A to Z Blogging Challenge - Z is for Zombie

We've reached the end of the alphabet and the A to Z Blogging Challenge.
If you haven't heard of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, check out the A to Z blog. Why not visit a few of the participants or look back over some of our creature-themed posts?
Here at Untethered Realms, we took on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us shared with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

For our last post we have...

Z is for Zombie

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It's no secret that I'm a huge fan of anything zombie related. Books, TV series, or films. I'm not sure exactly what attracts me to them, but the struggle for survival is probably one reason. End of the world scenarios, apocalypses, or extreme disasters have always fascinated me. What would each of us do or be capable of doing in such a life or death situation? How far would we go to defend our loved-ones and families?

While I have not yet written a novel related to zombies - I intend to one day - they did feature heavily in one of my dark fiction stories from Passing Time. In Dining in Hell, I had great fun writing them into what was a truly horrific day for a small group of plague survivors.

What about you? Do zombies fascinate or repulse you?

***

And the winner of the X-Factor competition, the creature with the most X is... [drum roll]

Tawa! A guardian to one of the Fearless and stuffed hippo. [wild applause]

Yo! Congrats!

A-Z Challenge, Y is for Yokai

Today we travel into the realm of Japanese folk lore. Yokai are "phantoms" that often take the form of animals or humans. It is said that they can occasionally bring good fortune to those who encounter them, however, they are also known to be mischievous. I think it is a very interesting concept. It reminds me of shape shifters that have shown up in a lot of recent YA paranormals.

Have you run into any mischievous phantoms lately and if so, did they bring you any good luck?

Bonnie Rae

X Factor

Welcome to X Factor! [wild applause]

Today you get to pick the creature with the most X. That's right. Who do you think has what it takes to be the creature of all creatures?

For their auditions, each contestant must answer the following questions: What do you excel at? Where can you be found? And why do you deserve to be the creature of all creatures?

And our first contestant is:

Jezebel, a demon from the Underworld. [wild applause]

What do you excel at?

First of all, thank you for inviting me here. It would have been disappointing if you'd forgotten me...and probably painful for you. So, on with it.

When I'm not whispering in River Fairchild's ear as her number one Muse – and really, I'm far superior to that Mr. Fluffy guy – I mix a mean punch. Laugh if you dare, but my punch has been known to turn people into dragons or trap the unsuspecting in alternate realities. Ask around. My reputation is legend.

Where can you be found?

Every Tuesday morning you can find me here, at the Demon Market in the Underworld. Best place to find those elusive ingredients for my specialty punches.

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And why do you deserve to be the creature of all creatures?

Why not? Someone has to be the best. And if you don't vote for me, you may find yourself dehydrated into a sandworm.

Our second contestant is:

Baine, a Time Demon on the planet Revelation. [wild applause and wolf-whistles]

What do you excel at?
Death. Misery. Keeping to myself. The usual demon stuff, though I do like to keep The Author mighty busy. She thinks the most demanding demon she's ever created is a vampire by the name of Victory Dead. Wrong. He's not the only one with forever to harass and badger her. Ya'll find I'm good at harassment. Guess I ought to eat a lawyer now. Anyone want to donate their time span for a good cause?

Where can you be found?
At Baine's Land, but don't think you can come visit me. I don't take kindly to visitors, unless I need to renew my time span. If you have any enemies or horses, mortal or immortal, send um my way. Ya'll be doing me a favour.

And why do you deserve to be the creature of all creatures?
Ya'll want to keep your life span? Easy. Vote for me. Then I won't come in the harsh glare of the midday Sunslight and rob you of the pitiful amount of time you have left.

Our third contestant is:

Tawa, a guardian to one of the Fearless and stuffed hippo. [wild applause & sweet coos]

What do you excel at?
Training young girls and guiding women as they become one of the Fearless, warriors who fight monsters born of children's imaginations. I'm very wise, not that anyone usually listens to me.

Where can you be found?
In Abby's backpack, most of the time. Sometimes, when she gets careless, I'm tortured with a ride in the washing machine.

