Six Sentence Sunday

Here's another six from FORESHADOW, book one of The Shadow Imperium! How would you like to have Rae's crazy nightmares?

The fog thickened around me and began to coalesce. I could hear laughter echoing from within the fog. It was horrifying. I couldn’t get past whatever was forming behind me. I threw my hands over my head in a futile attempt to protect myself and crouched down, sobbing hysterically. I was expecting the worst, but praying for a miracle . . .


© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Six Sentence Sunday

             I had no idea where Logan had gotten his skill with swords. Maybe it was just a natural outcome of his training in self-defense. His two swords moved as if they were two halves of the same weapon and that weapon was an extension of him.

            The fight moved so quickly I could barely see what was happening. One of the devils’ swords caught one of Logan’s weapons. The flats of the blades slid across each other and Logan’s wrist twisted, his sword clattering to the floor.

© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Six Sentence Sunday

Here's another six sentences from FORESHADOW, book one of the Shadow Imperium series:

            “Can anyone tell me something about Zoroastrianism?” he asked.

            Tristan, sitting on the other side of me, raised his hand. When Mr. Villar pointed at him, he answered, “They worship a Creator called Ahura Mazda.”

            “Hey, I’m down with Zoroastrianism—I could worship my car!” Logan cut in with a laugh.

            “Ahura Mazda is not the same as your car,” I shot back, rolling my eyes.

            “Who do you think the car was named after?” he asked sarcastically.

Want more of Logan's obnoxiousness? Check back next Sunday!

© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Fun Fact Friday: No Sophomore Slump

On Sunday, I typed the last words of the first draft of “Overshadow”. If you haven’t heard me talk about “Overshadow” yet, it’s my second book (book two of the Shadow Imperium series). I was even more excited and nervous about it than I was about “Foreshadow”, my first novel and the first book in the Shadow Imperium series. I was excited because I really wanted to continue Raena, Logan and Andrei’s story. I was nervous because it’s my second novel. I had a hard enough time completing the first one. Could I do it again?

I’ve heard it said that a lot of people want to write a book, but very few (2%, research says) actually do. Even fewer complete a second book. Some do, but the second book just isn’t quite “as good” as the first. They call this the “sophomore slump”. Granted, no one has read “Overshadow” yet. Even my beta reader hasn’t finished it. I don’t know if it’s any good. I hope it is. All I know is that I had a lot of fun writing it, and I cried when I finished it.

It probably makes me sound crazy to say that I cried when I finished writing “Overshadow”. I didn’t cry because it was over. I cried because I got so caught up in Raena’s emotions that I felt as though I were experiencing everything with her. She’s become so real to me. If that makes me crazy, so be it. I’d rather be a little crazy if it means I’m able to bring readers a believable character.

“Overshadow” is far from being done. It still needs editing and expanding. This was just the first draft. I’m already outlining book three, tentatively titled “Queen of Shadows”. I’ll probably cry when that one’s done too. Hopefully by then, you will all be able to follow Raena’s story with me. I hope you love her as much as I do.

© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written or artwork) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Thursday Photos: Capitola pier

I already posted this photo on my Facebook page last week, but I thought I'd post it on here so I could talk about it a little.

This has to be one of my favorite photos that I've taken. My dad and I got up at 5:00 am and rushed out to Capitola beach to get photos before the sun came up. This was taken just before sunrise (not that the sun came out--the fog didn't burn off until around 8 or 9 that morning).

I'd almost forgotten how foggy it can really be early in the morning in Capitola, even in the summer. Looking at this picture, it's easy to tell why my character Raena is afraid of the pier, even if you don't factor in her nightmares.

This photo will most likely end up on my website as the backsplash/header. I'll see what my husband decides, since he's the one building my website.


© Brea Essex 2011 ~ No part of this site (written, artwork or photography) may be reproduced in anyway whatsoever without express written consent by Brea Essex.

Playlist Archive: Bad Romance

I thought today I would share a song from my Foreshadow playlist: Bad Romance by A Smile From The Trenches. Now, I know this is originally a Lady Gaga song, but once my friend showed me this version, I just had to stick it on my playlist.

Now, I don't generally do a song per chapter when I write. I tend to just choose songs for my playlists that go with the theme of certain scenes, or relationships. I chose this song because I thought it fits Rae and Andrei's relationship. The two of them definitely have a bad, crazy romance going on.

Fun Fact Friday: Similarities

Today kicks off Fun Fact Friday, where I’ll be posting various facts about my books, my research, and myself.

A lot of the time, an author’s different characteristics will find their way into their characters. I don’t necessarily mean that the author will make the characters fictional versions of themselves, but sometimes there will be similarities. So, just for fun, here are five similarities between my character Raena Davenport from the Shadow Imperium series and me:

1. We’re both addicted to diet soda.
2. Our favorite colors are teal and emerald green (although not together).
3. We’re both afraid of mirrors in the dark.
4. Kelp grosses us out.
5. We’re both completely convinced that wooden piers, no matter how stable looking, would collapse with one strong earthquake.

I’ll be back next week with some more facts!

Character Archive: Casting Raena Davenport

Beginning today, I’ll be posting character interviews, “castings” and songs from my play lists every Monday. I’m going to begin with my casting of Raena Davenport. She’s the protagonist in the Shadow Imperium series, so I thought it made sense to start with her. I tend to “cast” actors as my characters, because I like to have a visual approximation when I write.

 I chose Sophia Bush to “play” Raena. She’s definitely how I picture Rae. Sophia Bush is currently acting on the TV show One Tree Hill, but she’s also in a movie I love called John Tucker Must Die. Here are a couple of clips of her in action . . .

John Tucker Must Die - I'm Dating John Tucker
Tags: John Tucker Must Die - I'm Dating John Tucker

Check back next Monday for an interview with Rae!