#ThursdayDoors to an October Excerpt

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Thursday, October 16, 2025

Apple orchard autumn pastoral by Teagan via Night Cafe
by Teagan via Night Cafe

Hello, everyone.  Today most of my doors are written, doors made of words.  I invite you to open this door into the simpler world of my fantasy, “Dead of Winter.”  There are many doors in the world I built for this epic story.  Some open to frightening unknowns, others open to wonder.  A door might mean safety.  Or it might be woefully insufficient to keep out danger…

by Teagan via Night Cafe
by Teagan via Night Cafe
I’m sharing a “Dead of Winter” excerpt that is a few pages long. 

Home, the word evokes warmth and safety.  Yet even the door of one’s home can open to betrayal.  Following is an excerpt from “Dead of Winter.”  It happens early in the journeys into which 12-year-old Emlyn is thrown.  The scene opens in a country called the Flowing Lands, where only a few years before, an authoritarian religious group took control.  Emlyn’s family makes a modest living from their apple orchard.  One evening, a knock sounds at the door… 

Now that the scene is set, here’s the excerpt.

girl at door farmhouse apples by Teagan via Night Cafe

The entire family worked hard during second harvest.  It was difficult to keep up with household chores as well as work for the orchard.  It was evening, just before dinnertime.  Emlyn went to her room, where the light was better, to finish the mending.  It was by no means ordinary when a knock sounded on the front door.  She knew her older sister would hurry to answer it, more from an overweening desire for attention than anything else.  Shy, Emlyn continued working in her room.

She heard male voices — her father’s low voice, the surly tones of her sister’s husband Dewydd, and three other voices that were not as familiar.  As Emlyn listened, she tied off the thread where she had mended her father’s shirt and picked up a shift that belonged to her.  The shoulder seam needed repair.  Her needle work slowed as she tried to put names to the voices.

A sick feeling came to her stomach as she remembered the dream that she had early that morning.

“You must be ready.  Winter is coming,” the silvery haired young man had cautioned.

One voice grew louder, and she recognized it as Elder Pwyll’s.

“We’ll have to take the girl with us, Afon,” she heard the cleric say.  “There’s no way around it.  Naturally she’ll be put before the council and tried, before any sentence is met out.  With Un’Naf’s grace, she’ll only be banished.  However, in fairness, I must tell you there is the possibility that they will demand stoning.”

Emlyn gasped.

“Although her tender age would be in her favor, consorting with evil spirits is a serious blasphemy,” Elder Pwyll continued in his oily voice.

Her hand froze with the needle in the air between stitches, and then she began to tremble.  Her father, Afon, mumbled something that she couldn’t make out, to which the elder replied.

“Of course… it does reflect badly on your household.  However, your cooperation, not to mention your continued practice of tithing, serves to mitigate your association with the girl’s evil,” he added in a tone that suggested payment was a requirement.

Girl Emlyn ghosts wolf by Teagan via Night Cafe

“Stoning,” she whispered, tucking the needle inside her half-mended shift and grabbing her packsack.

Emlyn moved quickly, but as if in a daze.  Somehow shock, fear, and betrayal were put aside, at least for the moment.  The only thought for which there was room in her mind was getting away.  She grabbed several items of clothing without really seeing them and hurriedly put them in the bag.

She knew it made no difference if her father didn’t agree with the Brethren of Un’Naf.  Afon would not stand in their way.  He would convince himself that he was doing the only right thing.

For a fleeting moment, Emlyn wondered if maybe it in fact was the right thing.  Perhaps it was right for her father to give her to the Brethren for their so-called “trial.”  Maybe she really was rattle-brained.  Maybe…

Her bedroom door rattled with the motion of the heavy footfalls of several men approaching.

She realized this should come as no surprise to her.  For years, her sister had made remarks in thoughtless attempts to belittle Emlyn and build-up herself.  Or just to be noticed, she might say something to the wrong person about Emlyn hearing or seeing things, and that person would go to the elders.  Her sister wasn’t truly a horrible person.  She simply didn’t think beyond herself.

To the elders, the comments about her being addled would mean that she was touched by the Dark.  Even so, Emlyn could hardly believe it, or that it could happen so soon, so suddenly.

Silently opening the window, she climbed onto the sill.  Where could she go?  They’d surely catch her before she got far.  The only hiding place she could think of was at Osabide’s cottage.  However, she was terrified of bringing danger to her teacher’s doorstep.  They might do something horrible to Osabide if they found Emlyn at her cottage.