And why do you deserve to be the creature of all creatures?
A creature of all creatures? Really, I think you can come up with a better title than that. Besides, look who I'm up against: demons. I can tell you how to slay one. Not that I'm suggesting you do anything... Yes, well, good guys have the most X. A vote for me is a vote for the good guys.

Our fourth contestant:

The winner from the Q auditions: Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation

His answers: Nothing compares to me. I am awesome. I excel at absolutely everything. Enough said.

Our fifth contestant:

The winner from the I, ice creatures auditions: Icky thing in the ice in the 1982 version of The Thing.

It's answers: I excel at being gross and icky. I will scare the crap out of you. You can find me in the 1982 version of The Thing. I will make you scream and give you nightmares. [I can't argue with that.]

Our illustrious judge's comments:

Rex says:

Mizz Jezebel you have some style. Mmm hmmm, yeah. Yo like mad style. Is Mr. Fluffy Guy in this competition? Obviously you eclipsed him.

Victory, mmm hmm, yeah, it's my job to eat the lawyers. You trying to steal my part, yo? Yo evil comes through loud and clear.

Yo, Tawa! Whoa, man! I need you. You should join my team.

Q, your arrogance is true inspiration to me. Yo. No, I'm not crying.

Icky thing in the ice from The Thing, you still nasty, yo. I need darker sunglasses.

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is underway!

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

X is for X Factor.

A to Z Blogging Challenge: W is for Wraith

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

W is for Wraith

Historically, Wraith was the Scottish word for a ghost or apparition, and usually seen as an omen. In more modern times, literature and movies have cast the Wraith as a more sinister and evil creature, often portrayed as a spectral figure in a cloak of darkness with glowing eyes. Probably the most well known example are the Nazgul, the ring-wraiths from Tolkien's Lord of the Rings.

Wraiths feature in my upcoming dark fantasy book Necromancer, publishing Summer 2014. Here's my description:

"The bones strewn about the floor collected themselves together with a hollow, rattling sound, pulling the ragged, rotten cloth with them. A cloud of dust and the stink of dry rot washed over me. The cowl of its robe fell across its skull, partly obscuring the baleful, blue orbs that pulsed in its eye sockets. A shadowy, transparent body coalesced around the bones. Non-corporeal talons slid silently from its finger bones, and two points of yellow light whirled around its head in a tight orbit, leaving a faint trail in the air. It throbbed with power."

That's what happens when you go digging around in ancient burial mounds... sleep well. :)

A to Z Blogging Challenge: V is for Vampire

We're almost to the end of the alphabet and the A to Z Blogging Challenge.

If you haven't heard of the A to Z Blogging Challenge, check out the A to Z blog. Why not visit a few of the participants or look back over some of our creature-themed posts?

Here at Untethered Realms, we are taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, we are sharing a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

For today's post we have...

V is for Vampire

Polar Night's Aleksei by Heather Holden

When we decided on a theme of magical creatures for our group A to Z I knew right away that I wanted to take the letter V. Vampires are my favorite creatures by far, and a vampire named Aleksei Nechayev is the antagonist of my debut novel Polar Night. 

I admit, I'm not a big fan of the love struck vampires that have become so popular in recent years. I love vampires as monsters and in most cases the more evil they are the better as far as I'm concerned. 

Aleksei is definitely evil. If I had to choose a vampire from popular culture that I think Aleksei is most like I would say Angel's soul-less alter ego Angelus from Buffy the Vampire Slayer, which is the show that first got me hooked on vampires. Aleksei is arrogant and vicious, and he sees humans as nothing more than toys for him to taunt and tease. He revels in his vampire nature rather than brooding over it. In short, he's not a nice guy at all. 

If you like evil vampires, you may like getting to know Aleksei in Polar Night. 

Only four more days (and creatures) to go!

A to Z Blogging Challenge - U is for Unicorn

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.
Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

U is for Unicorn

Most people think of nice, happy, white Unicorns. Not me. My Unicorns are black with crazed, red eyes and murder in their souls. They carry the Riders of the North Wind on their backs and woe to anyone caught out in the open during a Hunt. The Riders and their Unicorn mounts are introduced in book one of the Jewels of Chandra series, Diamonds and Dust.

