Exciting news from the writing desk – the first round of edits for “The Stolen Curse Breaker” is officially done! 🎉📚
As the ink dries on this initial phase of refining and polishing, I can’t help but feel a surge of accomplishment. The characters have evolved, the plot has deepened, and the world within the pages has grown even more vivid and immersive.
The editing process has been a thrilling journey of discovery and refinement. It’s like taking a well-cut gem and carefully polishing it to reveal its true brilliance. With each pass, I’ve delved deeper into the heart of the story, fine-tuning dialogue, smoothing out transitions, and ensuring that every word serves its purpose.
But the journey doesn’t end here. As any writer knows, editing is a dance of iterations, a delicate balance between preserving the essence of the tale and enhancing its impact. While the first round of edits is complete, there’s more magic to weave, more layers to uncover, and more intricacies to refine.
I’m immensely grateful for the support and encouragement I’ve received from all of you. Your anticipation and enthusiasm have been a driving force, propelling “The Stolen Curse Breaker” towards its final form. And as we move forward, know that I’m dedicated to delivering a story that will whisk you away to a world of wonder, intrigue, and, of course, curses that beg to be broken.
Stay tuned for more updates as the journey continues. There’s an enchanting adventure awaiting us, and I can’t wait to share it with you all.
The Enchanted Escape: Unveiling the Magic Behind Our Love for Fantasy Novels
In a world that often demands our attention and pulls us into the currents of reality, there exists a portal to realms where magic is real, dragons roam the skies, and the impossible becomes possible. This portal, none other than the pages of a fantasy novel, holds a special allure that beckons us to step through and leave behind the mundane. In this blog post, we’ll uncover the captivating reasons why we love to escape into the enchanting worlds of fantasy novels.
The Quest for Adventure
Fantasy novels offer an invitation to embark on grand adventures that take us far beyond the boundaries of our daily lives. We yearn for the thrill of quests, the allure of uncharted territories, and the excitement of facing mythical beasts. These narratives allow us to experience the extraordinary, satisfying our innate craving for adventure and exploration.
A Sanctuary from Reality
Life can be demanding, filled with responsibilities, stressors, and challenges. Fantasy novels provide a refuge, a safe haven where we can seek solace from the burdens of reality. Within these pages, we find a respite from our worries and a place to recharge our spirits, even if only temporarily.
Immersive World-Building
Fantasy authors possess a unique ability to craft intricate worlds that captivate our senses and imagination. Detailed descriptions of lush landscapes, magical creatures, and awe-inspiring cities immerse us in a sensory experience like no other. The depth of world-building in fantasy novels allows us to transcend our own reality and become fully engrossed in these wondrous realms.
Empathy and Connection
Fantasy novels introduce us to characters facing challenges that mirror our own struggles, despite the fantastical settings. As we root for these characters and witness their growth, we develop a deep sense of empathy. The connections we form with these fictional personas remind us of our shared humanity and the universal themes of love, friendship, and resilience.
Escaping the Constraints of Time
Fantasy novels have the extraordinary ability to transport us through time, allowing us to experience different eras, cultures, and historical events. Whether it’s through time travel, alternate realities, or ancient civilizations, these novels grant us the gift of exploring the past, present, and future without ever leaving our cozy reading nooks.
Unleashing Creativity
Imagination knows no bounds in the world of fantasy novels. By immersing ourselves in these imaginative realms, we unlock our own creative potential. The stories spark our creativity and inspire us to think outside the box, encouraging us to dream, create, and explore our own imaginative endeavors.
The allure of fantasy novels lies in their ability to transport us to magical worlds that offer respite, adventure, and the chance to be part of something extraordinary. These stories act as doorways to escape the constraints of reality, offering us a chance to explore our own dreams and desires. As we turn the pages and journey through enchanted lands, we discover that our love for escaping into the realms of fantasy is a testament to our boundless curiosity, our longing for adventure, and our eternal fascination with the magic that lies just beyond the mundane.
The Allure of the Villain: Why We Can't Help but Love Them
In the vast landscape of storytelling, characters come in all shades of morality, each contributing their unique essence to the narrative. Yet, there’s a particular archetype that stands out—the villain. These malevolent figures, often shrouded in darkness, evoke a complex range of emotions within us, from fear to fascination. In this blog post, we delve into the enigmatic appeal of villains, exploring the reasons why we can’t help but love them.
