Parents always have a favorite (even when they say they don't)
Forged Series: Picking my favorites from Shattered
To learn more about the FORGED series, visit the Table of Contents.
Countdown is on
As the countdown to the launch of Shattered, book one of the Forged series, approaches, I find myself anticipating your reactions, dear reader. I wonder what scene will hit you the hardest? Which character will resonate with you the most? What visual will stand out the brightest?
This also means I’ve been thinking of my “favorites” in the first book. Granted, I have a bit of storyline entanglement. I’ve read book one numerous times—way too many to count—but I’m also pulling book one edits forward while re-editing book two, which muddles the order of the storyline in my head.
Also, how can I pick a favorite!?! In my yoga and fitness classes, I often joke with students that it’s okay to pick favorites between your children but never between your left or right foot—give each side equal attention in your poses. The truth is, Z-man is my favorite first-born, and I-hawk will always be my favorite second-born.
And so it goes with books. And characters. They are all my favorites… in their own special way.
But for you, I’m gonna try to narrow it down.
Favorite Scene
Many of my favorite parts of the story are between Tessa and Isaiah. Isaiah is immediately drawn to the “new chica from the Wilds” and makes it his mission to ease Tessa’s transition to life in the urban center. Their budding romance has sweet, tender moments offset by awkward, nervous exchanges.
This moment is where Tessa realizes that Isaiah is more than the popular jock. She realizes what he hides from the other students and is touched by his vulnerability.
I rolled to my side and propped my head up to study his profile. His eyes glazed with a flicker of sadness. He sighed then turned his face to me, all traces of heartache gone. A lopsided grin brightened his countenance and made me grin in response.
My focus shifted to the painting on the wall behind him. I could now pick out some of the shapes among all the colors. The muted night sky, as viewed from the rooftop. “Isaiah … did you paint the murals?”
He groaned and covered his face with both hands. “Yes.” His muffled response was reluctant. “If it’s awful, don’t tell me. I never intended for anyone to see them.”
I sat up and gazed around the space, section by section. Taking in the colors and emotions again, but with better understanding, knowing that this boy—this funny, caring boy—painted the scenes.
Excerpt from Shattered, book one of the FORGED Series, coming in 2025 from Provender Press
Don’t get me wrong, Isaiah is very much the popular jock you remember from high school. He makes crude jokes with his friends. Talks a lot about comics and superheroes. Loves all sports. Has a smile that would blind you with a sparkle if he were in a campy movie. Swoon-worthy eyes below hair you want to run your hands through. The teachers like him. For his classmates on the receiving end, his acknowledgment can make their day.
Behind the public persona is a boy trying to figure out who he is and wants to be. And he is smitten by the new girl, who lacks the social experience to recognize his attention as wanting to be more than friends.
The development of their relationship was a wonderful thread to pull, and I hope you enjoy the unraveling when you read the story.
This post is public, so feel free to share it. (Someone in your community might be interested too!)
Favorite (non-main) Character
Oh, this is a really tough one to pick. Picking one of the main characters feels like cheating. I spent so much time in each of the main characters’ heads that they are all special to me. (Plus, it might give too much away before you read the story to explain why they are my favorite.) So, I’m going to give you my favorite non-main character.
Marcos is one of the Elites and a good friend of Zeke. When I created the cast of characters, I thought Marcos would have a more significant role. He ended up more like the oddball sidekick. Not the Robin to Zeke’s Batman. More of Pippin to Frodo.
Yep, he was a fun one to show his quirks. He is like the puppy dog that just woke up from a nap. All limbs and energy. Instead of incessantly nipping at your heels, he is a non-stop talker. Always spinning yarns. It doesn’t matter if you are listening to him or not; he is talking. In book one, Tessa witnesses Marcos, mostly from a distance. In book two, she really gets to experience his superpower of talking.
