{"id":2555,"date":"2020-07-06T21:02:55","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T04:02:55","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/?p=2555"},"modified":"2020-07-06T15:11:35","modified_gmt":"2020-07-06T22:11:35","slug":"stories-as-a-journey-amber-polo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/2020\/07\/06\/stories-as-a-journey-amber-polo\/","title":{"rendered":"Seeing stories as a journey: Amber Polo"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every Story Is a Journey<\/strong><\/p>\n

\"The<\/a>After writing for twenty years and publishing eight books, I finally figured out my brand\u2014journeys. A road trip across country, a trip back in time, or a peek into a character\u2019s mind, words take us on journeys. We don\u2019t always know where we\u2019ll end up, but sometimes we sit back and enjoy the journey.<\/p>\n

The Pharaoh and the Librarian<\/a> started as a prequel to a series. I rewrote. And rewrote. Along the way I asked for critiques. Editors said many nice things and some things I ignored. I sent the last version to my dream editor through Reedsy. She told me the same things. And finally I listened. She said the manuscript had an intriguing theme and series of events with an episodic life story kind of feel. And that it wasn\u2019t necessarily a good thing.<\/p>\n

I told her that her comments mirrored my life as well as my writing and, if I hadn\u2019t been so shocked at the revelation, it would be funny. Yes! Intriguing theme? Series of events? Check. If I drew a map of my life it would be a maze of cross country travels. Yet episodic worked for me. I wouldn\u2019t have wanted it any other way.<\/p>\n

Looking back, I see each of my books as a journey. I even included some maps to help the reader follow along. Recovered<\/a>, the third in my shapeshifter librarian series, my favorite and the most episodic, featured villains chasing my protagonists across the country. Looking even further back, my first romance novel \u201cHearts in the Vortex,\u201d had a traveling-around-Sedona episodic feel.<\/p>\n

So what\u2019s next? It\u2019s time for me to pull out a manuscript that\u2019s as close to autobiographical as I\u2019ll ever write. And, no surprise, my protagonists jump all over the country living episodic lives. Over a 20 year period they stop at many of the places I loved on my own cross country adventures, not knowing the other is also there. (Yes, I do believe in coincidences.)<\/p>\n

What\u2019s most fun about a journey? Sharing the beloved places with friends and readers. Hope readers will join my two Egyptian girls and their journeys to a new world.<\/p>\n

\"TheBlurb: <\/strong><\/p>\n

What if Cleopatra faked her death and escaped on a pirate ship? While her sister sailed for Wales with the most valuable ancient books from her Library of Alexandria? And they both landed in an imagined new world filled with crypto-creatures and historical humans?<\/p>\n

Trekking to the desert of 1st century New Mexico, Cleo from the Yucatan and Alex from Nova Scotia, they\u2019d need bravery and help from friends and lovers to evade inner demons and determined villains across an uncharted wilderness.<\/p>\n

Alternate history- Fantasy-Romance – Adventure!<\/p>\n

\"Map:<\/a>Excerpt: <\/strong><\/p>\n

When Alex emerged from her hut the next morning, Dylan lay in wait. She looked up into his glowering countenance. \u201cWhat do you want?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy sister told me you plan to accompany your books on the voyage? She must be mistaken.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShe is correct. That is my plan.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you mad?\u201d<\/p>\n

She shrugged and walked on, facing forward, ignoring the giant Druid at her heels. \u201cPerhaps.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlexandria, wait. The journey is long and dangerous. And very cold.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo be it.\u201d She kept walking.<\/p>\n

He grasped her arm and made her stop and face him. \u201cI\u2019m not talking about ordinary danger. Entire ships do not survive the three-month ocean journey. The crossing is treacherous. Filled with hardships. A ship is no place for a woman.\u201d<\/p>\n

Her body stiffened. \u201cNo place for a woman! You told me Viking women captain ships.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou are no Viking.\u201d He stepped back and rubbed his head.<\/p>\n

Her face reddened. \u201cI am Alexandria Ptolemy of Egypt. I will accompany the most valuable library in the world to its new home. If you refuse to go, then stay.\u201d Alex turned on her heel and marched to the caves to continue preparations for the journey. She might not be as courageous as Cleo, but she could be as stubborn.<\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

Months later, Alex furrowed her brows against the bitter cold wind. If this was what Vikings called spring, they were truly mad. The ships she\u2019d purchased with Egyptian gold had arrived. Her library, now well-protected inside shells and sealed in skins, was packed into their holds. And, with word that the ice had cleared from their chosen route, Dylan and the Viking captain Skrymir, a giant man with a mustache curled like the horns of a wild mountain sheep, were ready to sail.<\/p>\n

Gwynne led them, blue cape furling, to the standing stones for a Druid ceremony. Alex smiled, for the Druid queen no longer appeared ferocious. Her friend\u2019s blue-stained face was lined with kindness and concern.<\/p>\n

