22 Comments

Oh my God, Justin! This is so great. I definitely laughed when I saw your subtitle mentioning 3 parts. It's fun when our stories become the boss of us, isn't it? Mine have a weird tendency to become novels when I'm not looking. 😁 You've built up some fantastic tension here and I'm very eager for next week's installment. And the one that comes after it, should this become a four-parter. 😉

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Haha! 🤣 It didn’t take long for me to realize I’d need to make a “slight” adjustment. Most of my longer stories/WIPs act in this fashion. The characters take over, and before I know it, the story has run its own course. For me that’s the beauty and magic (and fun) in writing! And yes, it’s so true - sometimes novels develop before we know what hit us!

Thank you so much for the kind words. I’m happy you’re enjoying the story! It’s been a blast to write. 😄

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Justin Deming

"We pass through it quickly and descend deeper into the woods, into the wild. That phrase has taken on an entirely new meaning, no doubt about it."

It sure has, Justin! I appreciate your multi-sensory descriptions -- visual, auditory, olfactory ( (eeeeuw!) and touch. Brrrrr. Now we all have to simply "grubusk" and wait a week. I cannot imagine where this will end.

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Haha! Thanks so much, Sharron. I’m happy you’re enjoying this genre-mash of a story. I know how it’s going to end - I have an idea, at least - but I’m not entirely sure how we’ll get there!

Time for me to “grubusk” and get writing! 😄

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Justin Deming

Could use a bit of what is in Cormac's flask to tone down my anxiousness while waiting for the next installment.

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Justin Deming

I'll drink to that!

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Count me in!

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Shades of Middle Earth! Heading over to Part 3.

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I continue to be fascinated with all things subterranean--anxiously awaiting the next part!

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Thank you, Amie! I’m happy you’re enjoying it. 😊🙏

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A thrilling second installment to be sure! I loved the Tolkien references, especially comparing the dwarves' home to Moria. I could picture it immediately. Looking forward to part 3!

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Thanks so much, Claire! Happy to hear you enjoyed it! 😀

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Very enjoyable so far and great descriptive word use. I'm still a work in progress when it comes to that. I will be starting a new story soon to do with a fairy community. I'm looking forward to next weeks chapter.

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Thanks so much for reading, Pennie. I’m happy you’re enjoying it. And thanks for the kind words. It’s tricky finding the right balance between description and movement/action. I feel like I’m a work in progress too, ha! I’d love to read your story! I’ll have to come check it out.

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I should be posting the first chapter in about a week.

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Jan 10, 2023Liked by Justin Deming

I am really enjoying this, Justin. As I read it, I feel the cold and the dark and the frightening atmosphere that your two main characters must be feeling. This story reminds me a little bit of one you wrote years ago. I remember the protagonist was somehow in a castle, then a prison, and then he went off in disguise on a ship to look for gold....You will have to refresh my memory, but the atmosphere of that one stayed with me, if not the details!! Maybe the main character was named Cade?

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Can't wait for the last installment!

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Thanks Jason!

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Jan 9, 2023Liked by Justin Deming

great response!

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This is great, Justin! Keep up the good work, I can’t wait for the ending!

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Thanks so much, Kim! 🙌

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Thank you so much, Andrea! It’s been a lot of fun to write. I wrote this story so far in two sittings and lost track of time in both instances. That’s when I know I’m enjoying it, haha. I love getting lost in stories!

Yes - The Gold Rush! Ah, it makes me smile that you remember it! I love those characters. You nailed it. Cade is the protagonist, and his sidekick is named Sully. I’ll have to pay them a visit sometime. There are so many stories and novels I’d like to finish, and this is definitely one of them!

Thanks again for always reading my work, Andrea. You have no idea how much it means to me! I’ll send you an email soon!

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