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What about you? Do you prefer your Unicorns docile and happy or red-eye crazed with steam blowing from their nostrils?

A to Z Blogging Challenge - T is for Time Demon

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is nearing the end. Where did the time go?
If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

T is for Time Demon

canstockphoto.com

A Time Demon is the villain in the title story of my science fiction collection, Taking Time. When I wrote the story, I decided no mortal man would do for the part. My protagonist, a vampire called Victory Dead, needed a worthy foe. So, I created a new type of demon - a Time Demon. Double the size of any man, I gave the demon razor sharp horns that covered his head and back; one horn for each life or time he'd taken from a victim. 

My demon had taken many lives.

Does he take the immortal time from Victory Dead? You'll have to read the story to know how the battle ends.

X is for X factor

On April 28th, Untethered Realms will be holding an X Factor competition to find the creature with the most X. You can help to pick the creature that wins by voting.

For the X Factor, I'm entering my Time Demon. Each creature entered will be asked three questions. Don't forget to stop by and vote.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - S is for Satyrs

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.
Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

S is for Satyrs

Ah, those randy Satyrs, always after the human women. One of the central characters in my Jewels of Chandra series is half-satyr. Lothan is introduced in book one, Diamonds and Dust. His magic comes from his music, playing a flute, and his storytelling skills. He has the ability to bend people's emotions and starts riots when he's not careful about it.

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What do you think about Satyrs? These women seem to be enjoying his company!

R is for REDS!

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is underway!

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will share a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we came up with as entertainment.

R is for REDS!

What are Reds? They’re creatures that I made up for my futuristic thriller, Ruby’s Fire. It takes place on a very changed earth in 2099, at a boarding school for homeless teens. The school is located in Skull's Wrath, in the middle of a vast desert.

I won’t say exactly what Reds are comprised of, but I will say that Thorn, the youngest kid, makes a Red for a competition that will hopefully bring he and his sister, Ruby badly needed cash. I’m also an illustrator, and here's a black and white picture I did of the Reds. The amazing digital illustrator, Jay Montgomery, created the color image for my Ruby’s Fire cover, and here's Ruby with one of the Reds.

Want to guess what a Red is made up of? Fire away—except for those people who have already read Ruby’s Fire and know! I'll tell you if you’re warm, but I won’t tell you exactly what the Red is. For that, you’ll have to read the book.

Questing Q

Yes, on the hunt for Q's... oh my.

I have three Q creatures auditioning for ultimate creature in the X Factor of creatures.

I asked each creature a few questions. What do you excel at? Why should you rule the letter Q? Where can I find you?

First up, is the Questing Beast from the Arthurian Legends fame. It's a great way to make a start in creaturedom. Arthur is enduring. It's answers: I'm nasty and am born of incest. Violence and chaos are my fortes. I destroyed Arthur's kingdom. I am the creature of all creatures.

Quassers are sentient living ships in The Backworlds Series. They make their first appearance in Book 3, Boomtown Craze, but are whispered about in the first two books. It's answers: I kill and maim and have no mercy. You have no right to know why. I will use and exploit your kind to get what I want. The Backworlds will die. The artist did me poor justice.

Our third contestant for representing the letter Q is, Q from Star Trek: The Next Generation. His answers: Nothing compares to me. I am awesome. I excel at absolutely everything.

Our illustrious judge's comments:

Rex says:

Yo, Questing Beast. Mmm hmm, yeah. Mad respect props. Yo almost as old as me in the beast game. Yo, that's something.

Quasser dude. Well, that image of you isn't so scary. Mmm hmm, yeah. But you nasty, yo. Don't want to know you.

Q, if the vote is for biggest pain in the behind, yo, you win.

Audience peeps, you decide. Your vote will send a beast on in the X Factor competition. Who should represent the letter Q?

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is underway!

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Q is for Questing Beast, Quassers, and Q.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - P is for Phage

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is over halfway done!
If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.
Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

P IS FOR PHAGE

 (The Danaid by Rodin)

A phage is a devourer of something. The most popular type is vampires. They are, in essence, blood phages. Yet a phage can feed off many different things.