Complexity Beyond the Surface
Villains are rarely one-dimensional characters. They possess layers of complexity that invite us to question their motives and explore the depths of their psyche. This multidimensionality adds depth to the story, making it richer and more engaging. We’re drawn to their twisted histories, tormented pasts, and intricate thought processes, peeling back the layers to uncover what makes them tick.
Mirror to Our Dark Desires
Villains often embody the parts of ourselves that we suppress or deny. Their audacious pursuit of power, their defiance of societal norms, and their unapologetic self-assuredness resonate with the primal aspects of human nature. In a way, we live vicariously through their actions, satisfying our curiosity about what it might be like to embrace our darker inclinations.
Challenging the Status Quo
Villains are the catalysts of change within a story. Their actions force the protagonists to evolve, adapt, and confront their weaknesses. We’re drawn to the tension they create, the moral dilemmas they present, and the chaos they introduce into the narrative. Without villains, the hero’s journey would lack the obstacles that ultimately lead to growth and transformation.
Charisma and Charms
There’s an undeniable allure to a charismatic villain. Their confidence, intelligence, and ability to manipulate others are often portrayed with a magnetic charm that’s difficult to resist. We find ourselves simultaneously repelled and captivated by their charisma, creating a unique dynamic that keeps us invested in their character arc.
Questioning Our Own Morality
Villains blur the lines between right and wrong, forcing us to reevaluate our own moral compass. Their actions challenge us to consider the gray areas of ethics and question the extent to which we’d go to achieve our goals. This introspection adds a layer of introspective depth to our reading experience.
In the tapestry of storytelling, villains play an essential role that extends beyond mere opposition to the hero. They serve as mirrors to our own desires and fears, catalysts for change, and provocateurs of thought. We love villains not for their evil deeds, but for the profound impact they have on the narrative and our own understanding of the human experience. So, the next time you find yourself captivated by the enigmatic allure of a villain, remember that it’s their complexity, charisma, and ability to challenge our perceptions that make them an indispensable and intriguing part of the stories we cherish.
In a world dominated by technology, where keyboards and screens reign supreme, there exists a timeless and intimate approach to writing that harkens back to the origins of storytelling. Writing your first novel draft by hand is an endeavor that not only pays homage to the traditions of literature but also offers a unique and deeply personal connection to your creative process.
The Physical Connection:
Writing by hand establishes an intimate bond between author and story, where every stroke of the pen becomes a tangible expression of creativity. The tactile experience of feeling the paper beneath your fingers and watching the ink flow creates a sensory connection that can enhance your connection to the narrative. It’s a ritual that invites you to slow down, savor each word, and immerse yourself fully in the act of creation.
Unleashing Creativity:
The act of handwriting can stimulate creativity in unexpected ways. The absence of backspace and delete keys encourages a more fluid thought process, allowing ideas to flow freely without the pressure of perfection. As you fill the pages with your handwritten words, you may find yourself exploring new directions and making surprising discoveries that might have been overlooked in a digital environment.
Embracing Imperfection:
Handwritten drafts embrace imperfection with open arms. The cross-outs, scribbles, and revisions become a testament to the evolving nature of your story. Embracing these marks as a natural part of the process can alleviate the pressure to produce a flawless first draft and grant you the freedom to experiment and explore without fear.
Disconnecting from Distractions:
Writing by hand offers a respite from the constant distractions of technology. Without the allure of notifications and browser tabs, you can immerse yourself fully in your story’s world. This focused engagement can lead to deeper insights and more profound connections with your characters, settings, and themes.
Forming a Personal Bond:
A handwritten draft is a tangible artifact of your creative journey. Each page bears the marks of your thoughts, emotions, and dedication. The act of flipping through the pages of your handwritten manuscript can evoke a sense of pride, accomplishment, and nostalgia, reminding you of the journey you embarked upon to bring your story to life.
