Magical Systems

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 25: Books with good magical systems

The fluidity of it.

Magic is fluid. It’s part intentional (spells) and part emotional, weaving between the two in perfect unison.

The best examples are chaos in the Witcher series world by Andrzej Sapkowski, & the one in the A Discovery Of Witches series by Deborah Harkness — exploring how every one is unique with their power.

When I developed the magical system in my books, I tried to stay true to that concept. Not every typical witch is the same with their abilities, but it all boils down to that fluid balance. When it comes to Earthens, they’re the exception to the rule, relying only on their emotion to will their magic to life.

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

Cliffhangers

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 24: My thoughts on cliffhangers

The good and the bad.

Cliffhangers are the bread and butter of most series I’ve read. I want to be left hanging and hungry for more — except when the series ends on a cliffhanger. I’m not a fan of that.

For my series, sometimes they end in cliffhangers, other times they end with a hint of more to come.

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

Advice For New Authors

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 23: Advice you’d give a new writer

My thoughts.

Write this down and repeat after me: write every day. Write something you’d want to read.

Simple as that.

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

Saturday Snippet – Meet Peter

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 22: Saturday Snippet — Meet Peter

Featuring Stronger Than Blood, coming February 20th

Have you ever wanted to meet a ghost?

Less than a yard in front of me was a little boy unlike any I ever saw before. And since it wasn’t the first time I encountered one — New Orleans was known for attracting them — I knew from his filmy visage that he was a ghost. But it was his appearance that made my heart break for him. 

Though he was Asian, I couldn’t pinpoint the nationality. His blue-black hair was long enough to tumble across his forehead and his eyes were faded as a result of his death. The poor boy’s left cheek was shredded like something chewed at it, but I didn’t see any other injuries to tell me how he died.

With a small smile, he said, “I’m Peter.” Even though I heard the words, his mouth didn’t move. It was unsettling, but not enough to fear him. 

I let go of Liam’s arm and kneeled in front of the little boy, smiling. “My goodness, aren’t you a looker, too?”

While his mouth stayed still, he giggled, and said, “Only if you look at my good side.” For emphasis, he obscured his ruined cheek from my view. 

“Well now,” I began, speaking low, “that just makes you half as handsome.”

Turning his face back to me, a small smile faded. “Thank you, Marcy.”

I knew my words struck him. That was okay. “And, the little boy I met earlier?”

Except for another smile, he didn’t move as he said, “I give him life.”

“And he gives you a body?”

He nodded, “Exactly.”

© Sarah Doughty

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey.

Until next time,
Sarah

Feature Friday – Katherine MacDonald

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 21: Feature Friday

Featuring author Katherine MacDonald.

Today’s feature Friday goes to Katherine MacDonald. If it weren’t for the raving praise of her books from L. V. Russell and Chesney Infalt, I may not have bumped them so high on my TBR.

I’m excited to dive into some fairy tale retellings. I haven’t read many in the past.

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Stronger Than Blood is my latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. Coming February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

Pantser Or Plotter

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 20: Pantser Or Plotter

Planning, planning, and more planning.

I am a plotter, hands down. I never could finish a book before that. I’m flexible enough to let the story change and evolve if it takes a tangent. Mostly, though, those tangents don’t reroute the plot completely.

This is the completed plotting of Enduring The Flames, coming in August.

Plotting in action

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

My Writing Space

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 19: My Writing Space

Not pretty, but it works.

Rocketbooks, research, pen pouch, portable bluetooth keyboard, etc.

My writing materials are primarily kept in this little, portable pine box. I usually use our game table to plot, write, edit, design book covers, and yes, play board games sometimes.

Plotting in action

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

Favorite Authors

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 18: Favorite Authors

Growing up entertained.

I grew up reading greats like King, Rice, Poe, Stoker, Tolkien, Gaiman, Alighieri, and many more. My list has only expanded over the years.

By escaping into new worlds, I was empowered to create my own.

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

Main Character Quirks

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 17: Main character quirks

Uniqueness was paramount.

Aisling from my main series has a tendency to doubt herself and apologize as a result of her upbringing.

Angela from Home hides behind humor and emulates the abilities of others.

Marcelline from Stronger Than Blood enjoys the cold and struggles with guilt of hurting others, whether done indirectly or on purpose.

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah

Main Character Name Inspirations

Heya Lovelies,

On Twitter, I’ve been taking part in my first-ever fiction prompt during the month of January. As promised, I’m back with today’s prompt.

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Day 16: What inspired MC’s names?

Uniqueness was paramount.

As somewhat of a nod to my Q & A Session regarding naming characters, here’s a deeper look at two of my characters.

Aisling from my main series was a beautiful and unique name that I adored. Reading Ghostland by Jory Strong only solidified my thoughts on it. So when it came to naming a flawed heroine with abilities no one else in the world possessed, I knew the name was fitting.

Marcelline from Stronger Than Blood is a unique French name, meaning young warrior. I needed something strong yet elegant. The fact that it sounds like dripping honey when spoken with an old, European accent is like icing on a cake.

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Stronger Than Blood is the latest installment of the Earthen Witch universe, following Marcy and Liam’s journey. It will be released on Smashwords and their network of retailers on February 20th.

Until next time,
Sarah