#Urbanfantasy #novel #WieldingCrimson @ $3.68! #read it and #meetthewielders! #Nomorevampires! http://t.co/TQqbKgTo9q pic.twitter.com/n1R3Xb8rDv
— D.M. Enslin (@dm_enslin) September 30, 2014

Quote of the day!

Review from Readers' Favorite

Just a few days ago (it seems like yesterday!) I got my first review for Wielding Crimson from the onlinebookclub.org. I thought it would be a while before I got another one, but I've noticed a definite spurt in action where my novel is concerned! More and more people have shown interest, the sales have gone up at an impressive rate and I got a second review from the acclaimed book review website, Readers' Favorite!

The reviewer, Melinda Hills, gave Wielding Crimson 4 stars! Here is her wonderful review:

"Layla is a world-class star, but is tired of the domineering style of her manager. When she has the chance to take a Greek island vacation, she eagerly agrees and is drawn into a strange world in which she plays a part she knows nothing about. Wielding Crimson, Book I of the Wielding Series by D.M. Enslin delves into the world of Wielders, special beings able to control natural phenomena like wind, water, and even the functions of the human body. Layla is thrust into the middle of an on-going war between two factions and experiences things for which there is no earthly explanation. Falling in love with a Wielder is not a good choice, but that is when things get really crazy! Will Layla survive the battle between good and evil, and does she even know which side she is on? All she wanted was a little freedom to be a ‘normal’ person, but she has ended up living a nightmare from which she may not wake up.

Wielding Crimson by D.M. Enslin is a fast-paced story that pulls the reader into the whirlwind in which Layla finds herself. With plenty of realistic action mixed in with absolutely fantastic superhuman abilities, the story hits the highs and lows of love, loss, hope and despair. Intense emotions and intriguing legends drive the characters, each with his or her own agenda. The surprise ending is the perfect lead into Book 2 of the Wielding Series, which continues the saga of Layla and the Wielders who are trying to restore the balance of the universe."

You can also check it out on the Readers' Favorite website here.

Find Wielding Crimson on Amazon at a new lower price, and soon to appear on the shelves of Barnes and Noble!

1st Official Review of Wielding Crimson!

Reviews! They can be an author's best friend -or worst. They can either "make" a book or "brake" it. They can lift your confidence as an author, or destroy it.

I've spoken with many authors who mention reviews with a grimace or a sigh, others who simply glow at the reminder, so when the time came for me to put my book out there to be reviewed I was understandably nervous.

The thought that a reviewer -that mythical creature who holds your book's fate in his or her fingertips- would scrupulously tear apart every word, every comma, every thought that I had embedded into my novel was terrifying. What if I got a bad review? What if all the work I had put in my novel for the past years was just swept away as rubbish?

So, it was with a clenched stomach that I began researching reviewers online and I began sending my novel out, asking for an honest review. 

Some replied that they didn't review fantasy, others that their workload was full..

Two however agreed, right off the bat. I was so excited!

I patiently waited for almost a month for the reviews to come in, and lo and behold, the very first one appeared one sunny day on my Goodreads page. A 4 star review! Great!

My eyes skimmed over the words, heart beating fast, and my initial glee turned to utter disappointment. The reviewer had simply paraphrased the book description -badly- and got everything wrong too! She hadn't ever read the book. I immediately emailed her, asking her to either correct it or take it down, but I received no answer. It is still there. I would love a review, but I think a wrong review is worse than no review.

Still, I had the second review to look forward to! And surely enough, two long weeks later, there it was!

3 out of 4 stars! And yes, the reviewer had read my novel- and liked it!

I had religiously read and re-read other reviews on the website, beforehand, just to get a feel of what might cost my novel stars, and wow, these reviewers weren't playing around. Typos, feeble and unbelievable characters and weak plots were just a few of their observations concerning other novels... So, I was over the moon to see that the only bad things the reviewer had to say about mine were that the characters were a little hard to keep straight (I always knew this would be an issue -too many of them!), that the mystery is more moderately paced in places and that there are a minimal typos! Music to my ears!

Now, I know my first review was actually the paraphrased version of my book description, but I will always remember this one as my first. 

"The plot is well-developed. The sequencing and storytelling is easy to follow and keeps the mystery alive for the reader. The mix of action and dialogue is well-done and keeps the reader hooked. The story itself was unique and kept me intrigued the whole way through. I also like the definitive changes in point of view and how the chapters seen through the bad guys slowly reveal the mystery and entice the reader."

"Characters are a little hard to keep straight, but are well-developed and entertaining. I especially enjoyed the character dynamic and dialogue."

"The story was unique and the characters were delightful." 

"Readers who like fantasy, mystery, magic, and suspense will enjoy reading this book and eagerly await its sequel."

Reviewer: Kio 

A big thank you to the onlinebookclub.org/  for their wonderful and extremely professional team of reviewers and all the good work they do!

Interview on Indie Author Land

I am very excited to announce my new interview on IndieAuthorLand, a wonderful website where indie authors can showcase and promote their books. It is a great platform for new authors and we should promote it as much as we can -they deserve it.

"If you like escaping from reality, you’ll love my book."

In the interview I speak about my novel 'Wielding Crimson', the characters and what might be coming next!

"All my main characters come to the point where they have to make decisions that might alter the course of their lives, one way or the other. But the most important aspect, is how each of their decisions affect each other."

My favorite question was the last one though -I love how unexpected it was and how imaginative! 

Check out the entire interview here...

New drawing - Layla

It has been a while since my last post, but I've been busy working on the sequel of 'Wielding Crimson'. I've been looking for inspiration high and low, and today I started doodling and came up with this drawing of one of the main characters, Layla!

She is in a place at this point in the story where she needs to come to terms with some major changes in her life. The man she had feeling for and trusted has hurt and betrayed her, and she is fighting for control over her raw emotions. Layla needs to find a way to tap into her hidden strength, and overcome her fears and weaknesses. She can't forget, but can she forgive?

