Unrelenting

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1006, 2018

Happy 5th birthday to the idea of The Grigori

Marie Parks/ June 10, 2018/ Writing Process/ 0 comments

It’s been five whole years to the day since we first started rattling around the idea for The Grigori. In celebration, we’re sharing with you a (mostly) unedited transcript of our instant messenger on June 10, 2013.

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Unrelenting: Book One of The Deathless Gods

  • Coming Spring 2022

Book Two of The Deathless Gods

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You often hear the advice, "Write what you know."⁠ .⁠ So that's why our story takes place in Cleveland, Ohio, Jessi's hometown...⁠ .⁠ And our main character is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Marie's hometown.⁠ .⁠ Have you ever been to either city? Tell us about your experience in the comments!⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #thriller #urbanfantasybooks #bookquotes #bookquote #thecle #clevelandohio #notapipepub #winstonsalem #writewhatyouknow
A chill crept over Bridget as she stepped forward. A chill crept over Bridget as she stepped forward. The high, glassless windows gaped down at her like silent observers as she moved through the alleyway. Rubble still littered the back corner, and decayed trash bags spilled out from the upended dumpster.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #thriller #urbanfantasybooks #bookquotes #bookquote #notapipepub
Marie here! You can also follow me at @themariepar Marie here! You can also follow me at @themarieparks.⁠ .⁠ Here's what's up for me, when I'm not writing.⁠ .⁠ 😍 Personal Life: I traveled a bunch in June to see family and friends I hadn’t hugged since the pre-Pandemic-end-times. It was wonderful, as expected. This pic is from my trip to White Sands.⁠ .⁠ ⛰️ Excited About: I’ll be backpacking in Colorado with a dear friend in August. It’s been a long time since I headed into the wilderness with just a pack, so I’m pumped!⁠ .⁠ 📘 Currently Reading: I’m in the midst of reading Foundryside by @robertjacksonbennett. I’ve been looking for inspiration as I work on my solo fiction project, a social justice fantasy heist.⁠ .⁠ 🍦 Currently Eating: I’m serving this dessert recipe from my grandmother at a get-together today:⁠ Oreo Ice Cream Dessert (contains dairy, gluten, sugar, and nuts)⁠ Ingredients:⁠ 20 Oreo cookies, crushed⁠ ½ cup butter, divided⁠ ½ gallon butter pecan ice cream, softened⁠ 2 squares unsweetened chocolate (100% cacao)⁠ ⅔ cups sugar⁠ ⅔ cups evaporated milk⁠ 1 teaspoon vanilla⁠ Cool Whip⁠ Almonds, sliced⁠ Directions:⁠ 1. Melt ¼ cup of the butter and mix with the crushed cookies. Pat in the bottom of a 9x13 in pan. Freeze.⁠ 2. Spread ice cream on top of cookie crust. Freeze.⁠ 3. Melt the chocolate and remaining ¼ cup butter. Add sugar, milk, and vanilla. Boil 4 minutes. Cool.⁠ 4. Pour sauce on top of frozen ice cream.⁠ 5. Top with Cool Whip and sliced almonds.⁠ 6. Keep frozen until ready to serve.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amreading #amwriting #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor
Jessi here! You can follow me at @jessihonard.⁠ Jessi here! You can follow me at @jessihonard.⁠ .⁠ Here's what I'm currently up to:⁠ .⁠ 😍 Personal Life: I’ve just spent some time with my immediate family for the first time since January 2019. It was amazing to spend some quality time with them.⁠ .⁠ 🛥️ Excited About: This fall Marie and I will be attending the Writing Excuses retreat, and I’ve been counting the days. It’s a fabulous event with so many incredible people.⁠ .⁠ 🎧 Currently Listening To: Sporadic Phantoms, an Animorphs themed podcast and Just Keep Writing, a wonderful podcast for writers, by writers.⁠ .⁠ 📘 Currently Reading: I’ve been reading a lot of queer YA lately! I just finished Felix Ever After by @kacen.callender, and it was a wonderful, heartfelt story. Next up is Cinderella is Dead by @kalynnbayron.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #amreading #animorphs #queerya
“Detective, it’s Bridget. I’m following up o “Detective, it’s Bridget. I’m following up on the lead you promised to investigate today. Please call me back as soon as possible.”⁠ .⁠ She ended the call and lowered her phone, no closer to answers.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #thriller #urbanfantasybooks #bookquotes #bookquote #notapipepub