Writing your first novel draft by hand is a romantic and rewarding endeavor that invites you to embrace the timeless art of storytelling. It fosters a deep connection to your narrative, ignites your creativity, and offers a respite from the distractions of the digital world. While it comes with its challenges, the experience of seeing your words flow onto paper and witnessing your story come to life in your own handwriting is a journey that aspiring authors should consider embarking upon. So, pick up that pen, open a fresh notebook, and let your imagination unfurl across the pages as you embark on a handwritten odyssey through the world of your own creation.
Let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good morally grey male main character? The dreamy mysterious bad guy who would burn the world down for the love of his life. The villain with a painful past but a heart of gold that he never lets anyone see. The ones who are cold hearted murders but cannot deny the soft spot. No matter how hard he tries to ignore it? After extensive research *cough* obsessive binge reading/rereading *cough* I have compiled a list of my favorite morally grey men that I cannot get enough of.
*Note*
This post may contain some spoilers, but I will try to keep them limited <3
5. Casteel Da’Neer
Character Art – Madschofield
While reading we are first introduced to Hawke, the kind and devoted bodyguard. However, the Casteel that we all know and love is mysterious, cunning, and not afraid to slaughter for the love of his life. With Casteel we get to see both his dark side and also the light he is not fully one way or the other. If you love fantastic flirty banter and sizzling chemistry you should check out the From Blood and Ash series!
Book: From Blood and Ash by Jennifer Armentrout: +18 New Adult Fantasy/Romance
The demon prince we would all sell our souls for. Introducing the prince of hell – Wrath. This story is a slow burn but the enemies to lover trope is *chefs kiss* Wrath is a demon prince, he’s craft, deceives to get what he wants, betrays and manipulates. But we love him just the same. This broody male is constantly up to no good, but his heart is in the right place. His soft spot for Amelia is swoon worthy! This novel is set in Italy, includes the seven princes of hell, witches, betrayal and much much more. This story is so beautifully written I cannot help but recommend!
Book: Kingdom of the Wicked by Kerri Maniscalco: YA Fantasy/Romance
Ohh our favorite High Lord. *drool* I know I know he should always be number one, however I don’t have him listed as number one because though he has done some naughty things, I don’t truly see him has fully morally grey. Our favorite High Lord does do things that are dark and evil but inside he has a heart of gold. Everything he does is for his family and his people. He would sacrifice anything to keep his mate safe. And yet he fits all of the criteria, Rhys is brooding, mysterious, sexy with an evil persona. The series A Court of Thorns and Roses, is a beauty and the beast retelling that will sweep you off your feet.
Book: A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Maas: New Adult Fantasy/Romance
Oh, Zade how I adore yet fear you! Zade Meadows is the shadow who is a savior to trafficked women and children but will also hack into your security system to stalk you. He is the epitome of touch her and you die, then gift you the hands of the last man that touched you. This dark broody male is mysterious, sly, murderous and yet you cannot help but love him just the same.
*Please check trigger warnings before reading this book*
Book: Haunting Adeline by H.D. Carlton: ++++18 Dark Romance
Cardan Cardan Carden, you and Jude are absolutely made for each other. You are absolutely terrible in all of the delicious ways. Prince Cardan is cunning, deceitful, beautiful yet painfully in love. “Most of all, I hate you because I think of you. Often. It’s disgusting, and I can’t stop.” The Cruel Prince is the epitome of enemies to lovers. The banter and back and for betrayal will have you screaming, begging, and possibly crying but loving the journey just as much.
Book: The Cruel Prince by Holly Black: YA Fantasy with a sprinkle of romance.
Thanks for reading my list of favorite morally grey men! Who are your favorite morally grey characters and why? Comment below <3
Going forward I plan to use this blog space to share a wide range of topics including but not limited to, my writing process, writing tips, book reviews, drafting /publishing updates, and book events you will not want to miss. Let me know via my FAQ’s page on what you would like to see most from me. I will also be starting up a newsletter here soon going over some of the listed above as well as any exclusive early content. I cannot wait to share The Stolen Curse Breaker with the world and hope that you love the characters just as much as I do!
So what’s next?
Currently I have finished the first novel of The Stolen Kingdom Trilogy, The Stolen Curse Breaker, So right now I am knee deep in edits before I start my search for trusted beta readers. I am so excited to keep you all update every step of the way!