'Wielding Crimson' will be FREE this weekend!

World prepare!

This weekend, 14-15th of June, "Wielding Crimson" will be FREE on Amazon again.

Many people who wanted to download it last time didn't know how, so here are some tips: the book is a Kindle edition, meaning that it can be read only on a Kindle device or the free Kindle application on a smartphone or computer!

Download the free app online and you're good to go! You can get it directly from the 'store' option in the app or from the Amazon website.

Simply click onto this link and you will find yourself in the Amazon website. If you already have an account, log in and click buy! The book will be sent to your device. If you don't have an account, creating one is simple an easy.

Thanks to everyone who has shown interest. I hope you enjoy reading "Wielding Crimson" and don't forget to leave a polite review!

The Universe

I found this photo online and it made me think of something I wrote in the second chapter of 'Wielding Crimson'. Check it out!

Post by D.M. Enslin- Author.

Being published... finally!

The last few days have been a whirlwind! Ever since I clicked that button on Amazon and my novel became published I have spent almost every minute of the day posting on facebook and twitter, replying to comments and thanking everyone who is supporting me!

The biggest surprise was seeing that 'Wielding Crimson' was bought by someone, minutes after it went public. I couldn't believe it! A second and a third purchase came shortly after, and my surprise just increased; I had expected it would be days, even weeks before someone took notice. I hadn't even told anyone that I had published it yet.

After that, was the official book launch;  posts on facebook and tweets announcing it, a free promotion and the support of hundreds of people on facebook who spread the word around the world. From Ireland to New Zealand, from South Africa to Italy, in almost every country there was one amazing person who shared the news of my book launch! I will be forever in their debt...

The result was that over 100 people downloaded 'Wielding Crimson' in one day.

 I am truly grateful.

Wielding Crimson: Book I of the Wielding Series

'Wielding Crimson' is now on Amazon!

Well, I am very pleased and proud to announce that my first novel is now published on Amazon! It has been a dream for so long and now it has finally come true.. Thanks to everyone who believed in me and supported me through this!

To start off with a bang, 'Wielding Crimson' will be FREE on Amazon only for tomorrow, June 2nd! Feel free to download and leave a polite review! Also, don't be shy to tell a friend!

Find it at this link! 

Wielding Crimson: Book I of the Wielding Series

The meaning behind the symbol

Some of you have asked me what the image on the banner of this blog means. The truth is that I see it more as a symbol rather than just an image or a drawing. But let's start at the beginning.

One of the main themes in my novel 'Wielding Crimson' is complementarity and synergy. Oxforddictionaries.com defines complementarity as: "A relationship or situation in which two or more different things improve or emphasize each other’s qualities", while synergy is defined as: "The interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances, or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects".

In my story I take this further, examining the relationship between two complementary, even opposite, forces whose qualities are improved by each other when they unite, working in synergy. Thus, "the whole is greater than the sum of it's parts", to quote Aristotle.

Wanting to capture this notion, which is such an important theme in the book, I began creating what would later become a symbol for my story; the form of a man and a woman, woven in a circular shape, where one continues the other (much in the sense of an ouroboros). The colors of each form reflect those of the sun and moon, another prominent theme in the story. 

I can't reveal more about it, unfortunately, without revealing too much about the story, but I hope I have quenched your curiosity!

New Excerpt - Layla

It's been a while since I last updated my blog, but fear not, I have been hard at work. The first book of the Wielding Series is now complete, and awaits only a few small tweaks and a little polishing. I have already begun writing the first draft of the second book and I am beginning to feel the excitement as I realize that my first book will soon hit the shelves.

In celebration, I decided to post another excerpt today, one concerning Layla, the mysterious girl who has been foretold to be Philip's destruction. Enjoy!

Layla found herself in the midst of a crowd of people again and suddenly Agnes’ hand let go of hers and she lost her. The music was booming in her ears and she could feel the vibrations of the speakers in her chest. Trying not to look anyone in the eye for fear of them hounding her again, she strained her eyes to find her friend. Instead, they caught someone else’s, and the second their pupils met, she felt her hairs stand on end and goose bumps erupt on her skin. All sound muted as her breath caught in her chest and a warm feeling spread around inside her, as if she had swallowed a shot of vodka on a freezing day.[...]

         The eyes were a warm reddish brown color with long lashes, staring back at her from in between bodies dancing and club lights shining different colors. They belonged to a man’s face with an intense gaze, a strong, slightly crooked nose, angular jaw and full lips, framed by short and messy brown hair. 

Layla, the woman predicted to destroy Philip

Yesterday I promised I would post an excerpt about the mysterious young woman, Layla, who Induna predicted will be Philip's destruction. Despite the fact that Layla too has her own point-of-view chapters, I decided to post a passage from Philip's point of view. In this scene Philip has caught Layla on her own, intent to figure her out, and find out how and why she will destroy him.

Philip kept on smiling, his face almost tired of it. He wanted to go back to his room and lounge on his balcony, away from her, but this was a good opportunity to get her on her own, size her up and see what he was up against. He had to be cunning but play dumb.

Layla stopped and picked a fruit from a tree and smelt it.

“What fruit is this?” she asked, catching his eye.

“It’s called kumquat.” Philip answered, taking it from her. He peeled it open and revealed its juicy, citrusy flesh. He cut a piece and gave it to her. “Try it, it’s really good.”

He watched her closely as she took it into her small hand and brought it to her nose before biting it. The juice dripped from her lips down her chin and she wiped it with the back of her hand.

“It is good.” she said with her mouth full. Philip grinned despite himself, then looked away quickly.

[...]