Girl climbs out window of house apples by Teagan via Night Cafe

Emlyn was small for her age.  While holding to the windowsill she let herself down quietly.  The moment her feet touched the ground she started to run for the nearest cover.  She’d have to find a place to hide in the woods.  If only she could manage to get that far before they caught sight of her and followed.

As she ran, she heard heavy knocks jar her bedroom door.  Angry voices demanding that she open her door echoed behind Emlyn as she ran.

Emlyn had barely reached the first line of trees in the orchard when she heard her bedroom door crash open and bounce back against the wall.  She ran up the hill, hunched over, in hope that the hedges would block her from view.

Elder Pwyll yelled something about redemption.  She heard her sister’s voice rise shrilly in protest.  Emlyn wondered if her sister would realize the large part she had played in what was happening.

Leaves crunched beneath Emlyn’s shoes as she ran, seeming horribly loud in her ears.  She startled a quail that leapt noisily into the air.  She would have screamed in surprise if she had not been panting for breath.

She started trembling again.  Tears came to her eyes.  Emlyn kept running, but as she passed the second row of trees, she heard an excited shout.

It was Dewydd.  Her brother-in-law had joined the Brethren in their determination to capture her.  Dewydd’s voice sounded eager.  He spotted her.

Thunder cracked sharply.  Lightning must have struck very nearby.  Maybe it would storm and they wouldn’t come for her after all.  With sudden hope in her heart, Emlyn ran even faster.  Then the toe of her shoe caught on a root and she stumbled forward.

A cold hand gripped her arm.  Her eyes widened with shock.  She stifled a scream.

End of excerpt.

Don’t forget all the great books and authors being showcased each day of October at Teri Polen’s Bad Moon Rising.  It isn’t just books.  Most authors are giving away free books. Authors also answer fun questions.  I was there Monday.  Click here for my questions and answers.

This week authors you might know included:

D. L. Finn:  If you watch horror movies, are you the person who yells at the characters, covers your eyes, or falls asleep?

 Thanks for opening this door.  Hugs!

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Naturally, the obligatory shameless self-promotion must be included.

Dead of Winter Omnibus: All the Journeys

The 14 Journeys (novellas) of Dead of Winter in one volume.

Universal Purchase link (e-book only):  relinks.me/B0FP9XL46J

Audiobook:  relinks.me/B0FPB2L9WV

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This post is part of Dan Antion‘s Thursday Doors challenge. Click the blue link for more information about the challenge.

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Illustrations in this post created by Teagan Geneviene via Night Cafe.

No part of this work may be reproduced, scanned, or distributed in any printed or electronic form without permission.  Please do not participate in or encourage piracy of copyrighted materials in violation of the author’s rights.

All images are either the property of the author, or used with permission, or from free sources.

Copyright © 2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

All rights reserved.

69 thoughts on “#ThursdayDoors to an October Excerpt”

  1. Pingback: #TuesdayBookBlog The Long Farewell by Bob Van Laerhoven – Just Olga

    1. You are so kind, Brenda — thank you. This happens a ways into the story. There are some freaky/scary moments before this snippet, and a bit of drama to show the culture of that country. However, the story moves forward to several other lands from here. I appreciate you reading and commenting. Hugs.

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  8. Pingback: Roberta Writes – Reblog: The Soldier and the Radium Girl Part 1: The Bloom of Youth, Chapter 1: Enlist in haste, repent at leisure (cont.)” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle

    1. Hi, Liz. You’re close regarding my inspiration for Emlyn’s homeland. I wanted to quietly “suggest” to the reader something similar to Calvinism (although the world is completely fantasy and nothing to do with our world) — and the Puritans were English Protestants who were also Calvinists.
      Throughout the series, in similar ways I used “suggestions” to the reader about the various countries the travelers go through. This prompted the reader to automatically fill-in many details of the settings and cultures without me bogging down the manuscript in weedy details. Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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  14. Great excerpt! I remember reading that. I only got to read 4, I believe. Everything I read was fabulous.

    I’m not to Teri’s everyday, but have caught several of the BMR Q&A’s. It is a very cool annual event.

    I shouldn’t even be here now. Norm is in emergency waiting, and I’m ready to roll when he calls. He told me NOT to come, it was filled with really sick people, but I’m going nuts here, waiting to go get him!

    HUGS!

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  16. Teagan, I always think of doors as “portals,” whether they lead to an unfamilar new-to-me room, or another dimension or universe entirely. It was nice to open this door here, and those images definitely enhance the story!