We've selected a cover artist for Unrelenting!⁠ We've selected a cover artist for Unrelenting!⁠ .⁠ The cover is still in production, and we can't tell you who yet... but we are SO excited about this part of the process. And we continue to be so grateful for the support of @notapipepub through this whole journey.⁠ .⁠ There's just something about having a cover in the works really makes it feel real.⁠ .⁠ What would you envision on the cover?⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks #historicfantasy #thriller #coverartist #bookpublishing #notapipepub
We were so honored to be named finalists in the 20 We were so honored to be named finalists in the 2020 @bookpipeline Unpublished Competition. So it was extra fun when they asked to interview us!⁠ .⁠ And they were SO complimentary in their questions, we were pinching ourselves. Like… you’re talking about OUR book?⁠ .⁠ It’s amazing to hear that others have enjoyed and appreciated reading what we’ve written.⁠ .⁠ Read the full interview by clicking the link in our bio.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #authorinterview #bookpipeline #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #thriller #urbanfantasybooks
All that remained of the window was a gaping hole All that remained of the window was a gaping hole and a few jagged pieces of glass.⁠ .⁠ She peered in.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks #thriller #bookquotes #bookquote
Some Unrelenting trivia for you...⁠ ⁠ Earlier Some Unrelenting trivia for you...⁠ ⁠ Earlier drafts started with a prologue set during the French Revolution.⁠ ⁠ That prologue has been cut, but you may see it in a future work...⁠ ⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #bookstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #versaillesfrance #urbanfantasyauthor #contemporaryfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks #historicfantasy
We are thrilled to announce Unrelenting will be pu We are thrilled to announce Unrelenting will be published in Spring 2022 by @notapipepub ! 🎉🍾📖 In this contemporary fantasy debut, you’ll follow a determined young woman named Bridget on her search for Dahlia, her missing sister. When she discovers the disappearance is linked to a hidden, magical society, Bridget must decide how much she’s willing to sacrifice to find Dahlia. The book will be available through all major booksellers, and we will let you know how to pre-order it once we get closer to the release date. For now, we invite you to celebrate with us! You can hugely support us by signing up for our email list using the link in our bio. Plus you can follow the authors @jessihonard and @themarieparks here on IG. And special thanks to @bookpipeline , who selected Unrelenting as a finalist in the 2020 Book Pipeline Unpublished Contest and introduced us to Not a Pipe! #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #urbanfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks #contemporaryfantasynovel #amreading #speculativefiction #noveldebut #debutnovel #coauthor #coauthors
Sucking in a shaky breath, Bridget crept into the Sucking in a shaky breath, Bridget crept into the alleyway. Cold immediately fell upon her as the sun slid out of sight. Buildings stretched upward on either side, giving her the sense she was at the bottom of a deep chasm.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #thrillerauthor #urbanfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks #thriller
E is for Edgar Allen Poe.⁠ .⁠ This was perhaps E is for Edgar Allen Poe.⁠ .⁠ This was perhaps both of our earliest lessons in creating a pervasive environment and mood with simply words. As children, we were both entranced by his short stories and poems.⁠ .⁠ Jessi had a chance to return to Poe as a high school English teacher, passing on the works to a new generation.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram #edgarallenpoe
D is for Dahl, Roald. @roald_dahl⁠ .⁠ Hands do D is for Dahl, Roald. @roald_dahl⁠ .⁠ Hands down, one of our very favorite children's authors, then and now. And then, as adults, we found his short stories for grown-up. Spine tingling, to be sure.⁠ .⁠ Marie's favorite Dahl book was The Witches (thus this sweet mouce). It made her cry and cry.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #roalddahl #kidslit #childrensliterature #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram
“I… look, I know it sounds stupid, but I'm in “I… look, I know it sounds stupid, but I'm in this group. Sort of a club, I guess. We’re…” he trailed off.⁠ .⁠ “What?” she demanded.⁠ .⁠ He swallowed, fidgeting. “We’re a paranormal investigation club,” he said, voice small.⁠ .⁠ She stared at him. “So you're like… a ghost hunter or something?” He nodded, and her heart sank. So he was crazy after all.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #thrillerauthor #urbanfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks
C is for Chen, Mike. @mikechenwriter⁠ .⁠ We st C is for Chen, Mike. @mikechenwriter⁠ .⁠ We stumbled across Here and Now and Then as a potential comp title for our own novel, and got COMPLETELY sucked into the story.⁠ .⁠ We loved the Kin's struggle to connect with--and save--his daughter across an impossible distance: more than a hundred years.⁠ .⁠ We loved watching him wrestle with his two lives.⁠ .⁠ And, of course, we loved all the nerdy #scifi references, the mouthwatering descriptions of food, and the author's vision of the future.⁠ .⁠ We ARE using the novel as a comp title because of the similar themes, but let's be real. Chen's story is more heartwarming than ours. And we loved every second.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #luckypenny #authorsofinstagram #authorsofig #mikechen
B is for Brooks, Geraldine.⁠ .⁠ People of the B is for Brooks, Geraldine.⁠ .⁠ People of the Book was one of Marie's favorite reads from the past decade. History, interwoven stories, museums, wars, and a deep love for a book.⁠ .⁠ This is one to get your hands on in-person if you can. Marie read it as an e-book, and didn't realize how much she'd missed out on.⁠ .⁠ #geraldinebrooks #peopleofthebook #authorsofig #authorsofinstagram
"At least she had a plan. A loose, unformed plan, "At least she had a plan. A loose, unformed plan, but it was better than nothing. As she settled among the blankets, she hoped it would be enough."⁠ ⁠.⁠ Sounds kinda like 2020. Why did we even bother getting planners?⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #thrillerauthor #urbanfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks
We've always turned to authors, all our lives, whe We've always turned to authors, all our lives, when times are good or bad. Their stories have meant so much to us, so we wanted to start a series honoring some of the authors who have been so important to us over the years... a day for each letter of the alphabet.⁠ ⁠.⁠ A is for Applegate, KA.⁠ ⁠.⁠ A Newbery winner, we both fell in love with her Animorphs series. We were in 5th grade when this 5th grade reading level sci fi series released at Scholastic book fairs at our respective schools.⁠ ⁠.⁠ At first blush, it's a series about kids turning into animals to fight aliens.⁠ ⁠.⁠ Upon actually reading them, it's a complex, deep, and stark look at the horrors of war, the impossibility of remaining clean even as the "good guys." It's about loss, pacifism, sacrifice, slavery, codependency, leadership, brutality, friendship, and grief. It remains one of the most powerful, driving reads either of us has ever experienced... wacky 90s references and all.⁠ ⁠.⁠ As adults, still in awe of Animorphs, we met on a forum for the series. Upon becoming friends there, we realized we both lived in the same city and became IRL friends, camping buddies, and business partners. Marie even met her husband thanks to the forum. To say these books are important to us is an understatement.⁠ ⁠.⁠ Here's to you, Katherine Applegate. We appreciate you so much. You ignited such a love for books within us both.⁠ ⁠.⁠ #kaapplegate #animorphs #authorsofig #igbooks #authorsofinstagram #scifi
We're all stuck at home right now. But if you coul We're all stuck at home right now. But if you could read anywhere, where would you crack open a book?⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amreading #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #clevelandohio #thecle #urbanfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks⁠
It was all too obvious that Detective Ivanova had It was all too obvious that Detective Ivanova had written Dahlia off.⁠ .⁠ Bridget was the only one who still cared. The only one who still hoped.⁠ .⁠ I will find my sister, she thought as she stepped out into the cold night. I will. No matter the cost.⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #clevelandohio #thecle #urbanfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks⁠
We aren’t sure what the Writing Excuses Retreat We aren’t sure what the Writing Excuses Retreat for #WXR2020 will look like due to the pandemic. But whatever format it takes, we are looking forward to learning once again from wonderful mentors like these two experts (@maryrobinettekowal and @authordanwells ) and more.⁠ .⁠ What learning opportunities are you looking forward to in these strange times? .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ .⁠ #amwriting #igbooks #amwritingfantasy #authorlife #authorsofinstagram #nanowrimo #thegrigoribooks #contemporaryfantasy #clevelandohio #thecle #urbanfantasyauthor #urbanfantasy #urbanfantasybooks⁠
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