Through the last branches of the last trees his eyes caught sight of the sparkling diamonds embedded in the blue surface of the sea, shimmering under the bright sunlight. The earth gradually turned to sand, and by the time they exited the protection of the trees Philip and Layla found themselves in a small alcove, shiny rocks on either side forming a small crescent moon of a beach, the salty water splashing softly against their surfaces.

“Wow.” she breathed, coming to a stop beside him. “This is so beautiful.”

Philip looked at her again, trying to detect any sign of falseness, any glimmer of cunning, any ounce of malevolence. She confused him. He had expected her to be offensive, aggressive, and obvious in her intents. Instead, there stood a pretty, young woman, who could barely keep her calm when her manager yelled at her.

Layla looked around and saw Philip staring at her. She flushed, but kept her eyes onto his. She had beautiful eyes. He shivered a little, and looked away, clearing his throat.

Meeting Philip, the light wielder

Well, Philip has already made an appearance in the previous post but it was from Induna's point of view. Here is a passage from the third chapter where Philip and his older brother, Hector, are on a mission. I can't say more than that!

Philip bit his lip, choosing not to voice his apprehensions. He followed Hector with long strides as he crossed the street, walking with determination to the house. When they reached the door, Hector turned and looked into Philips eyes.

“Stay close and keep the rear. Follow my lead, and don’t attack unless I signal. I’d rather we get out of here without a commotion.”

“Okay, I know, I know.”

Hector opened the door and Philip entered after him in darkness. A muffled noise came from above, the sounds of scurrying feet, and then silence. Philip looked around for a switch, and upon finding it he flicked it up and down but the power was out.

“They have an electricity Wielder.” Philip whispered knowingly.

“Or they just cut the power.” Came Hectors scathing reply, and Philip had to suppress the urge to slap the back of his head. “Make us some light.”

Philip obliged, opening his left hand, palm upwards, and forcing his energy into the creation of an orb of light, formed, tangible, and alive. The small suns Philip could create out of nothing, were miniatures of the original, with molten plasma lying almost invisible at their cores, obscured by the bright rays of light emitted from them, making them seem harmless.

Meeting Induna, the psyche wielder

One of my favorite scenes in the book takes place quite early on -the second chapter. This chapter is from the point of view of Induna, an african man living in seclusion in Zimbabwe. This particular passage depicts Philip (or Philippos as he introduces himself to Induna -the greek pronounciation of his name) explaining to Induna his abilities as a psyche wielder.

 “I have been alone all these years. You are the first person to speak to me this way.” Induna whispered. “How- how did you find me? Why did you find me?”

Philippos opened and closed his mouth as if to explain but then decided not to. His young eyes looked away quickly, full of apprehension. Eventually he spoke, and Induna sensed he was changing the subject.

“I came to Zimbabwe for work and I heard about you. People were saying you are a prophet living up here alone. I realized you are a wielder and I wanted to help. There are many others like you, you know. You are a Psyche Wielder. Very rare. 

“What is that?” Induna asked with interest, mentally pushing away a vision that was softly tugging at his mind. 

“Psyche Wielders can connect with the souls of others around them, and most importantly, connect with the universe. That is the most important part of all.” Philippos said and his eyes flickered crimson again. When he saw the uncomprehending look on Induna’s face, he continued.

“Imagine the universe is like this cloth.” Philippos said, lifting up an old rag off the ground. “There are thousands of tiny threads woven in tiny, little patterns. If you follow one thread it will lead you to the end, but also you’ll see that more threads are connected to it. What if you decide to follow another? Where would that lead you? And if you cut one thread, what would happen to the cloth then? Would it fray until it fell apart? Or would it just change pattern?” he paused thoughtfully. “Wielders like you can see those possibilities. You can follow the threads and see where they begin and end, where and how they connect with everything else and what might happen if something changes along the way.”

Greek translation of the book description/Ελληνική μετάφραση της περιγραφής του βιβλίου

Οι δαμαστές είναι πανίσχυρα όντα, που ζουν σε έναν ανθρώπινο κόσμο. Έχουν την ικανότητα να παράγουν ή να χειρίζονται ένα στοιχείο της φύσης, φυσική δύναμη ή ύλη.

Δεν είναι Θεοί. Δεν είναι αθάνατοι. Και σίγουρα όχι αναμάρτητοι.

Όταν ο Φίλιππος Δούκας, ένας σπάνιος δαμαστής φωτός, επισκέφτηκε έναν τρομαγμένο Αφρικανό άντρα σε μια σπηλιά στη Ζιμπάμπουε, νόμιζε πως θα τον βοηθούσε να αναπτύξει τη πραγματική του δύναμη, ως δαμαστής ψυχής -ένα άτομο που μπορεί να συνδεθεί με τις ψυχές των άλλων, και πιο σημαντικά, με το Σύμπαν. Αντ' αυτού, έλαβε μια τρομερή προειδοποίηση πως ένα ανθρώπινο κορίτσι μια μέρα θα τον κατέστρεφε. Ένα κορίτσι, της οποίας η πορεία στη ζωή ήταν άρρηκτα συνδεδεμένη με τη δική του, με έναν τρόπο που δε μπορούσε να καταλάβει.

Πέντε χρόνια αργότερα, ο Φίλιππος έρχεται πρόσωπο με πρόσωπο μαζί της, και στοιχειωμένος από τη προειδοποίηση, αποφασίζει να αντιμετωπίσει το πεπρωμένο του και να τη καταστρέψει πρώτος, προτού τον καταστρέψει εκείνη.

Εν τω μεταξύ, ένας σαδιστικός δολοφόνος που δαμάζει σάρκα είναι σε μυστική αποστολή για να βρεί και να σκοτώσει έναν μυστηριώδη άνθρωπο, και πίσω στη σπηλιά στην Αφρική, ο δαμαστής ψυχής ξεκινάει ένα απεγνωσμένο ταξίδι, όταν συνειδητοποιεί πως η προειδοποίηση του ήταν λάθος, και ότι θα οδηγήσει τον Φίλιππο σε έναν δρόμο που οδηγεί στο σκότος και τη καταστροφή.

