Friday, June 24, 2011

Progress and a Retrospective

I've been doing a lot of writing and I can 'see' the end of "Under the Ember Star." My pace as slowed but I know the end is in reach and I have a pretty good idea of what has to happen and when. There's still going to be some feeling my way through. In the meantime, I thought I might be lazy today and post a scene from my first novel, from Cold in the Light. I'm still very proud of this book. Kargen, who is mentioned in the scene below, is probably the best villain I ever created. I believed when I finished it that 'everyone' would love this book. You know, I still think that. Or at least I think they should. :)

Kargen's war-band followed swiftly along the scent trail of their leader, moving like an animated wind through the forest, flowing around tree trunks, leaping over fallen logs, rushing as quick as air through the night. They passed a ruined helicopter and the torn bodies of humans, one of them without a head. But they did not stop.

The kill-smell on each of the dead bore the mark of Kargen, and it injected enough of a stimulant to quiver their war-spikes and raise spines all across their heads. It made them run faster, and faster, down hills and up, until they crossed a road of bare ruts through the dark woods.

The band's warriors no longer cared about the strange odors underlying their leader's scent pattern. Blood and violence made too heady a perfume. It overwhelmed any reservations they might have had. Kargen killed, and because of that he led. They only wanted to join with him in hauling down the prey, in tearing it to froth. Their teeth hurt with the thought.

Then, as one, the band slowed, came to a drifting stop in a meadow where wild flowers of purple and white bloomed. A wetness flared their nostrils, the raw signature of a not too distant stream. And painted among the wet were the threaded fragrances of Kargen and the Mother and of humans. And, too, of a place.

A killing ground.
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22 comments:

Lisa said...

Hello Charles,it is the best feeling to feel when you feel what you write is loved by others. it is also a feeling i find hard to develop lately.

Tom Doolan said...

Color me intrigued. On both works. :)

Charles Gramlich said...

Ocean girl, I liked your piece today very much. I couldn't find the comment button so just clicked on "Love it."

Tom, glad to hear it. I imagine you might like Cold in the Light. The Warkind in that book are pretty close to Orcs, man. :)

Tom Doolan said...

Just added it to my Wish List at Amazon. And I'd like to add that I think it's wicked cool that two of your review snippets are from Pro Wrestler Lance Storm. :)

Charles Gramlich said...

Tom, I was pleased as punch about that myself.

Deka Black said...

A scene... pretty scary. Ignore the dead bodies i fear is a thing they usually notdo.

Golden Eagle said...

Chilling scene. Great description, too--I could clearly picture the band.

ivan said...

Good writing.

In whatever genre!

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

Excellent scene!
And I didn't think anyone would like my book...

pattinase (abbott) said...

I'm in one of those places where none of the things I've started seem particularly compelling.

BernardL said...

Very enjoyable excerpt.

Oscar Case said...

"Blood and violence made too heady a perfume." right on.

Charles Gramlich said...

Deka Black, The Warkind, which is what this scene shows, are some pretty bad ass creatures.

The Golden Eagle, thankee. I was happy with this scene.

ivan, thanks, man. I appreciate it.

alex J. Cavanaugh, I really had huge hopes for Cold in the Light. I like how it turned out, but sales were not huge.

pattinase, I think every writer feels that at times. Of course, the feelings don't really matter. it's whether people like it truly that matters.

BernardL, thanks, I thought you might appreciate it. Cold is kind of along the lines of the stuff you write.

Oscar, there's definitely blood and violence in this one.

Tyhitia Green said...

Very good scene. I pictured it as I read. :-D

X. Dell said...

Good luck and keep on writing while the writin's good.

Cloudia said...

You've been productive!


How about Game of Thrones? Seen da show?




Aloha from Waikiki


Comfort Spiral

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jodi said...

Charles, I have a very good sense of smell, and your descriptions have pungency!

Ron Scheer said...

Finally got around to it. Check Buddies in the Saddle tomorrow for a review of KILLING TRAIL.

Charles Gramlich said...

Tyhitia Green, thanks, that's what I was hoping for.

X. Dell, I know. Someday I'll regret the writing time I've wasted. Maybe today.

Cloudia, I haven't seen it yet. I don't get cable. I'd probably like it though.

jodi, I have no sense of smell, which is one reason I tried so hard to work smell into that book. I'm glad it worked for this scene.

Ron Scheer, hey, thanks. I appreciate that, man.

Charles Gramlich said...

Sidney, thanks.

Travis Cody said...

Great scene. I'm enmeshed in Charles Todd's Inspector Rutledge series at the moment. I've been meaning to read Cold in the Light, and perhaps I shall after I finished the Rutledge books.

Charles Gramlich said...

Travis cody, I haven't read any of those. Will have to check them out. I'm actually not a huge mystery reader.