Marcos was talking and eating. I wasn’t sure what story he was sharing because all I could do was watch in amazement. How did any food stay in his mouth as he talked?
“See.” Jenna nudged my shoulder. “Boys are disgusting.”
Excerpt from Shattered, book one of the FORGED Series, coming in 2025 from Provender Press
Favorite Visual
One aspect of high school that has stuck with me is the experience of moving in a crowd. These days, I’m more hesitant being in large crowds and all the potential germs (thanks, COVID-19, for that PTSD-like after-effect). But I clearly remember moving through a crowded hallway during passing periods of high school. Jostling along with the rest of the herd, all while trying to shift from one side to the other so I could pop out of the crowd at the intended door or hallway.
Capturing Tessa as she experienced the halls of Bannock High School gave me several opportunities to evoke the feeling of having little control over her movement in the crowd.
I gathered my tablet and bag and let myself be swept along in the noisy mass exodus of students from the classroom. I imagined we were the magma flow from the last eruption of Mount Hood, covering multiple towns on its way to Silver Lake. We ebbed and flowed around obstacles, bottlenecked at narrow passages, and spread out with viscous tentacles through open spaces.
Excerpt from Shattered, book one of the FORGED Series, coming in 2025 from Provender Press
Final Stretch
Bringing Shattered to readers is in the final stages of publishing. I can hardly believe that ARCs are in the hands of my Street Team members! Soon, people from all over can order the book and read the words I’ve poured so much time and energy into creating.
As frightening as it is to release this to others, it is also a relief. Is it perfect? No. Would I have written differently? Maybe. But only because I’ve learned and grown since Tessa’s story first came out of me. Am I tired of this story? I should be. I’ve read it SO. MANY. TIMES. And yet, every time I’ve read it (edit it, tweak it), I love it a little bit more. I hope you do too!
What to celebrate with me?
Scan the QR code or click the photo above to join me at my book release party. FREE to attend, but limited seating. Reserve your spot (before they are all taken)!
What I’m reading
Since I didn’t include this last week, here are some extra dystopian and SciFi fiction pieces available on (and off) Substack that you might also enjoy.
- ’s story is a fun read. From the quirky names to the obvious set-ups for the chaos to come, you will be entertained.
Cake Day at Area 51 - This short story sets up some good tension.
reminds us to never miss a “cake day,” people! Be ready for a twist at the end.Warp & Woof - This is a bit of a tear-jerker, but
has layered his Sci-Fi novella with suspense and hidden meanings.Riding the Wind - In this Lucas Larch Adventure from
, you will find a rich alternative historical science fiction story about a boy (and his robots) discovering a creative outlet with discarded parts from his father’s airship factory. Steampunk is a little out of my normal reading picks (although I LOVED Cinder, and DW’s world-building in Ring the Wind serial if even more impressive).- , this just keeps getting better and better! Gloria balances the tension of fighting for your beliefs and freedoms with tender moments, reminding us that even in the hardest of times, we must hold onto our humanity. Those who haven’t read this serial yet, start here!
Steel People - I love a future view where society as we know has fallen. And
from gives a wonderfully crafted future we should never want to happen. Read this and be prepared to spot the trend so we can stop from reaching this future ourselves. He is up to chapter 3, so hop into this first chapter and catch up!Grief In Parts - Part of Tessa’s journey in Shattered is her living with grief. I hope I’ve have captured the essence as well as
has in her short story found on . It will make you want to go give your mom a hug and not let go.Immunity - Of the ‘Stack, my current read is this dystopian novel from
. A follow-up to Contagion, Immunity follows the survivors of a deadly planetary outbreak. Not your typical zombie story. High-stakes and fast-paced with a spin on a potentially humanity-ending event.
Before you go
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Good luck with the launch and thanks for the shoutout. I'm up to chapter 4 actually.
Thanks for the shout-out! Two more parts are already out, and the last arrives on Saturday, so hurry if you want the chance for at least a bit of suspense!