Greek Translation of the first chapter/Ελληνική μετάφραση του πρώτου κεφαλαίου

Κεφάλαιο 1

 Βαρκελώνη, 6 Αυγούστου

«Πώς μπορώ να το εξηγήσω ώστε το γελοίο, μικρό, γαμημένο μυαλό σου να μπορεί να το καταλάβει; Ο δαμασμός δεν είναι υπερδύναμη, είναι τέχνη. Το να μπορείς να παράγεις ή να ελέγχεις ένα στοιχείο, φυσική δύναμη ή φυσικό φαινόμενο. Δεν είναι σαν να είσαι υπερήρωας. Δεν είναι παιχνίδι που παίζουν με γαμημένα κολάν. Είναι δώρο, δώρο που πρέπει να τελειοποιούμε. Ειδικά οι δαμαστές της σάρκας, σαν και εμένα. Ξέρω κάθε γωνιά του ανθρωπίνου σώματος, τα οστά, τους μύες, τις αρτηρίες, τις νευρικές απολήξεις, όλα.»

«Καλά, ότι και να πεις ο δαμασμός της σάρκας είναι μαλακία.»

Ο Ορέστης Αγγέλου κοίταξε με την άκρη του ματιού του τον άντρα που καθόταν δίπλα του στο πάτωμα, που χαρακτήριζε τη δουλειά του ως «μαλακία» με δήθεν νταηλίκι που δε του πήγαινε.  Ένιωθε την ανάγκη να του δώσει μια γεύση του πόσο οδυνηρός μπορεί να είναι ο δαμασμός της σάρκας, αλλά δε θα χαράμιζε ποτέ τις ικανότητές του σε ένα μικρό βλάκα σαν και αυτόν.

 «Η καλύτερη ικανότητα δαμασμού πρέπει να είναι της φωτιάς.» είπε ο άλλος άντρας. Πως είπε οτι τον λένε; Τόμας; Τζόνα; Τζούντι; Ρούντι; «Ή της γής.» Πρόσθεσε. «Μπορείς να ελέγξεις σχεδόν τα πάντα με αυτήν. Οτιδήποτε βγαίνει από τη γη εννοώ... Οι δαμαστές ψυχής είναι απλά τρομακτικοί. Καλά, δε παραπονιέμαι, και ο δαμασμός του νερού είναι γαμάτος.» Έβγαλε ένα μπουκάλι νερού από τη τσέπη του και άνοιξε το καπάκι. Στροβίλισε ένα κοντόχοντρο δάχτυλο και το υγρό μέσα σχημάτισε μια δίνη, ανεβαίνοντας έξω από το πλαστικό δοχείο, στον αέρα μπροστά τους.

Θα σε λέω Ρούντι, αποφάσισε ο Ορέστης. «Και ο δαμασμός της αστραπής είναι πολύ δυνατός.» είπε, κλείνοντας τα μάτια του και ακουμπώντας το κεφάλι του στον τοίχο πίσω. Είχε αρχίσει να μετανιώνει που δέχτηκε να έχει συνέταιρο.

«Είναι πολύ σπάνιοι... Εσύ ξέρεις κανέναν δαμαστή αστραπής;» ρώτησε ο Ρούντι με περιέργεια, τα ελαφίσια μάτια του μεγάλα σαν κέρματα. Το νερό ξαναγλύστρησε μέσα στο μπουκάλι χωρίς να χυθεί σταγόνα.

«Ήξερα έναν, κάποτε.» απάντησε ο Ορέστης κοφτά.

Ο Ρούντι συνέχισε να μιλάει για τις καλύτερες ικανότητες δαμασμού με τον ενθουσιασμό ενός δωδεκάχρονου αγοριού που μόλις ανακάλυψε τις άλλες χρήσεις του πουλιού του. Ο Ορέστης καθόταν σιωπηλά, και αναρωτιόταν που πήγαινε ο κοσμός αν η Σέκτα πλέον δεχόταν χειρηστές όπως τον Ρούντι για σημαντικές αποστολές όπως αυτή που υποτίθεται πως κάνανε τώρα.

Ο Ορέστης ήταν υπερήφανος που ήταν ο καλύτερος Ειδικός Χειριστής της Σέκτας, του μυστικού οργανισμού της Κοινότητας των Δαμαστών. Αποτελούνταν από ένα ευρύ δίκτυο δαμαστών, εκπαιδευμένων να να επιβάλουν τους νόμους και να προστατεύουν τον πληθυσμό τους από κάθε απειλή.

 «Ήρθε σχεδόν η ώρα.» είπε ο Ορέστης, διακόπτοντας τους φωναχτούς ρεμβασμούς του Ρούντι. Σηκώθηκε και τίναξε τη σκόνη από το παντελόνι του, ενώ ο νεότερος άντρας τον μιμήθηκε. Το κτίριο στο οποίο βρίσκονταν ήταν σχεδόν εγκαταλελειμένο, η μπογιά ξεφλούδιζε από τους τοίχους, οι λάμπες κρέμονταν στον διάδρομο, απογυμνωμένες από τα φωτιστικά τους. Ο μοναδικός ένοικος του έκτου ορόφου θα έφτανε με το ασανσέρ σε λίγα λεπτά. Ο Ορέστης μπορούσε να αισθανθεί τους χτύπους της καρδιάς του ανθρώπου να πλησιάζουν.

