Liss Thomas's Blog: Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals, page 13
May 28, 2013
Introduction - ArmchairBEA!
Greetings Mortals and non-mortals alike!
My name is Liss Thomas. I am a Young Adult Fantasy Author and a blogger of fiction and fantasy. I discovered Armchair BEA via another blogger… Thank you, GirlWhoReads! I knew about the BEA through a fan of mine who is going but just learned about this cool event.
I’ve been blogging for several years about any and everything under the sun. But now I just started my own hosted blog and finally figured out what I want to blog about. Fiction, fiction, fiction. Truth is, I love to make stuff up and my blog houses a lot of my made up stories. My blog is designed for my target audience, YA readers!
I am currently braving the harsh conditions of living in Florida with beaches within walking distance. I do this for you, so you don’t have to 
). My hubbykins and I move around a lot. Our last location was Santa Barbara, California and more beaches. Do you sense a theme? I love the water! The best part about the water…water birds!
Although they tend to steal from fishermen and unattended dinner plates.
[image error]
Lurking around plate on the deck of a restaurant
People reading my blog probably don’t know that I’m an animal lover. And I’m not talking just cats and dogs and birds. My flaw… I have to touch! Here is a list of animals I have touched, rode on, met, petted and held: elephant, ostrich, bitterong (bear cat), dolphins, manatees, tiger cubs (actually held them!), liger, chimpanzee, llama who gave me a kiss, owl, spider monkey and a goat that got in my grill.
[image error]
Too close! Too Close!
I’m very proud of my favorite post, actually posts. I completed a complete novella using writer’s prompts for each chapter. The prompts listed ten random words and I used these in my online serial novel entitled, Hidden Monsters. It’s a spin-off from my debut novel, Finding Monsters. Here is a link!
I think if I had the opportunity, I would like to have dinner with Amanda Hockings and pick her brain on e-book marketing. It is one of my weaknesses and she seemed to have a very good handle on creating her platform and getting her books out there. As far as a fictional character… mmm how about a cartoon, Toothless from How to Train your Dragon, I only want a ride…that’s all!
Like this:Like Loading...
Introduction - ArmchairBEA!
May 25, 2013
Last 10K Words - Becoming Monsters
I’m sitting on an outdoor patio at a restaurant overlooking St Petersburg with a view of the bay, sail boats and pelicans. Ordering fish tacos for lunch and watching the pigeons waddle between tables hoping for a loose french fry.
Not a bad place to finish off the last 10K words for “Becoming Monsters”!
Here is an excerpt from the beginning:
Cemetery
Darkness hung like an eerie shroud around the Lakeside Cemetery. Black, massive and completely camouflaged in the night stalked predator padding soundless through the memorial markers. His ears perked up as he neared a small marker where two teens huddled. He listened to their whispered conversation; there were no other sounds around.
“We should get going,” he said, breaking the hushed conversation.
Missy and Charlie rose and followed in silence behind the large black dog. Saal, kept his ears trained forward as they moved toward a large wooded area. Once beyond the tree line, they picked up speed, heading toward the highway. Saal almost relaxed when he heard them. A low menacing growl rumbled up his throat and his lips peeled back to reveal razor-sharp canines. Charlie seized Missy’s arm and laid a firm hand on the dog’s raised hackles. Three figures emerged from the foggy haze to stand before them. The largest of them, a dark-skinned man who stood well over six feet stepped forward and bowed.
“Your Highness, we were not aware of your travels to the human realm. We would have made arrangements to meet you.
“I’m surprised you found me so quickly. This is an unplanned trip.” Charlie’s clipped speech rose in irritation. They were good to have tracked them so quickly.
“I shall inform King Atian of your safe arrival,” the man in charge said.
“Delay that order. We have an urgent matter to attend to. My father needn’t know of our arrival just yet. We require you to take us to this location,” Charlie handed the man the name of the museum where Missy’s vision had taken place. The man hesitated, caught between standing orders and a direct one from a lower source. “Now,” Charlie added with the right about of authority and heat. Without another word, the three men lead the way back toward a side street where a black passenger van sat idling. They entered the address of de Young Museum into the GPS and headed toward San Francisco, California.
