFB around here and Goodreads, both great places to chat about books.)
  • Sophia White: The Colour of Life (It’s a Ukrainian/Russian setting with nesting dolls! Sophia frequents my blog too.)

And I’ve also interacted with these honorable mentions:

  • Meredith Burton: The Princess and the Invisible Apple Tree (I remember Meredith from back when the Tales of Goldstone Wood blog was active; she’s very sweet!)
  • Claire Banschbach: Threads of Yellow, Blue, and Red (I’ve just recently started to get to know this indie authoress!)

And . . . well, if you already peeked at the list, then you’ve stolen my thunder, but . . .

You guys, I am blown away.

Seeing The Brightest Thread among the top ten in the Spindles contest was incredible, but with the way this year’s story was going, I did not expect to match that success. Of all four stories I entered in Rooglewood fairy tale contests, Mirrors Never Lie was the one in which I was LEAST confident.

When I submitted to Glass Slippers, I was the kind of writer who doesn’t know what she doesn’t know.

When I submitted to Enchanted Roses, I loved what I’d written but was missing a few key ingredients.

When I submitted to Magic Spindles, I knew this was one of my strongest works yet. Yet everyone deals with doubt, so making it to the top ten list was a huge boost of confidence.

However, when I submitted to Poisoned Apples, my writing life was in a dry spell and I seriously doubted that novella would make it anywhere. What a thrilling surprise to be proven wrong! And I am deeply grateful for the feedback I received from judges. It nearly made me cry.
Now what are my plans for this story? As you probably know, revising The Brightest Thread is my top writing priority right now. That’s what I plan to work on all summer long (and I really, really can’t wait!). But that doesn’t mean that Mirrors Never Lie is getting shelved forever! In fact, I specifically wrote it in the same world as TBT, years earlier in a different land. Soooo . . . there’s the possibility of expanding MNL into a novel sometime. Maybe this will grow into a whole series of standalone fairy tale retellings connected by the same world? But I’m getting way ahead of myself! For now, rest assured that MNL is a story I plan to return to eventually.

Everyone Else

Okay, here’s where I brush the confetti off the table and bring out a box of tissues and give hugs to all of the precious writers who submitted to this contest . . . but didn’t see their names anywhere. All of us received feedback, so in that sense you’re walking away with something! (Along with a completed story that you were brave enough to send out into the world!) But some of that feedback likely stings. In the wake of disappointment, it’s easy to fixate on the critiques we received and the insecurities that come clawing back. This story is garbage. I’m not a good writer. Who am I fooling? Will I ever make it? I’m terrible at ____. Thoughts like this–and worse–threaten to black out the truth. So imagine we’re sitting across from each other right now, and I’m looking you in the eye and telling you:

It’s okay to hurt. When you’re hoping against hope that you might get at least an honorable mention, your heart falls as name after name scrolls by, and none of them are yours. I get that. I’ve been there. Like I mentioned in a recent post about these contests, I’ve lost more competitions than I’ve won. And I’ve received feedback that shredded fragile parts of me and left me sobbing, others that left me sulking under a dark raincloud for days. So allow yourself to lick your wounds. But please, please don’t stay there.

One contest does not a writer make. The results do not define you. They are not a measure of your worth as a person or as a writer. Don’t let it touch your identity! As my pal Katie Hanna mentioned on a Facebook post, you’ve fallen off the horse, but get back on. Try again! Keep writing! If writing is something you love, if it’s a thing you feel called to do, you owe it to yourself to pursue it.


Use this as a springboard. Let that feedback sheet rest for a while. Put the story away for a bit. But then when you feel up to it, go back and look at it again. All those critiques mentioned? All those areas that received low scores? Those are opportunities. Those are things you can actually learn. Did you get a low score in dialogue? Then pay careful attention to the way characters in your favorite books chat back and forth. Was your plot a mess? Go find some excellent books and blogs that teach story structure. Critiques can hurt, but they have been my best teachers.