Περιεργάστηκε την αντανάκλαση του στο σπασμένο τζάμι ενός παραθύρου. Τα μάτια του ήταν ροζ γύρω από τις μαύρες κόρες του, το τετράγωνο σαγόνι του σκιασμένο από τα νέα γένια και τα σγουρά μαύρα του μαλλιά ήταν ανακατωμένα. Ήταν κοντός, λεπτός, φαινομενικά αδύναμος, και με κάποιο τρόπο έμοιαζε νεότερος από τα τριανταένα του χρόνια. Δεν ήταν πολύ ωραίος άντρας, αυτό το ήξερε, και δεν παρέλειπε να το υπενθυμίζει στον εαυτό του όταν τύχαινε να περάσει μπροστά από καθρέφτη. Ποτέ του δεν τον πολυένοιαξε όμως. Οι περισσότεροι άντρες φαινόταν να τα πηγαίνουν καλύτερα με άλλους μέτριας εμφάνισης, και οι γυναίκες... ε, πολλές σοκάρονταν όταν μάθαιναν πως είναι Έλληνας –οι γυναίκες συνήθως περιμένουν πως όλοι οι Έλληνες θα μοιάζουν με τα ωραία αγάλματα του Παρθενώνα- αλλά είχε αναπτύξει τον δικό του τρόπο με τις γυναίκες. Ο δαμασμός της σάρκας είναι χρήσιμη ικανότητα κάτω από πολλές συνθήκες.

«Γαμώτο...» ανάσανε ο Ρούντι, κουνώντας τα πόδια του νευρικά. Και αυτός ήταν σχετικά κοντός, αν και όχι τόσο αδύνατος όσο ο Ορέστης, με ποντικίσια καφέ μαλλιά και σχεδόν ούτε μια τρίχα στο πηγούνι του.

«Δεν το έχεις ξανακάνει αυτό;» τον ρώτησε ο Ορέστης, ακουμπώντας στον τοίχο. Ο Ρούντι κούνησε το κεφάλι του, τα μάτια του καρφωμένα στη πόρτα του ασανσέρ. «Σταμάτα να φαίνεσαι τόσο γαμημένα νευρικός. Απλά κάτσε ήσυχος και παρακολούθα. Να δεις και μόνος σου τι είναι ικανοί να κάνουν οι δαμαστές της σάρκας.»

Με ένα ελαφρύ ‘πίνγκ’ έφτασε το ασανσέρ και βγήκε ένας μεσήλικας άντρας, ήδη στον κατήφορο της ηλικίας, κρατώντας μια χάρτινη σακούλα γεμάτη ψώνια. Ήταν κοντός, φαλακρός, με μπυροκοιλιά και φορούσε συρμάτινα γυαλιά που ισορροπούσαν επικίνδυνα στην άκρη της μύτης του.

«Χα.» γέλασε ο Ορέστης χαμηλόφωνα, με μια γρήγορη ματιά στην νέα άφιξη. Ο άντρας σταμάτησε ξαφνικά όταν είδε τους δύο ξένους να στέκονται χωρίς προφανή αιτία στη μέση του διαδρόμου, αλλά ανέπτυξε ταχύτητα και τους προσπέρασε βιαστικά.

Ο Ρούντι κοίταξε τον Ορέστη, περιμένοντας ένα σημάδι του τι να κάνει.

«Συγγνώμη, σενιόρ.» είπε ο Ορέστης με τη πιο απάλή και ευγενική χροιά της φωνής του. «Ψάχνουμε το διαμέρισμα F1, αλλά δε το βρίσκουμε.»

Ο άντρας γύρισε αργά και έσφιξε τη σακούλα του.

«No habla ingles...» μουρμούρισε και έκανε να φύγει.

Ο Ορέστης έκανε ένα βήμα μπροστά.

«Και όμως, τυχαίνει να γνωρίζω πως μιλάτε αγγλικά, Σενιόρ Άλμα. Για την ακρίβεια, περάσατε δύο χρόνια στο Εδιμβούργο για την πτυχιακή σας εργασία, ‘Διατροφική Εκτίμηση Ασθενών με Άνοια’. Ακούγεται βαρετό.»

Ο σενιόρ Άλμα τον κοίταξε με γουρλωμένα μάτια πισω από τα γυαλιά του. Ο Ορέστης ένιωσε τους ιδρωτοποιούς αδένες στο μέτωπο του άντρα να παράγουν σταγόνες αλμυρού ιδρώτα που έσταξαν στα ρυτιδιασμένα μάτια του. Η καρδιά του Άλμα άρχισε να χτυπάει λίγο πιο γρήγορα και η ουροδόχος κύστη του ξαφνικά ένιωθε πιο γεμάτη.

«Σας ξέρω;» ρώτησε στα αγγλικά.

«Αμφιβάλλω.» απάντησε ο Ορέστης με ένα φιλικό σήκωμα των ώμων. Ο Ρούντι κοιτούσε μια τον έναν και μια τον άλλον. Ο σενιόρ Άλμα έγλειψε τα χείλη του.

«Ακούστε, αν είναι για τα λεφτά, πείτε τον Σαντιάγο πως δεν τα έχω ακόμη, αλλά είμαι κοντά, π-πολύ κοντά.»

«Δε ξέρω ποιός είναι ο Σαντιάγο.»

Τα φρύδια του συσπάστηκαν με απορία, και ο Ορέστης σχεδόν μπορούσε να ακούσει τις συνάψεις του Άλμα να πυροδοτούνται στον εγκέφαλο του, καθώς προσπαθούσε να καταλάβει τη κατάσταση.

«Άντε, κάντο.» μουρμούρισε ο Ρούντι, αλλά ο Άλμα τον άκουσε και έκανε ένα βιαστικό βήμα πίσω, πέφτωντας πάνω στον τοίχο.

«Σας παρακαλώ, πάρτε ότι θέλετε.» είπε πανικόβλητος.

