Breaking Point - NaNoWriMo 2017

It's NaNoWriMo 2017 (National Novel Writing Month)!!! I'm taking a break from the agent/publisher hunt to participate. I'm definitely not giving up the search. But the time honoured tradition of submission and rejection is hard work and frustrating. I want to focus on the part of the process that I do love, WRITING!!

Rough draft of the cover

This year I'm going to bash out a first draft of Emersus Project, Book 3! I came up with the working title "Breaking Point" because this is where everything changes for the characters. Both Gemmy and Sem are growing in their own strength and abilities. And, as we get older, our relationships grow and change as well. Sometimes, whether people continue on together comes down to a make or break point. In Book 3, Gemmy and Sem are at that point.

The great part of NaNoWriMo is they ask you to upload a cover for your project. I've drafted something that I think reflects the themes of the book.

Obviously, I want the cover to be similar to the "Black Star" and "Spirit Shear" covers. But, the key difference for this one is that it features Gemmy and Sem! Their world, Arbea, is at a cross road. But the edge that Gemmy and Sem's friendship rests on is just as central to the conflict. The rune that puts their figures in silhouette is a combination of the Arbean runes for destruction and conflict.

I love the drama of the two characters on opposite side, arms outstretched towards power. Are they pulling away from each other or watching each other's back?

So, before NaNoWriMo kicks off I'll continue researching and put out a few more queries. And I've entered some writing competitions as well. Those can marinate over November while I crack on with drafting Book 3! Have a look at what the Gemmy, Sem and Mhetli look like at "Breaking Point" begins!

Here's to November and NaNoWriMo! Here's to seeing Gemmy, Sem and Mhetli again! I've missed them! And here's to writing - my love and my passion!

Persist and proliferate!

Hope you enjoy!
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Buy 'Black Star' or 'Spirit Shear' on Amazon in the UK and US
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Merlin's chimaera - my fantastic bestiary

Meet my Chimaera! For the Kelpie's Heart series I'm creating a bestiary of Celtic and Brittonic mythological creatures (think more  The Witcher 3, less Newt Scamander).

The chimaera of mythology is originally of Greek origins. However several different cultures describe similar types of beasts in their folklore. The definition of chimaera is any organism containing a mixture of genetically different tissues. For my design I've stuck with the traditional mythological definition of a lion + goat + snake. I've added some leathery wings that fold into its side. Imagine seeing this guy roaming around the highlands on a foggy night or flying through the sky like a fiery comet?


He's one bad kitty!

In Merlin's bestiary that I'm designing the chimaera is defined as: A monstrous creature made of dark magic - stitching together different animals into one timorous beastie. Most commonly it has the body of a lion with a second head, that of a goat, growing out of its back. It’s tail is particular troublesome as it is a snake. All heads seem to operate independently making it impossible to sneak up on. What the heads have in common is that they are equally malicious and breathe fire. Depending on the magician who has conjured it they can have numberless extra abilities including wings, a hypnotic stare, poisonous claws and creating soporific mist. They often serve as a wizard’s guard.


What do you think? Are there any other interesting chimaera combinations that you can think of?

Check out more from the Bestiary here!

• Eachy
• Giants giants giants
• Cat sidhe
• Gargoyles
• Kelpie
• Dragons, sidhe (fairies), and trows

Hope you enjoy!
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Buy 'Black Star' or 'Spirit Shear' on Amazon in the UK and US
Check out Themo on Twitter and Facebook