And one more thought to help keep your spirits up as you tackle these problem areas: Whichever judge read your story has your best interests in mind. Look for the positives she highlighted and build on them. Also look for the things she didn’t mention at all! A doctor may tell you your heart is having issues, but if they don’t mention your lungs, I’d guess you’re breathing just fine! Meaning the elements that don’t get critiqued are probably at a functioning level. All is not lost, my friend.

Some Links

To wrap this party up, I’m sharing links to a few places where fellow writers have shared wonderful posts regarding Five Poisoned Apples!

Skye Hoffert @ Ink Castles // In this post, Skye shares her reaction to winning, as well as pictures of a completely magical party she threw with a friend! Go show her some love, you guys!!!

Esther Brooksmith @ The Pen of a Ready Writer // I’m just giving you a general link to her blog, because she’s been posting thoughtful questions to spark discussion in the weeks and months leading up to the announcement. So go take a stroll through her archives, and while you’re there, congratulate her on her Special Unicorn status!

Allison Tebo @ Allison’s Well // Alli shares about the poison of playing the comparison game and how each of us are on our own journeys. She dug up some amazing, thought-provoking reflections! (This is a post you should all read whether you won, lost, or didn’t even enter at all. Go on, shoo.)

Well, folks, these contests have been an adventure! Thanks for putting up with my sentimental self. 😉 I send my warmest congrats to the winners, unicorns, finalists, and honorable mentions! Can’t wait to read the collection when it releases December 2018!

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Subplots and Storylines – March 2018

Tracey Dyck 34 Comments

March was a head-down, nose-to-the-grindstone kind of month–at least in terms of schoolwork. As soon as one project wrapped up, another one (or two) would be added to the list. I’m sure most of you students can relate! But I’m chugging along, counting down the weeks until freedom summer break!

We had an honest-to-goodness SNOW DAY at the beginning of the month–which is impressive, given that Manitobans are stubbornly snow-resistant–so it’s kind of amazing that four weeks later, I can practically watch the snow melt. Spring is on its way! That always fills me with hope.

A couple of random highlights before we jump into the juicy stuff . . .

I took my sisters to our church’s youth group, which doesn’t happen all that often due to the distance. But during leadership college last year, I spent many, many Friday nights volunteering there. So it was refreshing to go back and spontaneously throw on my volunteer name tag, roll up my sleeves, and dive in again. I had missed that place.

Second-hand book fairs are a Very Wonderful Thing. I went to one with my fam jam and came away with an arm-aching load of ten books, six of which were hardcovers: all for $14! I am still ecstatic, despite the realization that at this rate, my floor will disappear in approximately 2.3 months.*

*This is what happens when your bookshelves are so full they throw up on the floor. You’re welcome for that mental image.

Juicy News Item #1: I registered for Realm Makers! Yes! It’s official! This will be my second time attending (actually my second writing conference altogether), and I couldn’t be more thrilled. The lineup of speakers looks amazing, and I’m not at all ashamed to admit that at least half of my classes will be held by Nadine Brandes and Mary Weber, both of whom are Queen Authoresses in my humble opinion. I’ve got roomies set up, the hotel is soon to be booked, and I’m working on my flights right now. Deciding to attend this year is, once again, a step in faith financially speaking (thank you, college tuition), but God provided for me last year and I’m confident He will again!


Juicy News Item #2: Today marks the third anniversary of Adventure Awaits! Say what?! I know, it snuck up on me this year too. I’d love to do some kind of celebration to thank all of you incredible souls who have either recently joined me, or have been around since the beginning, or something in between . . . But. College life. See first paragraph. That being said, what do you all think about a belated blogoversary party sometime, oh I don’t know–end of April? Beginning of May? I want to do something this year, since last year I didn’t have time to do anything either! (And I’d be open to party suggestions!)