Ο Ορέστης αναστέναξε. Σιχαινόταν να σκοτώνει άντρες. Κάτι στην θέα ενός άντρα να κλαίει σαν μωρό όταν ερχόταν αντιμέτωπος με τον επικείμενο θανάτό του, του γυρνούσε το στομάχι. Οι γυναίκες ήταν το αγαπημένο του. Είχαν γενικώς πολύ περισσότερη χάρη στον θάνατο. Συν το ότι υπήρχε μια τρυφερή ειρωνία στο να παίρνεις τη ζωή κάποιου που δίνει ζωή. Ήταν σχεδόν ποιητικό. Του άρεσε του Ορέστη αυτό, του άρεσαν τα ποιητικά πράγματα. Είναι τέχνη, είπε στον εαυτό του.

«Με τι να μοιάζει;» ρώτησε τον Ρούντι, αποσπώντας τα μάτια του από τον τρομοκρατημένο άντρα. «Φυσικά αίτια; Ληστεία με άσχημη κατάληξη; Καλός παραδοσιακός φόνος;»

Ο Ρούντι τον κοίταξε με ανοιχτό στόμα και ο Ορέστης αναστέναξε.

«Από ότι καταλαβαίνω χρωστάς λεφτά σε κόσμο, σενιόρ Άλμα. Και από ότι καταλαβαίνω θα σε σκοτώσουν για αυτά όπως και να έχει, οπότε... φόνος.»

Η μυρωδιά ούρων έφτασε τη μύτη του ενα δευτερόλεπτο αφότου ο Ορέστης ένιωσε τη κύστη του άντρα να αδειάζει. Κατουριέται κιόλας. Γαμημένα γελοίος.

Ο Ορέστης έκλεισε τα μάτια του και ένιωσε ενέργεια να κυλάει μέσα του. Διέτρεξε κάθε του κύτταρο, γεμίζοντάς τον, ρέοντας ασταμάτητα σαν κύματα σε μαινόμενη θάλασσα.

Άνοιξε τα μάτια του και εστίασε στο κλαμμενο πρόσωπο του Άλμα. Ελέγχοντας το φορτίο ενέργειας μέσα του, δάμασε τα δερματικά κύτταρα πάνω από το δεξί μάτι του Άλμα να σκιστούν. Με την ακρίβεια χειρουργού, έκανε τα κύτταρα της επιδερμίδας να ανοίξουν διάπλατα, και σχεδόν ταυτόχρονα της δερμίδας, όπου άρχισε και να αιμορραγεί, μέχρι να φτάσει στο κόκκαλο.

Ο Άλμα ούρλιαξε από τον πόνο και έπιασε με το χέρι του το κόψιμο. Η χάρτινη σακούλα έπεσε στο πάτωμα και σκίστηκε, λαχανικά και φρούτα κυλησαν γύρω τους.

Ο Ορέστης επέλεξε τα τριχοειδή αγγεία γύρω από το αριστερό μάτι του Άλμα και τα έσκασε ένα ένα, ώστε μια μεγάλη μωβ μελανιά εμφανίστηκε. Και για να είναι σίγουρος, ράγισε και το ζυγωματικό του. Ο άντρας ούρλιαξε πάλι και σωριάστηκε στο πάτωμα, γλυστρώντας στον τοίχο.

«Τι μου συμβαίνει?» φώναξε με οδύνη.

«Δολοφονείσαι.» είπε ο Ορέστης.

Είχε έρθει η ώρα για μεγαλύτερα τραύματα. Η αστυνομία θα ασχολιόταν πολύ με αυτή την υπόθεση, και έπρεπε να το κάνει πιστευτό.

Ίσως ο επιτιθέμενός του να τον στραγγάλισε, σκέφτηκε ο Ορέστης και έκανε το δέρμα του άντρα να μελανιάσει γύρω από τον λαιμό του, και έκλεισε τη τραχεία του αρκετά ώστε να δημιουργήσει μια έλειψη οξυγόνου που να φανεί στη νεκροψία. Ο Άλμα έβηξε, και πνίγηκε και έκλαιγε.

Ίσως πάλεψε και λίγο. Οι αρθρώσεις των δακτύλων του άντρα μελάνιασαν και κάποιες σπάσανε. Ο Ορέστης έκανε μια παύση να σκεφτεί, αγνοώντας τις ικεσίες και τα κλάματα. Ίσως να υπήρχε και μαχαίρι... δάγκωσε το χείλος του με συγκέντρωση ενώ δάμασε το σώμα του Άλμα να σηκωθεί όρθιο. Πρόσθεσε άλλη μια εμπνευσμένη πινελιά και έσκισε το δέρμα και τη σάρκα από τον δείκτη του δεξιού χεριού του, φτάνωντας στο κόκκαλο, φροντίζοντας η σάρκα να διαχωρίζεται με τόσο λεπτομερή τρόπο, ώστε να φαινεται πως το προκάλεσε μαχαίρι. Το οστό κόπηκε στα δύο, και το δάχτυλο έπεσε με έναν ελαφρύ ήχο στο πάτωμα. Ο Άλμα ούρλιαξε καθώς το αίμα ξεχύθηκε από το κουτσουρεμένο του χέρι, και ο Ορέστης τον έκανε να κουνιέται και να χορεύει γύρω γύρω σαν μαριονέτα σε παρωδία μίμισης πάλης. Η διασπορά του αίματος στους τοίχους έπρεπε να είναι πειστική.

«Σε παρακαλώ, σε παρακαλώ...» έκλαιγε ο Άλμα.

«Ορέστη-»

«Σκάσε. Σχεδόν τελείωσα.»

Άφησε το κορμί του Άλμα να καταρεύσει στο πάτωμα και επέτρεψε στον εαυτό του μια στιγμή να απολάυσει την επίδραση που είχε ο δαμασμός του στο σώμα του άντρα -η καρδιά του χτυπούσε τρελά, το αίμα του έρεε γρήγορα, αλλά η αδρεναλίνη που έτρεχε μέσα του έκανε τον Άλμα να μην νιώθει τον πόνο στο πραγματικό του μεγαλείο, οπότε ο Ορέστης τη μείωσε. Ο Άλμα σφάδαξε και ούρλιαξε καθώς μερικά από τα πλευρά του σπάσανε ξαφνικά και εμφανίστηκαν και άλλοι μώλωπες.

