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The Kitten Psychologist and the Kitten Come to a Conclusion

Thea van Diepen

(Just jumping in now? Read the previous installment, The Kitten Psychologist and What the Kitten Did, or start at the beginning with The Kitten Psychologist.) Both Worn Jeans and Green Shirt looked at me. “Well, I have been having a hard time getting patients.” I said. “How did you know?” “You told me about it. Before you knew I was sentient. And you’d told everyone else about it just before then, if not so bluntly as you did me.” The kitten glared

In the Forest of Night (a Hunter and Prey excerpt)

Thea van Diepen

In celebration of the first draft being completed, here’s an excerpt (everything is subject to change, as this is a first draft. Note that, because all the words after the 70,000 word mark are spoilers, this comes from somewhere in the middle, and I am very much resisting giving any sort of context to it): Out of bed, covers thrown back, door opened and into the tunnel. Empty behind her. Empty in front— A wolf. The tunnels empty save for a wolf.

The Lullaby (a Hunter and Prey excerpt)

Thea van Diepen

In celebration of the first draft reaching 70,000 words, here’s an excerpt (everything is subject to change, as this is a first draft. Note that a small section has been removed because spoilers): The man’s magic made straight for the dark place and the crack in the dark place, which it entered into before she could stop it. As it did, the man himself vanished again, which did not disguise his footsteps as he ran past Adren, off the bridge, off the

How to Open a Door in the Most Awkward Way Possible (a Hunter and Prey excerpt)

Thea van Diepen

In celebration of the first draft reaching 60,000 words, here’s an excerpt (everything is subject to change, as this is a first draft): Someone knocked at the door, and Nadin yelled, jumping back before he clued in. Then, feeling sheepish, he went to see who it was. He remembered at the last second that he was still holding the book. Flustered, Nadin tried to find a place for it. All too far away to reach quickly. “Art thou well?” The voice was

Can We Become Foreigners in the Stories We Create?

Thea van Diepen

When writers write, we invariably include our perspective into what we create. This can be a good thing when done in service of the story, but, when overdone, it becomes preaching. Or, if only just overdone, undermines the integrity of the world and characters we create. During my gap year, I read Talyn by Holly Lisle. The world she creates is fascinating, absorbing, and yet there was something jarring about it. Not because of the world itself. But because all her