“The drive should take us around three hours. Will you need our services for the duration of your stay?”
“No, however, we will need a few provisions,” Charlie said as he glanced back toward Missy. She sat behind the driver of the minivan. He looked older than the others and remained silent during their brief encounter. Saul lay stretched out and napping on the back seat, leaving little room for the other man, who looked crammed into the small space and completely uncomfortable.
“We will need an apartment not far from the address you are taking us to. We also need modern clothing, currency and a computer with internet access,” Missy said, ticking off the items on her list.
The driver nodded and finally spoke. “General Hanes, please give her Highness your communication device, ah cell phone, just in case they need to contact us.” General Hanes pulled his cell phone from his breast pocket and handed it to Missy. “Speed dial#1 if you need help.”
“Thank you, and the rest?” She pressed.
“We have an apartment on standby that should suit your needs. It is stocked with the items you requested, but unfortunately we do not have appropriate clothing for you, your Highness. Not many of our women travel to this realm.”
“I think I can manage,” Missy said. Charlie glanced in the rearview mirror and caught the flush filling her cheeks at the General’s use of the royal title to address her. He smiled.
Missy gazed out the window at the city lights as they faded into the background. The sound of ocean waves cresting and traffic hummed like a soft lullaby. Her world seemed different or rather, her eyes saw it differently. If felt foreign, strange, loud and no longer like her home. The monster realm was her home now, the place she belonged. She ticked of the months since she’d been gone. Over a year had passed since she found herself in a world full of monsters, fighting against them, fighting with them, falling in love. She turned her eyes to Charlie, her own personal monster, her only connection between worlds. He’d saved her from dying and had been with her throughout her quests. Charlie caught her gaze and gave her a brilliant smiled. Her tummy fluttered and she turned away blushing, a shy smile on her lips. Their union had grown stronger since the joining ceremony. Their minds in sync to each other, knowing the emotions of the other. Although technically married, they kept their physical relationship to a minimum. A promise both agreed to when she first started her quest to become a monster and although the quests were over, her biggest fight and perhaps most dangerous quest still lay ahead. Missy stared at her hands willing flames to appear. Nothing. Anukhan had stolen her blue light, the thing that made her a monster and gave her the ability to protect herself. Her heart felt sick, not knowing what he planned to do with the power he stole. The horrible possibilities made her anxious. She felt Charlie’s presence in her mind.
“We’ll get it back,” he thought.
“I hope so.”
Like this:Like Loading...
Last 10K Words - Becoming Monsters
May 23, 2013
True Origin - Chapter 8 - Beyond Pacifica
[image error]
Photo credit: kqedquest / Foter.com / CC BY-NC
Soft light filtered through Del’s eyelids gently pulling her from sleep. She stirred and opened her eyes to golden sunbeams muted against a large shell. She lay on soft silken covers cocooned in an enormous clam shell. Del pushed against the cover and it swung open with ease. She found herself in an ultra modern bedroom with polished floors and walls made of shell. A frosted arch marked the door less entrance to the room giving it a since of privacy. Del scanned the rest of the room and found Kyran dressed in all white and lounging in a chair in the corner with his feet propped up on an aqua footstool.
“Where is Kira?” Del asked coming to a sitting position. She too wore an all white, a silky sun dress and hoped Kira had changed her.
“Requesting audience with the King. He’s not going to like having you here. It is strictly forbidden.”
“Then why did she bring me here?” Del asked. She swung her feet over the clam’s edge but looked unsure of how to get out. Kyran crossed the room and plucked her from the shell, carried her to the chair and placed her in it. “Thanks,” she said.
“Kira won’t tell me anything until we see the King.”
“Why are you here?’ Del asked. She knew he openly resented her presence there and it showed on his face.
“To keep you safe. If the guards found out, they might be inclined to throw you to the sharks. The real ones.”
