Cozy sci-fi snippet, a tarot game, & creepy recs
As I write this, it's our last day at this place before we move. I spent all day packing and cleaning, running on three and a half hours of sleep. I couldn't sleep because I was working on a project and couldn't stop researching and exploring ideas. I just let it happen while the motivation and inspiration were high. Like mega high.
I still can't sleep and I gained some energy back, so I decided to write to you.
So, what's up?:
WIP updates
A secret
Cozy sci-fi serial snippet
New tarot game
Tabletop gaming tiktok
Fun and creepy recommendations
Weird number patterns???
FULL MOON FESTIVAL
I had planned to finish filling in those tiny plot holes before we moved, but I got sick a few times, which is unusual for me. Maybe I've been running too hard. But I've decided two projects at a time is plenty. I'm now working on one book and one game. I love creating more than anything and I always bite off more than I can chew.
I'm so excited to release Full Moon Festival this fall! I just released Find the Forgotten last October, and it's crazy to think about having its first book birthday. What do you think we should do to celebrate?
I thought I’d throw in a little secret about Find the Forgotten that no one else knows yet. The whole section about Emily solving the mystery of Mrs. Willows’ missing books was originally in Full Moon Festival. I told myself it would fit better somewhere else. I’m so glad I save these things because it fits perfectly in Find the Forgotten. Not only in theme but also all the fun and cozy reading time with Desi and getting the book club started too!
Oh yeah, and if you enjoyed Find the Forgotten, I would love a review on Amazon or Goodreads! And if you send me a screenshot of your review, I'll send you the FIRST SEVEN CHAPTERS of Full Moon Festival. It'd be in beta, but it's early and fun! 😜 (And by sending the screenshot, you would be agreeing not to share the chapters with others, 'cause they’re just for you! 🙂👍).
COZY SCI-FI SERIALS
These are still coming along as well. I’m drafting the Bad Guys Close In beat if you know the Save the Cat outlining system. I know I said, “one book and one game,” but whenever I get small snippets of free time, this is what it goes toward.
You’d be amazed at how much will get written in ten minutes. I can usually get about this much done or more. It’s not a whole scene or anything, but it’s a decent chunk for when you need to steal a few moments. I always like to say, “Progress is progress.” Here’s Amara, an Embrite (flame being), and her tour group after getting caught in a restricted section of the weather tower at the Astral College. Keep in mind this is *rough* draft:
Now what, cancel the tour? Or be on the run for the rest of her… ancient life? Neither were ideal. “We have to leave the city. Now.”
“Okay?” Solene’s eyes darted, before meeting Amara’s again. “I can levitate, but —” she shook the charm bracelet on her wrist.
A monitor lit up Amara’s face behind them, one by one filling in all the monitors on the plaza.
“Okay, so she’ll definitely be recognized.” Solene backed closer to Amara, her hands out, ready to use another charm.
“Do you have something?” Amara asked.
“I’m willing to try.”
“Wait, you’ll get caught.” Amara glanced around the plaza until her eyes locked on Ashen Fashion. “I know where to go.”
For more cozy sci-fi, check out Pinterest for my character and planet inspiration, and follow free on Ream to get notified of early access. There’s a lifelong discount for founding members!
NEW TAROT TABLETOP GAME
I've been loving working on games while I work on books. Books are long projects for me, and I can get a game done much faster (and it makes me feel more accomplished, let’s be real).
I still love writing books but I have a zillion ideas and sadly, I can't write them all. It helps to take some of those ideas off my shoulders by turning them into games and exploring the concept in new ways. Not everything has to be a novel or series and I love that!
Putting my story seeds into a format where others can create and live their own stories is an amazing experience. Each playthrough is different, and unlike a book or even a videogame, there are no barriers to what you can and can’t do.
Grim Sour Games has a new TikTok!
I haven't had much time to get a lot up, but I've got some fun ideas, and I'm hoping to share behind-the-scenes, character creation, story seeds, bonus content, solo play tips, timelapse art, etc.
My new game work-in-progress is tarot-based, inspired by my Solar Kingdom tarot deck (which is very storybook mythology-looking). So if you love tarot and myth it could be just for you!
I’ve already written the whole rulebook in about a week because I was so pumped and the ideas were flowing. I just need to create some tables and art for it!
Speaking of art, mine is varied because I do whatever I want, but you can check out my art here.
And in case you missed it, we recently released a solo or group one-page TTRPG about solving mysteries and hunting cryptids in Alaska (Whispers in the Wilderness). And since you're my friend, you get a free copy!
RECOMMENDATIONS
1000% recommend reading Always Carry Your Scythe. It's already been free twice in the last month, so keep an eye on it if you're interested in a deal. It's got some spelling issues here and there, but it's literally one of my favorite books ever, no joke.
You know how much I love The Wish List by Eoin Colfer and it really reminds me of that, but with less sass and more adventure.
It's about Death's daughter who goes through hell to find her best friend who was taken too soon. It is such a fun time, and I wish *with all my heart* that the author had more books. It's just that one for now and I'm just at the edge of my seat for more. It doesn’t end on a cliffhanger or anything, I just want more.
If you know of any other books that sound similar, I'd love to know!
I also gotta recommend the TV series Kid Cosmic. I didn't like the first episode so I stopped watching. This is a common theme for all of my favorite shows, by the way. I've learned now that any show could be amazing, like really freaking amazing (looking at you Owl House), if I'll just give it a chance and watch a little more.
We just watched the old alien movie Signs again. If you've never seen it, I highly recommend it. It's free with ads on YouTube.
If you want something like Signs, but more recent and way scarier, check out Dark Skies. I literally had a part where I had to close my eyes in the theater, and that's not common for me. If you've already seen it, try to guess which part and let me know 😉
Have you seen or read these? I always look forward to talking about our favorite stories, no matter the medium. A story is a story is a story.
THANK YOU
Thanks as always for being here! I really can't say how grateful I am to have you on this journey with me. I'm not just writing into the void. You're reading my letters, and that really means a lot. And I hope to hear back from you too!
P.S.
Hey, do you ever notice weird number patterns? Like nearly every day for a year, my husband and I have caught 222, 444, and 555. Do you believe in Angel Numbers or Numerology? I'm super curious if you have any stories about this.
We went mini-golfing with my family yesterday, and my mom said one of our scores was 55. I looked at my husband and he said at that moment, his phone was at 55% and it was 7:55 pm. That's triple 55! We were blown away. I, for one, don't believe in coincidences.
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Hi! I’m Candye. I write novels and short stories in science fiction and paranormal mystery. When I’m not writing, I love reading my Kindle in the sunlight, drawing unknown creatures and settings, and playing cozy video games. You may also catch me watching Hilda or The Dark Crystal series for the millionth time.