The Unfiltered Reality Nestled in the Pages of Shattered
Forged Series: Description of Literary Easter Eggs, Part 1
To learn more about the FORGED series, visit the Table of Contents.
Social Media vs. Reality (before there was social media)
A couple of weeks back, my publisher created a series of social media posts that put the spotlight on several literary Easter eggs Iβd included in Shattered, book of the Forged series.
In preparation, I went over my notes Iβd kept (see this video for what the process looked like when I was trudging through the developmental edits on Merged, book two in the series) of the tasty tidbits Iβd nestled within the pages of Tessaβs story. At first, I wasnβt sure that Iβd be able to find enough material to make the campaign. Shockingly, I had more than enough. (Notice how I titled this newsletter βpart oneβ? Thatβs because there may be another series of posts to describe in the futureβ¦)
From my notes, I gave my publisher a dozen or so references to my life that made the final version of the published novel. Thatβs not to say my list was complete. No, in fact, I know it is incomplete. This last weekend, a friend was telling me that she had made it to my book on her TBR pile, and she loved how I snuck a reference to our husbandsβ band name. I smiled and nodded along. Then I quickly searched the ebook to find the reference because I couldnβt remember placing the Easter egg. Lo and behold, I did! Proof that the author doesnβt even realize all the real-life things that pour out from the brain to the page.
Now, on to the context for social media posts that started on July 14th.
The Canal
Each time I fly and luck out to get a window seat, I love to watch civilization morph from ants to Matchbox cars to full-sized vehicles. The capillaries of streets, rivers, and canals cutting across the patchwork of broccoli bunches, Monopoly structures, and rugs of every shade of green and brown are fascinating. I used to make up stories for the tiny people living in my miniature world.
Flying into or out of the Boise airport offers a special treatβtracing the path of the New York Canal. Since my childhood home in SE Boise backed up to the canal, I can easily find our house from the air.
Fun Fact: There are over 1,500 miles of canals that irrigate over 165,000 acres of land in the Treasure Valley. The New York Canal is the largest of the waterways pulling water from the Boise River.
I placed Clari & Finn's house in the same general location as my childhood home, which means that Tessa hears the same nighttime sounds that I fell asleep to most summer nights.
The moon glowed an eerie reddish hue into my bedroom. Cricket sounds bounced off the steep slope of the canal wall behind the house and echoed into the night. Although my windows were wide open in anticipation of the windy forecast, the branches of the willow trees stood motionless.
Excerpt from Shattered, book one of the FORGED Series, published by Provender Press, 2025.
Whatβs SUP
My 200-Hour Yoga Teacher Training included a section on paddleboard yoga. Even though I was never much of a water kid, I fell in love with SUPs. Shortly after completing my certification, I jumped at the opportunity to purchase two boards. They donβt get nearly enough water time. I wish I could be out on a paddleboard more often.
As we enter August, I once again find that the boards have stayed on their storage racks most weekends. At the end of summer, I tell myself, maybe next summer. Or when I retire?
Tessa also loves yoga and paddleboarding. And though she doesnβt do any paddleboard yoga in Shattered, I bet she would love to spend more time on a board doing just that. When Isaiah invites her to Lucky Peak Reservoir for the day, the two of them paddle around Kairos Island together.
βEver been on a SUP?β Isaiahβs eyes sparked in the bright sunlight.
Excerpt from Shattered, book one of the FORGED Series, published by Provender Press, 2025.
Guilty Pleasure
Iβm a firm believer in moderation. No need to deny yourself completely of something that brings you pleasure, but also, no need to overindulge. Too much of a good thing is no longer a good thing, right?
When it comes to food, there are two items Iβve discovered that I canNOT have in the house or I will consume all of it in unhealthy amounts. Nutella and Cheetos. (No, I donβt eat them together! The best way to eat Nutella is with a spoon. Duh! And the best way to eat Cheetos is one right after another until the bag is empty.)
I only allow myself Cheetos when I get a sandwich from the local βtrain houseββa sandwich shop that looks like a house and has a toy train chug, chug, chugging along a track around the restaurant. In Shattered, Isaiah grabs a bag of the cheesy, crunchy goodness when they finish paddleboarding.
He shrugged and gave me a lopsided grin. βI have two weaknesses. One of them is cheese puffs.β He ripped open the bag, and the distinctive aroma of the unnaturally colored snack was, admittedly, appealing.
Excerpt from Shattered, book one of the FORGED Series, published by Provender Press, 2025.
Any guesses what is Isaiahβs other weakness?
This post is public, so feel free to share it. (Someone in your community might be interested too!)
