Warm Fuzzies!

I am participating in Juliana Brandt's Blogfest this week!
Here are the details!
"This week, we'll cater to those of us who are completely possessive over our WIPs and don't want to give anything too telling away. Instead of posting something intimate about our writing, post a picture or piece of music that describes your WIP."

Now - I'm not all *that* possessive over my book. (Just ask the dozens of people I've implored to read and critique. Sometimes I just walk up to people in the targeted audience's demographics and beg. Well, no. Not really. That would be shameless. Speaking of which - any of *you* want to read it? Pretty please?? lol.)

My main inspiration comes from music. I create soundtracks for characters, novels, moods, scenes - I use the lyrics and the sounds to create an atmosphere in my brain where I am transported to the world I am writing about. And it works really well - kind of like an auditory TARDIS.

Sometimes my friends and family talk to me while I'm writing and it's like I'm looking at them through a haze, their words sounding hollowed out and far away, like constantly getting yanked out of a dream. I only take in about 30% of what's going on around me - though I do take in that 30%! - and occasionally toss in random responses to outside stimuli. Occasionally.

One of my faves for HARD NOX? This:

But - in case you haven't noticed - I do love pictures and find that artwork can inspire me as well. Sometimes I sketch anime versions of my characters as I try to get into their head. Or sometimes I google pics like these and stare at other people's drawings. *Note - only drawings and nature pictures. Pictures of actual people always fail to inspire. Don't know why. Here are a few of my favorites:

Which reaper do you like best? Which one jumps out as the saddest? Or the most playful? Because in my head, my MC is both. :)

Happy Blogging, y'all! 

Can You Leave Us Breathless?

So, I will be participating in Brenda Drake's Halloween blogfest: Can you leave us breathless?

Why? Because Spooky little girl was my theme song. Because Halloween is the best holiday ever. Because I love contests. And mostly, because my story is at heart, an old fashioned ghost story.













So, here's my excerpt, 300 words from my completed YA Paranormal, HARD NOX:

"You feel cold."

"I'm dead." He looked down at himself. "A ghost, sort of."

"Sort of? What does that mean? How are you here? How can you hug me?" She clutched at his arms, afraid to let go, staring up into his face. Upon closer inspection, his skin appeared translucent gray like the little boy in her dream had been. His skin chilled hers, but was solid, tangible. "What's going on?"

"It's kind of hard to explain. I'm sort of stuck here, but I can't stay forever." He pulled her into another hug. "I'm so sorry I had to leave you!"

"It's not your fault." Tears blurred her vision. "I know it's not your fault. I just … it's just … it's so good to see you, touch you — are you okay? Are you hurt or do you …" she trailed off. "I don't understand."

"Perhaps I can shed some light on the matter." A Haden doppelganger in a black hoodie stood next to her dead brother, his intonation eerily familiar.

She blinked, blood icing. "H-haden? There are two of you …"

"No, there isn't," Haden said, pointing to the smirking man next to him. "Look closely."

She met the eyes of the figure from her nightmare. He looked a lot like Haden. But he wasn't, not at all. Her voice dropped with her stomach. "Who's your friend, Haden?"

But she knew.  He was Death.

How she recognized him, she couldn't say, but she was absolutely certain, down in her marrow. Completely black irises were indistinguishable from the pupils, sucking her in, drowning her. Catastrophe and inevitability swirled in those eyes, the depth and permanency frightening.

"You can call me Grim." Death spoke slow and easy as a muddy river speckled with driftwood. "It's so good to see you again, Nox."