Excerpts allow readers to read sections of books that an author enjoyed writing, or a reader has mentioned that they loved a scene. They can also be used as an essential tool to show importance of specific sections and show the writing style of the author.
This is the original artwork for The Egyptian Heir's cover
Artwork by: Rebecca Romphf
Though this is not an excerpt, it is a beautiful piece of art that I want to share! Rebecca took my horrible sketch and created exactly what I was imagining for my cover.
The bullying truly begins
This excerpt is when Cassy truly learns that she is being the target of bullying, but with a twist. She is confused and doesn't understand how Zack can switch on and off the aggression. At one moment he will say horrible things to her, and then in the same moment, as her to go out.
“You’re still going to deny my request?” Zack wondered softly.
Cassy slammed the knife down, unable to focus on cutting the vegetables while her annoyance grew at his question. “If it has anything to do with you, I will never agree to it.”
His pestering hardly ceased before he tried his hand at a new tactic and started to add friendly conversation. Anytime someone came too close, he spewed out mockery. Once they were out of hearing distance, he reverted to a soft-spoken boy as they worked. Cassy’s migraine of confusion increased. Eventually, he decided to add in a small tidbit that sent her into a spiral of nausea.
“Somehow the school caught wind of me tormenting you. . .”
Did Vince tell Michael?
He placed their pizza onto the metal pan and tossed it into the oven to bake for twenty minutes. “Since we were still on school property, I’ve received two more detentions because of you.”
She sealed her lips from shouting aloud and altered her glance to the floor. Before she knew it, he was tight against her, with a hand creeping up her arm.
“Prepare yourself for some trouble.”
Cassy slammed the knife down, unable to focus on cutting the vegetables while her annoyance grew at his question. “If it has anything to do with you, I will never agree to it.”
His pestering hardly ceased before he tried his hand at a new tactic and started to add friendly conversation. Anytime someone came too close, he spewed out mockery. Once they were out of hearing distance, he reverted to a soft-spoken boy as they worked. Cassy’s migraine of confusion increased. Eventually, he decided to add in a small tidbit that sent her into a spiral of nausea.
“Somehow the school caught wind of me tormenting you. . .”
Did Vince tell Michael?
He placed their pizza onto the metal pan and tossed it into the oven to bake for twenty minutes. “Since we were still on school property, I’ve received two more detentions because of you.”
She sealed her lips from shouting aloud and altered her glance to the floor. Before she knew it, he was tight against her, with a hand creeping up her arm.
“Prepare yourself for some trouble.”
Music can bring calm
This excerpt shows how even in the pits of an endless hell, music can bring the calm to fears and anxieties.
Cassy and Zack laid on the floor, side by side. The clouds flashed by, and the lights splashed away with the sunset. Zack hummed a nameless tune while Cassy contemplated how fast everything had changed. Eventually, she concentrated on Zack’s music. She stroked his chest, enjoying the tranquility that they could have while in such a horrible predicament.
Strained Sibling Relationship
A relationship with a sibling can become strained when someone feels wronged by the other. Michael is not reacting as he should as a brother, but as a guardian, he's trying his best. Cassy begins to empathetically view him with the struggles he is also experiencing.
… Michael towed his little sister into the overbearing house. Flinging her onto the couch, he paced.
“Why didn’t you let anyone know where you were going?”
“It’s not that big of a deal…”
“Yes, it is, Cassy! You can’t just sneak out. Not only are you still grounded, but me not knowing where you are puts us all at risk of you being taken away. Cassy, please, I’m begging you! I need to know!” he pleaded. “At least I knew you weren’t out with that boy again.” He massaged his quickly aging forehead. “If he hadn’t come over, I wouldn’t have realized that you were even gone! Luckily, Mark came over and noticed that I was panicked.”
Cassy slumped, showing how defeated she was with all the drama. “I didn’t think it was such an issue...” she apologized sheepishly. “Rebecca invited me to go.”
Michael’s hands landed on her shoulder when he squatted in front of her. It had taken years for them to talk to one another so courteously.
“Cassy, I need you to talk to me. I’m only a guardian. At any time, if the government deems me unfit, I’ll lose you guys. I refuse to allow that to happen. You deserve a much better life than being trapped at some foster home until you’re of age. Please, I’m begging. I get you have some pent-up anger, and I’ll have to work on that, but we, as a family, need to work together to make this arrangement work. I still love my baby sister and hate that I’m not able to talk to you like Brant, or Vince, or even Buddy is able to.”
Cassy redirected her eyes when she realized that she hurt Michael more than necessary with her attitude.
A hidden truth
Zack is a closed book towards Cassy. His family life is veiled. What Cassy doesn't understand, is he has grieved and lost, just as she has, and struggles to hide his sadness with her sibling rivalry.
…. “You’ll one day realize how much he actually cares about you.” He stood, stretching away the stiffness, and then came over to give her a quick caress of his hand upon her head. “Make sure that you show your love before it’s too late. A moment’s time can snatch away anything you want to tell him.” Yawning, he flashed a goodbye wave before ditching to the window. “Goodnight, Cassy. Sleep well!”
Cassy leaned back, savouring the brief touch from him. Her affection had developed into anticipation of when he might arrive to sweep her off her feet again. Though, that night, while she rested her head and looked up to the stucco ceiling, Cassy found herself contemplating his words. The pain in his eyes spoke of something much deeper than just my brothers and I getting along. Is he not telling me something? Nothing reinforced her theories, so she went on to falling into a dream world where nothing dangerous lurked in the darkness.
Cassy leaned back, savouring the brief touch from him. Her affection had developed into anticipation of when he might arrive to sweep her off her feet again. Though, that night, while she rested her head and looked up to the stucco ceiling, Cassy found herself contemplating his words. The pain in his eyes spoke of something much deeper than just my brothers and I getting along. Is he not telling me something? Nothing reinforced her theories, so she went on to falling into a dream world where nothing dangerous lurked in the darkness.