Feel it Resonate
I was a cheerleader my senior year in high school. Although I was on the track (for football) or the floor (for basketball) cheering at most games, I also remember being in the stands. I remember the feeling of the crowd moving as one unit. The bleachers would bounce when the student body cheered after a game-winning point.
Tessa attended a high school soccer game and experienced the bounce of the bleachers after Cara scored a goal.
A chorus of βGooooaaaallll?β echoed through the stands.
Iβd never in my life heard a roar as deafening as the jubilation of the BHS student section. The bleachers were bouncing with the pounding of hundreds of feet. The power of the crowd echoed in my bones. Jenna wrapped her arms around me to celebrate, and I was thankful because otherwise I probably wouldβve fallen and been trampled in the chaos.
Excerpt from Shattered, book one of the FORGED Series, published by Provender Press, 2025.
And finally, back to the pink room
When envisioning the room that young Contessa had in her familyβs home, I (of course) pictured the room as one of my early bedrooms. (My family moved a lot, so I was fortunate enough to be able to βupdateβ my bedroom, which I figured would not have been the case for the Wright familyβ¦ she wouldnβt have changed her room, having lived in the same house her entire life).
That is to say, her room was pink and flowery (see the photos at the top of this post). Tessa remembers the walls of her room glowing in the setting sun.
Now, you might wonder why I included two photos of my pink room. Itβs not proof that even before social media existed, there was an unfiltered reality to my roomβs appearance. No, the photo on the right is my parentsβ proof that I once decided to move out. When I was five years old.
Yep, Iβd had it with my family. I was determined that I (and all my stuff) was going to pack up and move to my cousinβs house. Needless to say, I did not get to move in with my cousin. Instead, my parents reacted by belly laughing and taking photographic evidence of the mess. And made me put all of my things away. Then, Mom proceeded to put the photo in the family albums. Thanks, Mom.
And so that is the truth behind the Easter egg posts 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. And what is hinted at in the last post.
What Iβm reading
Here are some other dystopian and SciFi fiction pieces available on and off Substack that you might also enjoy.
Sunrise on the Reaping - I finally read the latest in the Hunger Games series by Suzanne Collins. Iβd placed a library hold on both the audiobook and ebook as soon as they were available on my local libraryβs platform. The audiobook became available first, so I listened every free moment (in my car, grocery shopping, cooking dinnerβ¦). So. Good. Now I want to go back and read all the rest of the book!
Aubade - I read
βs self-described βspace opera for all you sci-fi fans who love Ripley and Sarah Connor and all the strong female leads in action moviesβ and it did not disappoint! A fast-paced, sci-fi adventure read with heavy dystopian overtones.- shifted gears with her summer serial and is now giving us a dystopian view of Western Washington. Having spent some time in the Yelm area and being in sight of Mt. St. Helenβs (on a clear day), Iβm fascinated by where she is going to take us on this adventure! The first episode is titled The Fool. Hop in now! She is only a couple of episodes into the storyline.
Before you go
Did you enjoy this post? Click subscribe so you donβt miss future posts. Tap the heart to let me know. Restack your favorite quote. Share with your community. Recommend me to your followers. Leave a comment.
Upcoming Events & Happenings
Saturday, August 9th, Third Street Books, McMinnville, Oregon - Iβll be the featured author at the indie bookstore, Third Street Books, in the historic downtown McMinnville during MacFresco. More info to come.
Wednesday, August 13th, 9am Pacific / 11am Central About a year ago, I came across
over on Instagram. Iβve been following her trajectory, and Iβm amazed at the momentum sheβs building. An inspiration, indeed! Weβve messaged back and forth several times, cheering each other on and celebrating each otherβs triumphs. And guess what! We finally get to speak to one another! Join us for a Substack LIVE event. It might just be me fan girling over her, but seriously, come hang out with us. Maybe even drop us questions in the chat.Bonus Materials! Sign up to receive companion novellas as soon as they become available. Jump inside the head of Isaiah Iverson. Find out what really happens during the Remote Thought Intervention sessions at Dr. Weaverβs office. And learn more about Julia Rykerβs rise to power and the foundations that created the Underground. Sign up HERE.
Okay, I'm taking the bait - Isaiah's other weakness is definitely Tessa!
Though knowing your love of food details, it could also be something deliciously specific like dark chocolate or good coffee.
Paddleboard yoga sounds amazing!
Happy Thursday, friend.
Dark chocolate is on my list too! Iβve got two boardsβ¦ when and where should we meet??? ππ»ββοΈ ππ»