The world in my WIP, OF BLOOD & SORROW, introduces phages as demons who feed off emotions. Each type devours a certain feeling. Erin Driscol is a sorrow phage. Conveniently, she works at a funeral home, one that caters to supernatural beings. Nonhumans have death rites too.

It's said we are what we eat. Erin is a tragic character, but she has a brave and compassionate heart. Yet will she have the strength to survive whatever is stalking supernaturals at night?

A - Z Blogging Challenge: O is for Orbs

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is underway!

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

 

O is for Orbs

 

 

 

So, you think orbs are just the clear round spots that show up in the backgrounds of photographs? That they're possibly caused by specks of dust floating around?

 

Wrong!

 

In my Afterlife series, the orbs floating around headstones and throughout the cemetery have much more on their, erm, minds, than photo-bombing people's photographs. They're colorful and hypnotic. Enticing, in a siren-luring-ships-against-the-rocks sort of way. They're found where the dead meet the living and everything in between. That's when the merry chase begins. They've held more than one paranormal enthralled for their own devious purposes.

 

But what do they want?

 

Read the first book in the series, Second Death, to find out.

A to Z Challenge - N is for New to Me

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is underway!

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

N is for new creature to me.

Here are new creatures the authors of Untethered Realms would like to tackle:

M. Pax - In the future, I'd like to write about something mischievous like a water sprite.

1896 painting by John William Waterhouse

River Fairchild - I'd like to write a fantasy based on the Norns. The Norns are the three fates of destiny in Norse Mythology, much like the Greek Moirae but with a few important differences. They nurture the giant tree, Yggdrasil, which connects the nine worlds of the Norse Myths in its branches.

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Christine Rains - I would love to put a new spin on one of the classic monsters: the mummy. This isn't just any zombie. This is a royal lich!

(Lon Chaney)

Cherie Reich - I've always wanted to work with gorgons. Medusa and her sisters get a bad rap, and I'd like to explore more gorgons from the three sisters and what they would be like.

Ellie Garratt - I'd like to write about the Furies, the three goddesses of pain who punished evil souls for Hades in the Underworld. I'd like to take them from the Underworld and set them on another planet. Perhaps they went there because Hades sent them? Or were they taken against his will?

Orestes pursued by the Furies by William Adolphe-Bouguereau

Julie Flanders - I've become interested in witches and witchcraft - not the comical image of a witch riding on a broomstick but the witchcraft that involves black magic. I'm currently trying to work on a story that includes this and am learning all I can about amulets, spells, grimoires, and the tools of witchcraft. I'm loving it!

Witch's cauldron from Wikimedia Commons

What creature ignites your imagination?

A to Z Blogging Challenge: M is for Mephinas

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

M is for Mephinas

When I was creating strange creatures for Reborn, I wanted something like a hermaphrodite and incorporate that mythology of the off-spring of Hermes and Aphrodite into The Fate Challenges. Thus, mephinas were born.

The doors opened, and a trumpet sounded. A strange creature with a woman’s body and two heads—one male and one female—entered. I blinked and leaned forward in my chair. Although I knew of mephinas, I hadn’t seen one before. According to legend, the winged god Mephets and love goddess Inashara created the mephinas when they joined together. The gods and Royals used the sacred mephinas as messengers. Their heads spoke in unison, “Presenting Prince Vespar and his contingent from the City of Apentha.” - an excerpt from Reborn

 Sadly, mephinas did not inherit their father's wings, which would make travel much quicker. They are also shy creatures, so there are no pictures of mephinas out there.

A to Z Blogging Challenge - L is for Laelaps

We're almost to the halfway point of this year's A to Z Challenge ! To see more participants, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

L is for Laelaps

Source: Wikimedia Commons

When my dog Clancy heard I wrote about a magical cat for my "C" post here he was outraged and demanded equal treatment for his kind. Luckily for me there is a magical dog in Greek mythology called Laelaps. 

Laelaps was given to Europa of Krete by the god Zeus. The dog was famous for being destined to always catch his prey. He was so fast he was known as the "storm wind." 

Eventually Laelaps found himself with Kephalos of Athens, who sent him to catch the Teumassian Fox. The fox was wreaking havoc around Athens but, unfortunately for Laelaps, he was destined to never be caught. So the dog who always caught his prey being sent after the fox who could never be caught created a paradox. 