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    1. Hi, Bruce. Oh, I agree about doors being portals. There must be something almost universal in people getting that, at least on a subconscious level. Think of the old Twilight Zone opening — there was a strange door like a portal. Doors, even if wardrobe doors, have led to fantastic realms like Narnia. Any number of fantasy shows and books have doors that open to a different place or world. I wonder how far back in human history that goes… Maybe the ancient Egyptians had something about their gods and a door. Wait a minute… I think that actually showed up in my research for Hullaba Lulu, but I don’t remember what it was now. LOL. I’m glad you opened this door. Hugs.

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  18. So beautiful! I loved the excerpt, and the images.. and then the idea of doors, the way you magically combined them all, lovely! It feels like having stepped into a wonderful realm for a bit, thank you! Oh… and while reading, I realized why I like the name Emlyn so much. It reminds me of Evelyn, a girl’s name that I loved when kid, when I and my sister used to pick names from movies and books, for our dolls, princesses, ballerinas… the many sets, big and small that we used to have and play with. 😊

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    1. Hi, Nicole. Ah! So, you are a fellow “collector of names.” (Someone once called me that for my fascination with names and how I love to find the meanings of each name.) It’s lovely to imagine you and your sister choosing names for your dolls. Actually, one of my works in progress is a nonfiction resource book of names. I work on it to relax.
      Thanks for opening this door. Hugs.

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      1. I really am indeed! Also fascinated by etymology, names and words in general, boring others with the same old question… “I wonder what the origin of this name/ word is”🙄
        A wonderful project, a resource book of names, lovely! I have a small dictionary of first names that I’ve used ever since University, mostly before this internet era, but still very dear to me, it has a lovely cover. Leaving here a photo, hope it is ok, not too big. It feels too lovely a cover and topic, not to share 😊 Happy I opened this door!

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        1. Nicole, I’m delighted that you added this photo. I enjoy seeing a well-loved book too.

          Over the years I’ve created several hundred named-characters for my stories. For the vast majority of them I research the name and its origin and/or meaning is relevant to the story (at least for me). Granted, the meanings I find might sometimes be different the next time I try to look them up… For example, Emlyn was a Welsh name that meant “around the valley” (at least that’s what I found in 2010). I chose it because I wanted her to be an ordinary girl (except for her ability to see ghosts), and because I had an aunt of whom I was fond, named Emma. Thanks for this discussion. ❤

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          1. That is impressive, so many… must be all beautiful! I’ve always loved the name Emma… feels so elegant, strong but also gentle.

            I did that kind of name research when writing a few poems for a series of mine on my bilingual blog, called Cradle of Stars. It started with Aurora and Zeph in 2017… and then Dafnee and Wess, Iasmin and Quin, Selena and Glen, Evee and Uri. 😀 I enjoyed that a lot, I remember, also adding the meaning of the names in the posts, both in Romanian and English.

            Now I already feel inspired to resume that, wow… It was left aside 3 years ago already, time I wrote a 6th poem in the series, I think. Maybe these autumn-winter days here I’ll start looking for the names 😊

            Thank you too, Teagan! 💖

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    1. Noelle, you are far too kind. You are so talented — I’m humbled. And the images — sometimes I think they’re just pure stubbornness on my part, trying again and again until I get something that’s at least close to what I want. I was very happy with the girl climbing out the window (though it took a lot of work and tries) and with the landscape of the orchard. That’s very much how I always imagined their apple orchard. LOL, although the apples are fantastically abundant. Hugs.

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  20. Great post, I agree. I remember Emlyn’s embarking on her journey, because he had to escape. A great excerpt and the beginning of quite a journey, for the characters and the readers, which I can’t recommend enough.

    Big hugs, Teagan, and love to the Scoobies!

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  21. This is a wonderful post for the challenge, Teagan. Doors have so many meanings, and the image that sticks in my mind from this is Emlyn hiding in the woods and hearing her bedroom door crash open. Your descriptions are (always) so vivid and they invoke strong emotions. I remember being pulled into Dead of Winter by the opening scenes, and the pull never grew weaker.

    I hope you have a great day and weekend ahead.

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    1. Thanks very much, Dan. I remember I that with this section, I was partly giving myself an exercise in building tension and in foreshadowing. The door rattling in its frame before eventually bursting open. Anyhow this is a wonderful compliment, and I really appreciate it. Hugs.

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