«Και τώρα η τελευταία πινελιά.»

Η καρδιά ήταν ένα από τα αγαπημένα του όργανα. Εύκολο να χειραγωγηθεί. Αλλά είναι τόσο κλισέ, σκέφτηκε. Ένας πνεύμονας από την άλλη, είναι πολύ πιο πρωτότυπο, λιγότερο προβλέψιμο.

Ξανά, έκανε τα κύτταρα στο δέρμα του Άλμα να σκιστούν στο στήθος του, όλο και βαθύτερα, μέχρι το κέντρο του. Ο άντρας στριγκλιξε και λιποθύμησε, αλλά ο Ορέστης τον επανέφερε. Το κόψιμο έφτασε τον αριστερό του πνεύμονα, και με απόλυτη ακρίβεια, τον τρύπησε.

Αργά και βασανιστικά, ο Άλμα πέθαινε.

Τιναζόταν και έτρεμε, αλλά στο τέλος έμεινε ακίνητος και έπεσε σιωπή.

Ο Ορέστης κοίταξε γύρω του. Ο Ρούντι είχε γονατίσει κάτω και κάλυπτε το στόμα του με το χέρι του, σοκαρισμένος. Θα το συνηθίσει αργά ή γρήγορα, σκέφτηκε. Είναι η δουλειά μας. Και εγώ είμαι ο καλύτερος.

Πλησίασε αργά αργά το σώμα του Άλμα και έσκυψε πάνω από το κεφάλι του. Τα γυαλία του νεκρού άντρα είχαν γλυστρήσει από τη μύτη του και κρέμονταν στραβά από το αυτί του.

«Δεν έχεις τη παραμικρή ιδέα γιατί πέθανες.» αναστέναξε ο Ορέστης, μελετώντας το πρόσωπο του.

«Μπορούμε να φύγουμε τώρα;» ρώτησε ξαφνικά ο Ρούντι, αηδιασμένος.

«Ναι. Μέχρι να βρεθεί ο επόμενος.» είπε ο Ορέστης, και σηκώθηκε όρθιος.

«Ο επόμενος; Πόσοι είναι;»

«Σκοτώνουμε έναν και εμφανίζεται άλλος. Σε ένα λεπτό, σε μια μέρα, έναν μήνα, καμιά φορά και σε χρόνια. Έτσι πάει.»

Περπατούσαν προς το ασανσέρ πλάι πλάι όταν χτύπησε το κινητό του Ορέστη. Το ψάρεψε στη τσέπη του παντελονιού του και απάντησε. Μια αντρική φωνή με βαριά γαλλική προφορά μίλησε.

«Αγγέλου, ονομάστηκε και άλλος.»

«Ναι;» είπε ο Ορέστης, πνίγοντας τον αναστεναγμό του.

«Μια γυναίκα, Εστέλλα Λούνα. Πληροφορίες θα σου σταλούν σύντομα.»

«Εντάξει, monsieur.»

About the blurb...

Just back from receiving some amazing feedback from a wonderfully talented facebook friend who read my, previously mentioned, rough blurb.

I have to say, I am so impressed by the way he played with the words, making small changes here and there, creating magic! The devil lives in the details, they say, and after this, I couldn't agree more. Why say "he makes the decision to destroy her" when you can say "he decides to confront his destiny by destroying her"?

I try to keep the exeedingly dramatic flare from my writing, usually, but this isn't writing a novel, is it? It's writing a promotional piece that will potentially sell your novel. It needs to be overly dramatic. Lesson learned.

So, I re-wrote my blurb, incorporating some of the points from the feedback. I will continue working on it (as usual I will not be happy with it if I haven't changed it around at least fifty times), but here it is. For now.

Wielders are powerful beings living in a world of humans. They are able to bring forth or manipulate a single element of nature, physical force or matter.

They are not gods. Not immortal. And certainly not without sins. 

When Philip Doukas, a rare wielder of light, visited a frightened African man in a cave in Zimbabwe, he thought he would be helping him come into his true power as a psyche wielder -a person who can connect with the souls of others and, most importantly, with the Universe. Instead, he received a terrible warning that a human girl would one day destroy him; a girl whose path in life was connected to his in a way he couldn’t understand. 

Five years later Philip finds himself face to face with her and, haunted by the warning, decides to confront his destiny and destroy her before she destroys him. 

Meanwhile, a sadistic flesh wielding assassin is on a secret assignment to find and kill a mysterious human, and back in the cave in Africa the psyche wielder embarks on a desperate journey, after he realizes his warning had been wrong and that it will lead Philip down the road to darkness and destruction.

Possible Blurb

Well, I thought I'd tackle that other hurdle, known as a book blurb. After researching a bit online, I found some general guidelines, but they weren't particularly helpful. 

Here is something I put together in about five minutes. I used some parts from the rough short summary I wrote a while ago. There still is work to be done, but I'm hopeful!

Wielders are not gods. They are not immortal, not all knowing, and certainly not without sins. But they are not human either.

Each Wielder can control or produce a natural force or element, its energy having been absorbed at birth from the Universe, maintaining a fundamental balance 

When Philip Doukas, one of the rare light wielders, visited a frightened African man in a cave in Zimbabwe, he thought he would be helping him come into his true power as a psyche wielder -a person who can connect with the souls of others and, most importantly, with the universe. Instead he received a warning that a human girl, who he strangely kept running into since childhood, would one day destroy him 

Five years later Philip finds himself face to face with her and, haunted by the warning, makes the decision to destroy her before she destroys him. 

Meanwhile, a sadistic assassin who wields flesh is on a secret assignment to find and kill a mysterious human, and back in the cave in Africa the psyche wielder begins on a journey, after he realizes his warning had been wrong and that it will lead Philip down a road of darkness and destruction.