\u201cAre you determined to make this voyage, dear daughter of the pyramids?\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex nodded. \u201cI must go with my books to see them to a safe land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDylan is an adventurer, but a good sailor and navigator. Many have trusted their lives to him.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cMy library is more important than my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwynne embraced Alex. \u201cI have enjoyed your company and wished for you to stay here in Wales, but I understand your dedication. I, along with my librarians, will fight off the Roman wolves as long as we can, so none will know you have left. We have our swords, shields, and magic caldrons. My second, Boudicca, is most formidable. And Y Draid Goch<\/em>, our Red Dragon, defends Wales.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex held her friend tight. She would miss the Druid Ovate. She\u2019d learned much from her and spent many days with books and tea of lemon balm and peppermint, and many evenings with mead and stories.<\/p>\n

Gwynne\u2019s eyes closed. \u201cI have seen a vision. Your books safe in a valley where you will build a new library.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you. I will do my best to make that happen.\u201d As comforting as Gwynne\u2019s vision had been, fear of the unknown filled Alex\u2019s heart. Cleo had often called Alex an obsessive introvert who shunned life. Now she must prove Cleo\u2019s words wrong.<\/p>\n

Gwynne stepped to Alex and removed Alex\u2019s cape. Then with a flourish took off her own blue cape and placed it over Alex\u2019s shoulders. \u201cMay this keep you warm and safe with Druid magic.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex felt the weight of the cape like a comfort and her eyes teared with gratitude. Through the blur she saw Gwynne point to the sky. She looked up and saw a crimson flash soar over the standing stones, then circle back. Flames burst from the dragon\u2019s jaws. It flapped its sharp forked tail. The people below cheered.<\/p>\n

\u201cThere is one more gift.\u201d Gwynne waved Dylan to her side. \u201cCome to the Circle.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex and Dylan followed Gwynne to the center of the standing stones.<\/p>\n

Gwynne\u2019s eyes shone with tears as she took Alex\u2019s left hand and placed it in Dylan\u2019s right. \u201cAlexandria of Alexandria, daughter of Pharaohs, I give you my most precious gift, my brother Dylan, Prince of the Anglesey Druids, and Lord of Ynys M\u00f4n.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex\u2019s mouth opened letting in a gulp of frigid air. \u201cWhat do you mean?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dylan squeezed her hand. \u201cMy sister is giving me to you.\u201d<\/p>\n

Gwynne smiled. \u201cMy brother understands it will be a long and dangerous voyage. With Dylan as your husband, you will have protection.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cNo,\u201d Alex protested, attempting to pull her hand back from Dylan\u2019s warm grasp. \u201cThis cannot be. I have vowed never to wed.\u201d She looked into Dylan\u2019s sea-blue eyes. \u201cTell your sister she is mad.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dylan held Alex\u2019s hand fast. \u201cI bow to the authority of my Druid queen. Gwynne, make haste with the ritual. My bride and I sail with the tide.\u201d<\/p>\n

Alex opened her mouth to protest but only a very un-royal sputter escaped.<\/p>\n

With that, Gwynne spoke quickly in the dialect Alex had not yet mastered, and in minutes Dylan had transferred a gold ring from his finger to hers and clasped her in a warm embrace. She stood stunned when Gwynne ordered, \u201cNow circle the stones. Then all will be complete.\u201d<\/p>\n

Dylan\u2019s voice was gentle. \u201cCome with me three times around the stone circle and it shall be done. I promise you shall not regret what my sister has decreed.\u201d<\/p>\n

 <\/strong>Available: <\/strong>Amazon print and ebook<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n

Bio: <\/strong><\/p>\n

\"Amber<\/strong>Amber Polo, constantly asking \u201cWhat if\u2026?\u201d has a hard time writing in one genre. Best known for The Shapeshifters\u2019 Library<\/em><\/a> urban fantasy series which asked what if librarian dog-shifters faced book-burning werewolves, she shares her love of libraries and fascination with creatures and places, real and not-so-real, in The Pharaoh and the Librarian<\/em><\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Author of award-winning fantasies and Arizona romances, Amber relaxes stressed writers and readers. Her book, Relaxing the Writer<\/em><\/a> offers a catalog of suggestions and simple exercises while her calming CDs help almost anyone relax and find restful sleep.  Heads in the Clouds<\/em><\/a> won Best Romance in the New Mexico-Arizona Book Awards and her essay \u201cTrick or Treat\u201d won the national Story Circle Network Susan Wittig Albert LifeWriting Competition.<\/p>\n

To learn more about Amber and her books, find her at:<\/strong><\/p>\n

Website and Blog<\/a><\/p>\n

Facebook Author Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Amazon Author Page<\/a><\/p>\n

Goodreads<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Every Story Is a Journey After writing for twenty years and publishing eight books, I finally figured out my brand\u2014journeys. A road trip across country, a trip back in time, or a peek into a character\u2019s mind, words take us on journeys. We don\u2019t always know where we\u2019ll end up, but sometimes we sit back … Continue reading “Seeing stories as a journey: Amber Polo”<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":false,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2}},"categories":[5,4,1377,1],"tags":[1086,1408,1406,83,1407],"class_list":["post-2555","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-author-information","category-book-topics","category-new","category-uncategorized","tag-adventure","tag-alternate-history","tag-amber-polo","tag-fantasy-romance","tag-the-pharaoh-and-the-librarian"],"jetpack_publicize_connections":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_shortlink":"https:\/\/wp.me\/p9wA33-Fd","jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_likes_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2555"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2565,"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2555\/revisions\/2565"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2555"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2555"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nomadauthors.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2555"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}