Canis Major & Minor (Source: Wikimedia Commons)

In response, Zeus intervened and placed the two canines in the heavens as the constellations Canis Major and Minor. Now Laelaps is destined to chase the fox across the night sky for all eternity. 

A to Z Blogging Challenge: K is for Karshiptas

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

Today we have...

K is for Karshiptas

When I was scouring mythologies for talking birds, I came across the karshipta from Persian mythology. Although my karshiptas aren't so noble to spread religion, they do send messages.

“Babak said the boat from Amora has arrived.” Dad’s arm brushed against mine.

“Send him to the harbor. Have him tell them I’m not coming.” Our karshipta, a talking falcon-like bird, could deliver the message. I hated I wasted the priest, the ferryman, and that boy’s time, but their journey back was only three days with favorable winds and the magical current rushing them toward Amora. - an excerpt from Reborn

A - Z Blogging Challenge: J is for Jinn

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is underway!

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

 

 

J is for Jinn.

  

I came across the idea of Jinn while writing the first book in my Afterlife novella series called Second Death. While the word Jinn is related to the better known Genie, they're actually miles apart in meaning. We all know if you find and rub the magic lamp, a genie will emerge and grant you three wishes. But Jinn are at once more complicated and more sinister than that. While made of smokeless fire, they can take different forms (dogs, cats, snakes, birds, dragons), including human and can also inhabit an existing human, much like a demon. They can be good, bad or indifferent.

But here's what I find even more interesting than the Jinn themselves; the atmosphere in which they live.  According to Wikipedia, they "inhabit an unseen world in dimensions beyond the visible universe of humans." A world just like the human world, with a hierarchical lineage, communities, schools, etc. This information set the synapses in my imagination every which way...

What was the result?

The cemetery in Second Death, or more specifically the abandoned old dilapidated building on the cemetery property. What's different about it? It transforms into Gertrude's Garden, a gathering place for paranormals, including ghosts, jinn, kitsoon and shadow people. A place where all dimensions can gather in a neutral atmosphere, with a nightclub-like setting. Time doesn't exist there, as my characters found out when they emerged several hours later to discover only fifteen minutes had passed.

And fair warning: never, ever, drink the punch!

Ice Creatures

What's in an I? Some say it's the window to the soul. Maybe into the ice.

Three ice creatures are auditioning to represent the letter I in the X Factor competition.

I asked each creature a few questions. What do you excel at? Why should you rule the letter I? Where can I find you?

The first, the icky thing in the ice in The Thing. Lots of I's there. It's answers: I excel at being gross and icky. I will scare the crap out of you. You can find me in the 1982 version of The Thing. I will make you scream and give you nightmares. [I can't argue with that.]

The second contestant is called an Im. It's answers: I have lots of secrets and I can help Backworlders defeat the Quassers - cloud-like genocidal murderous aliens. You can find me and my kind in Worlds on Edge, Backworlds Book 5. I will make you feel like you're on drugs sometimes, but I'm not horrid - except for the artist's rendition of me.

The third contestant is Snow Beast. It's answers: I excel at killing. I run around growling, slobbering, and eating people. You can find me in the movie Snow Beast. I'm the star, because I am a star.

Our illustrious judge's comments:

Rex says:

Icky thing from The Thing, yo. I think I peed myself a little. Mmm hmm, wild audition yo.

Im... yo, you strange. I like that and that awful drawing of you looks like a hairy turd. Yo, I'm laughing and that's good.

Snow beast. Mmm hmm, yo. I'm not sure about you, but thanks for entering the contest.

Yo, audience peeps. You like have big sway. Your votes will decide who goes on in the X Factor contest.


So which creature should represent the letter I?

The A to Z Blogging Challenge is underway!

If you haven't heard of it, check out the A to Z blog and join in the fun.

Here at Untethered Realms, we're taking on the Challenge as a group. Each day, one of us will be sharing with you a fantastical creature that may be from one of our books, a favorite movie, or something we just came up with as entertainment.

I is for Ims and ice creatures.