Making Changes

In my last post I mentioned I made some big changes to my manuscript. To be more specific, I came to the decision, after the helpful feedback of my favourite beta reader, Carina, who pointed out some inconsistencies and redundant passages.

I thought about it a lot, and realized that, indeed, there were parts of the story that I had written quite a while ago, and were very close to my heart, but truly served no purpose. I decided that just because something is written well, doesn't mean that it deserves to be in the final cut. 

So, I took a deep breath and selected the offending paragraphs, and pressed the delete button. But that wasn't all. I commenced to merge the rest of the story together so that it made sense, making adjustments and small changes along the way. I am at a point where I am almost 99% satisfied with the manuscript. 

I am currently reviewing it from the beginning, and so far things look good. I am also looking for more beta readers (the more feedback the better) so if anyone is interested let me know! The story is an urban fantasy. 

For more details check out the short summary here and the first chapter here!

New Alternate Cover

Well, it's been a while since I last checked in, but life has been busy. I have made some major changes in my manuscript, for the better, and I am much more confident in it. The story is coming together, the characters are jumping to life and I am falling in love with them all over again.

In the spirit of transformation, I felt particularly creative today, so I spent some time rethinking my cover. It's always better to have options, so I conjured up my faithful photoshop tools and came up with this alternate cover:

Copyright © D.M. Enslin 2014 All Rights Reserved. 

Sketch of another character

Here is another sketch of one of the main characters -the only woman. I can't reveal much about her, only that her name is Layla, as I have written on the drawing.

I spent a few pleasant hours working on it (probably too long for such a simple drawing) trying to get her to look the way I imagine her, and I am very happy with the result!

Sketch of a character

Whoever has taken the time to read the summary of 'Wielding Crimson' will have seen that one of the main characters is Philip. He is a young man with supernatural powers, and he belongs to a community of beings living in secret in our world. They are called Wielders, because they can each 'wield' a distinct and single thing; a force of nature, an element, a material, a physical force, anything that exists on the earth, making it what it is. Also, wielders can be either producers or controllers, meaning that they can either produce something from their own body, or control something that already exists in their vicinity.

Philip is one of my favorite characters because he has the ability to wield light. Although he actually produces minute suns, it is called 'light wielding' because the light produced from it makes the molten plasma that forms the nucleus near invisible to the naked eye. As all wielders, he is impenetrable to his own wielding kind, that means that other light wielders cannot hurt him and vice versa.

I felt particularly inspired today thinking of him, so I drew up a quick sketch of Philip from a scene early on in the book. I can’t say more, but feel free to make your own assumptions as to what is going on… 

New Beginnings

Ever since I finished the manuscript of the first book of the Wielders Trilogy, I’ve been knee-deep in editing, correcting, re-writing, adverbs, grammar, showing and not telling, POV, character development, correcting and correcting and correcting...

With increasing trepidation I realized that my characters weren’t speaking to me anymore, they weren’t telling me their stories. It was as if they had fallen silent, hurt by my interest in words on a screen rather than what more they had to say. I was beginning to worry that when the time came to start the next book I would have lost all connection to them.

Then, just as my fear grew stronger, I began hearing their whispers again. They started telling me the rest of the story, their adventures and heartbreaks. I started seeing the images in my mind again, as vivid as if I were living them. I began writing it all down so as not to forget anything. I hadn’t felt this calm and fulfilled in a long while.

I realized that this is what I love doing; writing. Not correcting grammar and checking vocabulary. I know it is a part of the process of writing a novel and I will continue editing to make my novel the best it can be, but never again will I close my eyes and ears to what I am.

I am a writer of stories.

Beta reading!

It has been a while since I last posted anything on my blog, but I have not been procrastinating. I am in a pleasant situation where I have the unique and precious opportunity to be beta reading for a fellow author, whose talent is mind blowing and whose imagination is creating a world alive with all the myths of our world.

She is also beta reading my novel and her gracious comments and feedback are proving to be priceless. I have already made some drastic and some more mundane changes, both in the story and in the text. Now that I am aware of my mistakes it is easy to weed them out. The fact that another writer is taking the time to read and help me out with my work is heartwarming; I am truly humbled and grateful!

But there are many others too, who have read the excerpt of 'Wielding Crimson' posted here on my blog, and are giving me so much help and encouragement! I could not have hoped for more! With your help I am striving for perfection and hopefully will accomplish it!

Thanks again and I will post soon, with an update!

P.S. Here is an image I created for 'Wielding Crimson' depicting Philip! Enjoy!

Adverbs - Are they an authors enemy?

As I have stated many a time, I have happily finished the writing process of my novel and am now in the editing process.

Re-reading your own work can be difficult; you find mistakes, holes in the plot, dialogue that does not make sense, and my new nemesis: adverbs.

Adverbs make writing a story so much easier in the beginning, you don’t have to rack your mind for the perfect word, you can just type a –ly word and you’re done! It makes sense, it gives description, and it is fine. Right? Wrong.

Many people believe that adverbs are the crutch of the weak writer, the fast way out of the lazy, the cheats of the un-talented.

Adverbs are easy to use but in my opinion, when used in excess they do rob a story of its beauty. The English vocabulary is so vast that there usually is another way to say something without resulting to the use of adverbs. Why say “he looked at him angrily” when you can say “he glared”? Why say “she walked proudly” when you can say “she strutted”?

They are useful, however, at times when the writer uses them correctly, but divining those instances can be difficult.

I read a wonderful article by Eddie Snipes on his very informative website eddiesnipes.com where he describes in detail the ways with which a writer can decide whether the use of a particular adverb is for the best or for the worst.  You can read the article “Adverbs – Halt! Friend or foe?” by Eddie Snipes here.

I suggest it to all who are in the process of editing, as it has been so helpful to me.