Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Vidya Sury

August 6, 2013August 5, 2013 / WriterlySam / 32 Comments

Welcome to the TREE OF LIFE: Branching Out collaborative writing challenge, where creative minds meet epic movie music. To read the collective story in its entirety as it unfolds and for more details on this groundbreaking collaboration with Audiomachine click HERE.

Today’s featured guest writer is the passionate coffee lover Vidya Sury. You’ll often find her going a-musing, collecting smiles and inspiring happiness in all those around her.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Hope and Glory – Tree of Life

________________________________

Adam and Zoe mounted the dragon and soared into the unknown. The unicorn followed close, watchful, wary, not fully trusting yet. Where would the dragon take them?

Suddenly, a blinding circle of light jolted them out of their reverie. Adam and Zoe watched, mesmerized, as the dragon flapped its wings once, then twice and stopped. The brilliance faded to a gentle glow, to reveal a path of gold. Angels sang as a heavenly fragrance invaded their senses, taking their breath away. As if in a trance, Adam and Zoe alighted.

Zoe curiously reached down to touch the path strewn with a shower of petals – cosmos, dahlias, myrtles and violets. Unbidden, the memory of the day she met Adam filled her mind. She marveled at how the Tree of Life had bound them together. Her spirits lifted and she threw her arms up in joy. Smiling, Adam drew her close and brushed his lips with hers. “I am proud of you” he murmured. They gazed at each other, love shining in their eyes. A powerful emotion gripped them. Love gave way to anticipation and holding hands, they set off down the path, with nary an inkling of their destiny, yet full of infinite hope.

Little did they know that they had crossed heaven’s threshold. The unicorn smiled sagely, pleased, for it knew what awaited them. Glory. And an important mission. The strength of a woman had triumphed over temptation.

________________________________

ATTENTION FANS: You can WIN an autographed TREE OF LIFE Audiomachine album by LEAVING COMMENTS! On August 17th, two lucky readers will be chosen at random from the comments section of the story excerpts. The more you comment–the better your chances are of winning a piece of cinematic history! We want to hear from YOU!

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Elise Fallson

August 5, 2013August 4, 2013 / WriterlySam / 21 Comments

Today’s featured guest writer is Elise Fallson, which is french for fabulous photographer and fantastically funny!

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Equinox – Tree of Life

________________________________

Zoe reached out, but hesitation gripped her soul. Something felt wrong.

“Go on,” tempted the serpent, darkness dripping from its forked tongue.

“Don’t listen my love, it speaks only lies,” Adam said, as he and the unicorn rounded the tree to join her. But their words fell into obscurity as Zoe’s mind recalled the day she met Adam, when the power of life burst through her fingertips for the first time. She remembered the thin man, the old woman, the fire-haired child, and the Tree of Life. That day she had been given a gift and this she had not forsaken.

Instead of the fruit, she took the serpent.

It wrangled in her grasp, hissing in protest but Zoe was stronger. Her fingertips ignited with the power and brilliance of a newborn star, and drove the darkness from the reptile’s heart. The serpent pulled away in a sphere of light that expanded ten fold until a dragon emerged in its place. The animal towered over them, completely covered in scintillating jade-colored armored scales that sent reflected light in every direction. Golden-colored spines sprung from the back of its head to the tip of its tail and glorious wings unfurled across the land.

Looking down at Zoe the dragon said, “Thank you. You broke the curse and brought harmony and equilibrium back to my heart. The Elders chose you well. Climb on, both of you. I have something to show you.”

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Leighton Williams

August 4, 2013August 4, 2013 / WriterlySam / 17 Comments

Today’s featured guest, Leighton Williams, is no stranger to epic writing, with a passion for film scores that lead to the creation of Trailer Music Vibe and an E.P.I.C novel rooted in music.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine -Apotheosis – Tree of Life

________________________________

Zoe now focused on the unique tree in front of them. Its roots were not only spread deep but also spanned countless miles on end, as evidenced by the ruptured earth that passed between her and Adam’s feet.

“My goodness, have you ever beheld something that possessed this much grandeur?” were the words of an awestruck Adam.

“It truly is magnificent.”

“I’m going to do a bit more of exploring. If you need anything, I’ll just be over the hill down in the meadow.” He turned to leave.

Esoteric one.

“Who – ?” Zoe looked down at her arm, only to discover that the serpent had disappeared.

Yes, who? was the reply of a voice, whose location she could not yet discern–until she noticed the shimmering scaly reflection of several coils tightly wrapped around the lower boughs of the tree and the head of which looked on with eerie approval.

Take of the fruit my dear Zoe, for once you do you will achieve a state that you had once thought to be unattainable.

“Which is what?”

The serpent smiled coyly.

Apotheo-sissss…

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Sarah Wesson

August 3, 2013August 2, 2013 / WriterlySam / 16 Comments

Today’s featured guest writer is the witty, word wielding librarian, Sarah Wesson. Visit Sarah at Earful of Cider, where the caffeine gnomes demand tribute!

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Age of Innocence – Tree of Life

________________________________

The distant mountain grumbled again, and Zoe felt the vibrations. “What’s happening?” she asked, pressing a hand to her stomach.

Adam laughed. “We’re hungry, my love.” He sprang to his feet and helped her to hers. “Come on.”

Hand in hand, they walked in beauty under the dawn streaked sky, uncaring that they were naked.

