Day thirty-four. The end is in sight. Striking Balance: The Peculiar Making of Beatrice Benjamin Sophia Scott Schnell Gow is now available for purchase. To celebrate its release and the fact that it is my tenth novel, I have created a one-of-a-kind companion mixed-media art book, the Striking Balance Mixed Media Journey, but creating the book has become been more a personal challenge than anything. That said, I’m sharing the mixed media pages with you because the art created such a direct tie with the author’s, meaning my mind that it can’t help but enrich the reading experience.
Below you’ll find three-four opportunities to interact with the novel. First, you’ll see the chapter number and its corresponding epigraph. Second, you’ll find images including the book open to the chapter page, a digitally enhanced version of the same spread, and 1-2 detail pieces that may or may not be digitally enhanced. Lastly, you’ll see a link to the corresponding song from the Striking Balance playlist on YouTube and get to read First Lines, one or two sentences from the beginning of the chapter.
Today, we’re delving into Chapter Thirty-Four.


Chapter Thirty-Four: Peel Away



From the Striking Balance playlist – Chapter Thirty-Four Selection
Shawn James – Curse of the Fold
First Lines
“’Tis too early in the year to be so wet all day,” gripes Davy but ‘tis more commentary than complaint. Pyre has offered to dry him, but he has refused and rests contentedly within Rayne’s robes while we wait for Lexy’s arrival. “And I wish we had something to eat.”
Make certain to come back tomorrow for Chapter Thirty-Five where… family. Okay? Family. Even dark Appalachian fae need their family. when times are tough. (sips coffee and smiles)