Juicy News Item #3: Many of you probably know this already, but the winners (and honorable mentions, and Special Unicorns, etc.) of Five Poisoned Apples are being announced on the special Facebook page TONIGHT at 8pm EST! I . . may have created a temporary account just so I wouldn’t miss the festivities.* I am about to burst with excitement. There has been such creativity and skill this year that no matter who wins, I can’t wait to get my hands on the complete, polished Five Poisoned Apples book when it releases!

*But at this point, I wouldn’t bother friending me, if I were you. My plan is to keep Facebook very much in the background after the announcement until I can figure out a productive, disciplined social media schedule. I’m spending too much time on such things as it is!

Screen Subplots


Avatar: The Last Airbender

I watched only two episodes of this with my sisters, but it’s still an amusing show, and Aang is still cute.

Finished Once Upon a Time Season 3 and started Season 4
Yep! My siblings and I finally finished the third season, which may be one of my favorites, and dipped our toes into the fourth–as in, we watched only one episode. It’s a rewatch for me and my sisters, but it’s all new to our brother, Josiah, whom we’ve successfully roped in.

Once Upon a Time Season 6
My sisters and I saw a little bit more of the second-newest season. It hasn’t wowed me yet, but it’s starting to improve. Here’s hoping it continues that upward trend! (I’m still in this for Hook, no matter what.)

Finished The Flash Season 3
*sobs for hours*

Um.

Guys.

My heart is a mangled mess of feels and the only way I’ll recover is if Season 4 FIXES ALL THE THINGS THAT ARE BROKEN AND MAKES EVERYTHING HAPPY AGAIN. I refuse to give spoilers, but let’s just say that was the most bittersweet ending of a Flash season yet. Yet it’s currently my favorite show! Because I like pain, apparently.

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Thor: Ragnarok
I’ve been waiting forever for this to come out on DVD, and it finally arrived. I felt like I knew a bit too much going in, after seeing so. many. pictures. all over Pinterest, but it was a really fun, really enjoyable movie. I laughed out loud. Like a lot. Seeing Thor’s funny side take over, rather than his moody god side, was just the refreshing twist a lot of fans were looking for, I think. Although, like Christine said, there were a couple of places I would’ve liked to see the emotion drawn out a bit more. Still–Loki was there! I will never get tired of seeing those two banter back and forth (albeit in a “I’ll kill you if you so much as hint at betrayal” kind of way).


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Ferdinand
Eh. It was cute, and it had a few laughable jokes, but . . . I don’t know, guys, I feel like I’ve seen this plot about twenty-five times before. And Pixar does it better. Still, apart from the eccentric goat nicknaming the titular character “F-Bomb” once, I think kids would enjoy it. On a more positive note, this movie is set in Spain, which is unusual! And Ferdinand himself stuck to his convictions without wavering, so that’s another plus.



Black Panther
SO GOOD.

Not perfect, but really, really, really good. I wasn’t sure what to expect, since we don’t get to know all that much about T’Challa in Civil War, and since half the internet seems to be making this movie a race thing when–I’m sorry, but can’t we just focus on making good art? (Which is a whole ‘nother post for a whole ‘nother day, if I decide to put on my controversial hat.)

Anyway! Where were we? Right, it was a great movie, beautifully shot, and full of well-drawn characters. I loved T’Challa’s sister, Shuri! She’s the real deal, guys. And there were so many other great ones: Nakia, General Okoye, Klaue, and Agent Ross being among my favorites. If you didn’t get the hint yet, I’m always in it for the characters! But truly, the action and plot and setting (Wakanda forever!) were fabulous too. The main downside for me was the ancestor worship, but even that didn’t detract too much from my enjoyment.


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Jumanji (2017)
I remember watching the 1995 version a long time ago. It was one of my first scary movies, and I loved every thrilling minute of it. So when I saw the hilarious trailer for the remake, I was super excited!

