Check out The Sacrificed's fanmade soundtrack, composed on piano by Abrielle Kramer!

The Sacrificed Official Cover

The final cover for The Sacrificed has just been released! For those who are unaware,The Sacrificed is a young adult dystopian fantasy novel that will be released in Ebook format with Entranced Publishing. The story centers around Emerald Hayden, a 16-year-old wingless girl who was born in a society where the winged citizens prevail over the walkers. It is up to Emerald to decide whether she will accept her grim fate as a walker, or attempt to change it, with the harshest price being her life.

The Sacrificed Fan Cover!

 This is a fan cover that my friend, Abrielle Kramer put together for my upcoming novel, The Sacrificed, which will be released on June 24, 2013. As you can see, there is a lot of hidden symbolism in it--see what you can find!

Commenting onto the poll that I launched a few weeks ago, The Sacrificed is forbidden romance. The forbidden concept in the story is displayed in the love that forms between Dusk and Emerald, a winged and a walker. But I don't want to spoil too much for you (;

A new poll will be available every 2 weeks. Previously, I asked you what type of romance excited you the most. 40% said: fated or destined love, and an equal amount responded: Spontaneous love.

Romance in The Sacrificed

Note: The Sacrificed will be released on June 24, 2013 in Ebook format. It will then be available on most digital platforms, including the Entranced Publishing website.

Romance is a key theme in The Sacrificed, and though it may not seem that way when read at a glance, the love that Dusk and Emerald share is extremely critical to the story's progression
Most of us enjoy tales of forbidden love. They usually detail two people who become romantically involved in the worst possible situations--where it is either politically incorrect to do so, or where it has simply never been done before.

In the Ebook, sixteen year old Emerald Hayden is a walker, which means that she resides on the lower level of the City of Centsia. Even though she is half-winged, she has no wings, thus all of the privileges associated with having winged blood are invalid for her.

Dusk is a full winged, a pure blood. His fate collides with Emeralds' in an unlikely meeting on the lower level. But you'll have to read the full edition to discover the deaths and the struggles that result from it. And yes, there are many deaths!

A new poll will be available every 2 weeks. Previously, I asked you if you felt that you had control over your dreams. 66% said: not at all, and 33% responded: sometimes.

Imagery- Nightmares

     I just woke up from a horrendous dream. I was in a dark room, though it seemed that the whole world was dark, and there were these creatures. I say 'these creatures' because I have no idea how to describe them, other than the fact that they were all black, and they wouldn't stop touching me! Whenever I left the kitchen, they would reach out and press their hands against my arms.
     Now, whenever I have a dream, I have 2 senses: sight and touch. Both taste and smell are irrelevant, and there was no need for them in this scenario. There was no way for me to escape.
     In this situation, I was plagued with a nightmare that I could remember afterwards, as opposed to the sweet, heavenly dreams that leave my mind at the break of dawn. The point is, well, not only to write about my dream so it doesn't recur, but to highlight a key topic: imagery. The only imagery stronger than the worlds you can conjure up while reading, in my opinion, is when you are dreaming. Both are produced by the mind, yes, but while reading, it is easy to put the book down and walk away.

     Click here to see the artist!
While having a nightmare, or even a dream of pleasure or happiness, it is almost as if you are trapped. Unlike the story books and fiction tales, it is hard for me to 'pinch myself' and bring myself back to reality. My mother once said that I had the power to control my dreams, even my nightmares, but I have to disagree. I want to hear from you. Please vote in the poll below--do you feel that you have control over your dreams?

A new poll will be available every 2 weeks. Last week, I asked you what the strongest trait in a main character was. You said: cleverness and intelligence.

Quick Announcement

The Sacrificed will be released on June 24, 2013!

My Main Characters- Certain Tendencies

It seems as if every writer has a tendency or area of comfort when creating their characters, whether it is to make them lean and tall or intelligent and outgoing. After all, most of our main characters have traits that we would like to have, or that we associate with an admirable person.

Female Tendencies:

1. Now, this isn't always the case, but beauty always seems to be a factor when developing my heroines. In fact, upon examination of other literary *fantasy* works, I can't name a single heroine who has had an acne-covered face or even a wider-than-normal nose. Even characters that look down upon themselves are accepted naturally by others.
2. Personality is also a huge factor when I'm developing my characters. Most of my female characters tend to be dynamic: shy at first, but through some kind of changing experience, their views on the world around them changes in its entirety.
3. I tend to shy away from blond main characters: for some reason I find an inexplicable detachment from them, which is perhaps caused by the persistent hammering of certain stereotypes and generalizations. I intend to arm one of my main characters with golden locks in the future, however.
4. Strength is one of my biggest commonalities. I despise tales that demean women, and write them off as damsels in distress. It is exceptional on certain levels, but I find it irritating that many people believed, and still believe, that woman are incapable of fending for themselves.

Click here for the artist!

Despite these tendencies, each and every character is treated to their own developed set of thoughts, ideas, and ways of thinking. They may do different things, express themselves in different ways, and generally behave in a different manner. When I write, I picture that I am the character, and I know instinctively how they will react when they are faced with each and every obstacle.

Male Tendencies: 
Click here for the artist! (right)

1. Once again, this is a common tendency among authors. We all love the tall, dark, and handsome heroes, the ones that we dream of encountering in reality, only to be disappointed later on. They're always athletic or toned, to an extent. Most are sure of themselves and confident in their actions and decisions, whether they are good or bad. They are fought over, reveled about, and often end up turning the tables somewhere in the story.
2.  Eyes are very defining for my male characters--eyes can tell the story of the character's background before they even deliver any dialogue whatsoever, and can foreshadow towards future events. Gray eyes mean mystery, as commonly known, and can hint towards a past filled with danger and despair.
3. Defining/supernatural trait: Whether it is golden or silver eyes, wings, fangs, or even, more recently, a significantly wider peripheral vision, I like to set my male  characters apart from the rest. They are often non-human, and the most superior ones often end up causing more trouble than that of which they aim to cure.