Welcome to Six-Sentence Sunday!
Tired of excerpt from CROWN OF ASH yet? No? Good. ;D
This week’s excerpt comes as Cross seeks a way out of the dismal shadow world known as the Whisperlands. Cross’s journey takes him into the ruins of the City of Thorns, where he finds a vital clue as to what the dark creatures who hold reign over the Whisperlands are searching for…
A black corpse waits in the shrine. The ebon warrior kneels in penitence, petrified in reams of ice. Its dead eyes are cast to the ground, and its arms are frozen forward. Its hands grasp at something it will never hold.
He steps closer, and his eyes follow to where the corpse’s fingers reach for something buried beneath the frost on the wall.
He wipes the ice from the stone, and what he sees there chills his heart.
Thanks for stopping by! Be sure to head on over to Six Sunday and check out the other participating authors!
I love the reverence balanced against desperation frozen in the ice. Have you thought about partnering with a graphic novelist? I think your work would be well-suited for the “Hugo” treatment.
Thank you! I’ve received the “graphic novel” suggestion a couple of times. Yeah, I’ve considered it, but probably not until I finish the series. We’ll see!
Thanks, Wendy!
There’s a really vivid immediacy to these six; even more so because of the present tense. A huge amount of tension too – wonderful.
Thank you, Karen! =D
Wonderful in both pace and imagery. Amazing six! And thanks to you I learned a new word today. Penitence.
Thanks, Daniela! I like to educate as well as entertain! LOL
Great 6!
Thank you! =D
Great imagery.
Thanks a ton!
Wendy said it, the balance of reverence and desperation in the corpse’s eternal pose is fantastic and chilling. You do tension and terror so well.
[blush] Thank you, Monica, I appreciate that. =D
I don’t know what it is, but every snippet of yours roots me to the spot. Each sentence has an intense importance that requires one to continue. Fantastic. I don’t know what the hell could chill a man in a place so desolate, but I think it must be terrible.
One of the reason I love Six-Sentence Sunday is that it forces me to search for those parts of my work that I feel have this quality. It’s a terrific exercise!
Thanks, J.M.!
Wow, powerful! You just keep getting better and better. “Its hands grasp at something it will never hold.” Very nice.
I hope you post the next six immediately following this part of your story. What chills his heart???
Thanks, Teresa!
Not to be a tease, but the reader doesn’t get the answer to that question for another several chapters in the book…and it won’t make a ton of sense out of context. You may just have to check out CROWN OF ASH when it comes out and see! (No, that’s not blatant marketing…just being honest. ;D)
Your imagery is amazing. You manage to capture an entire story of this man within six sentences. Just enough of his story to spark intrigue and a desire to know more about him and what he was reaching for.
Great Six, Steven
Thanks a ton! Like I mentioned to J.M., I love Six-Sentence Sunday — really forces you to search for snippets that are well written and that almost tell small stories within themselves. ;D
Very powerful imagery. What did he see????
Thank you. In answer to your question: something he’s seen before, but never thought he’d see ever again. (How’s that for cryptic? ;D)
Burrr….
Amazing imagery!
Very visual. Tense and intriguing.
Thanks everyone! =D