Del swallowed an imaginary obstruction in her throat just as Kira entered the room. She passed through the frosted doorway making it wisp around her like smoke before it solidified again.
“The King has granted us audience. He is eager to meet you and hear what happened topside.”
Del’s heart grew heavy in her chest. She felt less eager to explain herself to their king.
Kira gave her a warm smile. “It will be ok, I promise, Delphina.” Kyran checked the passageways before Del and Kira followed him into the hall. They moved quickly and ducked out of sight when others came near. They finally reached a deserted passageway leading directly to the King’s throne room.
“Is this Atlantis?” Del whispered. She remembered the location of the fabled city rumored to be in many places but not here.
“Atlantis!” Kyran scoffed. “Every diehard historical extremist obsesses over finding Atlantis. No, we are its sister city, Pacifica. The humans of Atlantis became enslaved to their industrial revolution. It is often said the gods caused their city to fall. But in fact, their advancements came at a deadly price. Now it lies uninhabited at the bottom of the sea.”
“Which sea?” Del asked, the scholar inside eager to know. Kyran gave her a withering glance before he turned back and pushed through a set of elegantly carved double doors. The symbol of Neptune decorated the massive doors in white and yellow gold. Del kept her eyes averted as they approached the throne and Pacifica’s imposing King. He sat high on a white throne with guards on either side. As they moved closer, she heard the king suck in a sharp breath. She looked up and their eyes met.
“A human? What have you done Kira?” he said coming to his feet in disbelief.
“Please, let me explain,” Kira said but the guard were already in motion.
“It is forbidden! Guards!” Five guards rushed to obey the will of their king.
“No!” Kira yelled as two guards pulled Del from her grasp. Two more held Kyran as he struggled to free himself. Another pulled Kira aside. The King struck his triton against the ground three times. Del watched in horror as a great white pushed through the double doors. It sailed on the thick humid air pushing itself like a sidewinder, to and fro.
“Father! Listen to me!” Kira pleaded.
“Whatever it is, Kira, say it now!” Kyran yelled as he fought his way out of the soldiers’ grips. He wrestled a triton away from one and used it to defeat the other. Kyran dove head first across the expanse and landed in a crouch in front of Del to face the teeth of the great white.
“Father she’s a mermaid!” Kira yelled.
Like this:Like Loading...
True Origin - Chapter 8 - Beyond Pacifica
May 20, 2013
In Too Deep
Photo credit: NOAA’s National Ocean Service / Foter.com / CC BY
The intense burn lasted a few seconds before it died away. Delphina’s confused look sent a ripple of laughter through the mermaid who kissed her cheek and pulled her down through the dark waters. Del couldn’t help laughing too. She felt her neck and the gill slits now processing oxygen instead of her lungs. The sulking mako followed behind them like a loyal but lethal bodyguard.
They floated just above the bottom through a bed of kelp, through a rock tunnel and out into an area much deeper than Del would have thought. They continued down, the last light of the surface now gone. Luminescent fish and other sea creatures shed light on the undiscovered world of the deep and they continued their descent. Del kept her eyes wide, searching for any signs of danger. Strange and scary creatures swam around but kept their distance. A curious plesiosaur got the closest but decided against any contact. As they continued descending, light began to glow beneath them like A distance beacon lit up like a torch pulling them toward it. The mako rushed ahead and cut off their path.
“Kira, what is your interest in the girl. You aren’t seriously thinking of taking her there.” He gestured with his nose toward the glowing area before them.
“Yes, Kyran, where did you think I was going?”
They swam closer and Del’s mouth fell open. The light radiated for a brilliant underwater city with tall spires and odd buildings nestled adjacent to gardens of colorful plants, anemones and coral.
“I won’t allow it!” the shark snapped. He angled his massive body to block them.
