Poor Dahlia just came off a heck of a long adrenaline run. It’s strange how in action movies, you’ll see a character keep an adrenaline high for almost the entire film. It’s quite enjoyable, don’t get me wrong, but it just isn’t very realistic. You have to come down at some point. Your body just can’t exist in that state for a prolonged period of time (at least it isn’t healthy to do it). So what is it that pulls Dahlia back to reality? That pulls her out of that kick-all-the-ass mode? Well, love of course.

I try to emphasize the fact that people who are traumatized need love and affection to be able to survive it. And let me tell you, there’s a hell of a lot of things to be traumatized about in this book. I spent a while this morning describing a gruesome murder scene. (You know, normal writer things.) I also think showing the see-sawing of emotions that Dahlia is going through lets the reader experience just how world-shattering this all is. If I can make them experience it the way she does, they’ll understand why she’s a little untrusting, a little stand-offish, a little damaged.

Project: The Seeking

Each Seeking, the magic that protects the city of Carra must be renewed, which means the children of the High Family must go into hiding. Whether it be through disguise or bribe, through trusted friends or perfect hiding places, every child of the Priest family must avoid capture for the full day.

When things go wrong with the renewal, it’s up to seventeen-year-old Dahlia, the middle child of the Priest family, and her girlfriend, Bisa, to escape Carra and find the magical beings responsible for the protection. They must learn who would require such a cruel game to be played every year and if the protection of the Gray People is really worth such a deadly cost. What they will discover is far worse.

THE SEEKING is a YA dark fantasy novel

Current Word Count: 35,105

Progress:
Survival takes a lot out of a person, and now it’s time to come down. At least for a little while of course. This is not really a time to fully relax.

Next Up:
Safety is great, while it lasts. These folks need to make plans and fast. More importantly they need to figure out what the move is for all of this.

Commentary:
Outrage and blame is going to explode here coming up. Dahlia is going to have to come to terms with the fact that mistakes can be made and be forgiven, no matter how grudgingly. She struggles with that though. She holds herself up to high standards and expects everyone else to do the same, but that’s simply unrealistic as she’ll find out.

I’ve about reached the halfway point of this book which is lining up very well with the wordcount so far. I’m anxious because there’s a lot of gaps to fill in as I go, but I’m super happy with how this is coming along. Oh and the #5amwritersclub gives me so much life and motivation. It’s rough to keep up with, but so worth it to get the wordcount flowing regularly for this book!