And . . . well. It wasn’t quite as good as I’d hoped. I was fine with the plot being the shallow action flick kind–and it made fun of videogame tropes, which even I enjoyed as a nongamer–but I really could have done without the crude humor. If you haven’t seen the movie yet, the basic idea is that four teens get sucked into a videogame, where they appear as the avatars they chose. One girl unwittingly chose a male avatar, and as you can guess, this becomes the source of way too many inappropriate jokes.

Other than that, it was pretty funny! I still liked the old one better, though.

Page Storylines

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Last Star Burning // Caitlin Sangster

Hmmm, very mixed feelings on this one.

I liked the world–a dystopian/futuristic China! I liked the hints of Sleeping Beauty scattered throughout. The Sleeping Sickness, based off a real disease called encephalitis lethargica, was cool too. I liked that Sev, the protagonist, was actually loyal to her City’s (abusive) government, which is uncommon for dystopian heroes. And because this book came in a PageHabit box, there were sticky note annotations by the author, which I also liked.

But I wasn’t a big fan of the info-dumping used to explain how everything worked, especially at the beginning. I didn’t like having to reread action scenes to understand what was going on, since the writing style got a bit jerky at those parts. By the end of the book, there were very few characters left that I actually liked. Most people turned out to be backstabby. And a lot of the conflict could have been avoided if Sev had just asked more questions and used her common sense. You’d think that an orphan who was branded and bullied by the City would naturally be a little more suspicious!

Oh, and Howl’s name made me think of Howl’s Moving Castle, which this book was definitely nothing like. Not a bad thing, per se, just a thing.

So overall, I was decently entertained and will probably pick up the second book when it comes out. But my disappointment in a certain character has colored my opinion of the whole story, sadly. Three stars.

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Circles of Seven // Bryan Davis

THIS IS MY FAVORITE DRAGONS IN OUR MIDST BOOK AND I LOVE IT SO. I’m such a sucker for symbolism and metaphor, and this one is packed with it, so of course it’s my favorite!

Billy has grown so much since the beginning of the series. It’s refreshing to see a hero actually learn from his mistakes, instead of constantly backsliding to square one. And as all the friendships deepen, these characters just keep growing. Bonnie is one of my heroes; her faith is so beautiful to see. I loved seeing Ashley and Walter argue and banter more–there’s so much snark, but also a really healthy conflict resolution! Professor Hamilton continues to be a lovable, sprightly old gent who yells about driving on the wrong side of the road, physically attacks baddies, trips a rude cameraman, and holds fast to godly wisdom through it all. I love him. The only character I hate is Morgan, and she’s, well . . . supposed to be hated.

I loved the setting too. Most of it takes place in England and in the seven circles, which carry so much of that spiritual symbolism I was just raving about! And there’s one scene near the end that I’d nearly forgotten, a scene heavily inspired by Ezekial 37 . . . chill-inducing, in a really good way.

I feel like I uncover more of this book every time I read it. This was my third time, I think, and I’m sure I’ll still find more next time. Five stars!

Written Subplots

I’m not quite sure how I managed to get any of this done, but . . . apparently I did!

I compiled more beta feedback on The Brightest Thread, this time covering chapters 7 through 15. I was hoping to get to chapter 18, but didn’t quite make it. I’m seeing patterns in what’s working and what’s not working in the story, and the more I prepare, the more excited I get to tackle revisions this summer! Just this week, I received some golden advice for how to fix one of my main trouble spots.

I also wrote another little flash fiction piece this month, and I quite like it. It needs a bit of buffing up, but then I plan to submit it to Splickety for one of their summer editions!

Farewell, March

So it was a good but busy month! It looks like I watched more movies and read fewer books than usual (oops), but still got some writing progress done. Now I’m looking forward to April!

Happy Easter, everyone! Tell me, how was your month? Are you going to be at the Five Poisoned Apples reveal? Any ideas for a belated blogoversary party? And–as if our TBRs need any help–what’s a book that gets richer every time you read it?

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