“You don’t have a choice,”Kyran. She sent out a shock wave that tossed the shark several yards away. She increased her grip on Del’s arm and shot toward the city. Kira launched them up toward the surface. Sparkles like sunbeams bouncing off glitter engulfed the mermaid’s lower body. Del shut her eyes from the brightness of it. They broke through the surface and landed softly on moss covered earth. The air around them felt humid and thick. Del coughed and sucked in air before she opened her eyes. Kira held fast to her waist, keeping her upright but what Del noticed next were Kira’s legs. Del opened her mouth to speak but the shark appeared next.
Kyran launched himself from the waters and seemed to sour through the air as if still swimming. Del felt her heart sink. She struggled away and pain shot through her legs sending her to the ground. She turned back to see Kyran closing in on her, his teeth bare and frothing.
“What caused that accident, human? The gas alone will exact vengeance on the island until the ecosystem is rined. Others will come and investigate and try to make improvements to the situation but they will fail.” Kyran’s whole body lit up with the sparkling glitter until he stood over her as a man. His menacing stare boring into her. “If they find this place, the humans will destroy it!” he roared.
Del coward away from his accusations but knew it to be true. The call to action would be heard nationwide, even worldwide. Their lynch mob attitude would insist divers scour the site and they would find her wrecked dingy. The Greek government and all in their employment would be tasked to make sure it wasn’t their fault. Del tried to get away but her legs screamed in protest. In the end, all she could do was cry.
“Leave her alone! She’s hurt,” Kira said pushing Kyran away.
“And leaking,” Kyran said.
“You hurt her feelings too, you jerk!” Kira hissed. She pulled Del to her chest and held her there. Del tried to stop the tears but she felt sick over it all.
Kira gave a high pitched whistled. A sleigh floated on the air toward them and pulling it were two giant sea horses.
“Put her on the sleigh, Kyran. Please, brother. She needs our help.”
Like this:Like Loading...
In Too Deep
May 19, 2013
Beyond Pacifica
Hidden Monsters
Serial Novels
Eat Your Cereal
Writing online serial novels provides small bite size entertainment and fun.
I first thought about writing a serial while responding to writer’s prompts on the Creative Copy Challenge blog. I would write a few continuations using the ten word prompts to push the story along. I wrote a three series zombie story, a few series related to my debut novel, Finding Monsters and an upcoming novel entitle Chasing Monsters. Those were fun but I never thought of writing a complete story using the writing prompts, until recently…. so I did!
Read Your Serials!
Hidden Monsters
Jillian finds out her father is not from the human world but having a father who is a wolf has it’s advantages especially when the government wants to dissect you and other monsters are out to kill you.
With her mother missing and time running out, Jill must learn to fight against deadly monsters, hide from cruel scientist and embrace her none human roots before school starts.
The first complete story written using writer’s prompts.
Start Reading Here!
Beyond Pacifica –
This next online serial novel involves, mermaids, time travel and a hidden civilization.
Start Reading Here!
Like this:Like Loading...
Serial Novels
Songs for The Serial - Beyond Pacifica
All The Right Moves – One Republic
The Remedy – Jason Mraz
Madness – Muse
Love The Way You Lie – Eminem & Rihanna (falling from a window scene pictured here)
Danger Zone – Gwen Stefani
Which one is your favorite?
Don’t be shy! Drop me a comment!
Like this:Like Loading...
Songs for The Serial - Beyond Pacifica
May 18, 2013
White People Almost Kissing, a book by Nicholas Sparks - Imgur
White People Almost Kissing, a book by Nicholas Sparks – Imgur.
I couldn’t resist sharing the fun!
Any Nicolas Sparks fans out there?
Which is your favorite?
Like this:Like Loading...
White People Almost Kissing, a book by Nicholas Sparks - Imgur
April 11, 2013
Mingling Myths and Monsters with Mortals
- Liss Thomas's profile
- 102 followers
![[image error]](http://lissthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/coral-reef-5.jpg){kind=link}
![[image error]](http://lissthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/trix-are-for-kids.jpg){kind=link}
![[image error]](http://lissthomas.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/05/book-reading.jpg){kind=link}