They came to a place where tangles of wild grapevines wound around heavy-laden berry bushes. They ate until their lips were stained red from sweet fruits and their breath was savory from vegetables pulled from the rich earth.

Deeper they wandered into the garden, and deeper, until the ground rose and they found themselves on a path leading to two white rocks.

The Unicorn landed before them, its horn catching the sun and flashing with sudden fire–but they were unafraid. Adam’s voice and Zoe’s touch gentled their friend and its horn cooled as it bowed its head and withdrew.

A shining coil lifted its head from a boulder, the slitted eyes brimming with broken pride and aching sorrow.

Zoe’s heart broke open, and she reached out. It wound itself around her arm and seemed to take comfort from the scent of her skin on its flicking tongue.

Adam drew her to him and they passed between the rocks.

A tree of familiar and wondrous beauty stood before them, a single, glowing fruit hanging from the lowest of its branches.

The serpent hid its head in the crook of Zoe’s arm.

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Lisa Shambrook

August 2, 2013August 1, 2013 / WriterlySam / 17 Comments

Today’s featured guest writer is the poetic soul, Lisa Shambrook. Discover those silly dreams that keep us alive at The Last Krystallos.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Day One – Tree of Life

________________________________

As the storm finally subsided…and light, melodious rain fell, Zoe rested replete in Adam’s arms. Crepuscular rays bathed their searing, salty skin and Zoe’s soft smile lingered. Waves rippled and scintillating diamonds glittered on the ocean surface.

A drip, from the leaves above, sizzled as it touched her skin and Adam’s finger trailed the bead of water down to her breast, where he let it settle. Zoe raised her hand and stroked his thigh, their eyes meeting in calm satiety and love. Zoe’s hand smoothed across her belly and down into the sand.

“So, this is life…” Zoe sighed.

Adam nodded, “Giving and creating…” A wide grin spread across his freckled face as he lifted a daisy from behind her ear. “We’re intrinsic now…to this earth, to this life…to the dance of this planet.”

They laughed as an exultant neigh interrupted their moment, and they beheld their unicorn galloping across the endless stretch of sand and sea, daisies blooming beneath his hooves and waves crashing in his chaotic wake.

Laughter lit up the sky and Adam pulled Zoe’s lips to his. As they parted, a breeze danced across their bodies and they shivered in unison. Adam’s words resounded across the wide expanse as they embraced. “We are one.”

Across the ocean, on the far horizon, a mountain grumbled beneath simmering clouds.

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Angela Brown

August 1, 2013August 1, 2013 / WriterlySam / 36 Comments

Today’s featured guest author, Angela Brown, weaves the magical and mysterious into her tales. For more of Angela’s speculative spirit, join her Pursuit of Publishness.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Leaving the Nest – Tree of Life

________________________________

A thunderclap jolted the trio awake, hearts racing from surprise. Dark clouds brooded impatiently, closing in on their nest in the sky. Emitting high pitched squawks in protest, the eagles took flight, leaping free, followed closely by the unicorn.

Tempest winds whistled in their ears and worried their wings, stripping feathers by the handful as they spiraled down. Bones shifted and stretched. Their bodies elongated into human form.

The moment Zoe and Adam lost all flight, their feet sank into wet grains of sand. Their bodies sizzled from the transition, skin stung by rainfall.

“Over there!” Adam pointed to a cluster of low hanging palm leaves. Grasping each other’s hands, they ran the few yards to shelter, falling to their knees beneath the canopy.

“Where are we?” Zoe rubbed her hands over her bare arms.

“Where we are meant to be. Together.” Adam traced his thumb along her jawline and leaned forward.

Zoe closed her eyes, tingling inside from the spark he sealed in her when they first met.

Adam breathed out. Zoe breathed him in.

In a tangle of arms and legs, wet hair splayed upon the sand, man knew woman.

And the thunder rolled.

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Gwen Gardner

July 31, 2013 / WriterlySam / 33 Comments

Today’s featured guest is the humorous and clever creator of paranormal mysteries, Gwen Gardner, YA Fiction Author!

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Hallowed Dawn – Tree of Life

________________________________

As the dove spread his wings wide to encompass the horse, they transformed into one. Thus, a wondrous creature was born on the wings of a silvery-grey dove. For the horse, rewarded for its pure love and faith, became the sacred unicorn.

Unicorn shed his thick hooves for lighter travel through the heavens. Zoe and Adam, not to waste the God-given resource, weaved the shavings with their beaks into a spiral and placed it on Unicorn’s forehead as a symbol of unity between animal and mankind.

The three soared playfully through the skies. Updrafts carried them high into the atmosphere. Downdrafts sent them plunging back through. They rode the currents of life, up and over and around and through, until tired, they rested in the silver-lined cradle of a cumulus cloud, rocked gently by the hand of God.

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Mina Lobo

July 30, 2013July 30, 2013 / WriterlySam / 25 Comments

Today’s featured guest writer is the dark and whimsical temptress, Mina Lobo. Discover the sensuous side of imagination at Some Dark Romantic.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – An Unfinished Life – Tree of Life

________________________________

And after this moment? Zoe thought. The core of me remains, so I believe I must go on, but where? To what purpose?

Zoe sensed that her new form would not last. She flew in rapid circles, uncertainty and fear roiling within. An urgent need for action gripped her. Right or wrong, her spirit compelled her to go.

She swooped and brushed a wing against Adam’s cheek. When his hand reached for her, Zoe soared away into the darkening skies.

* * *

Adam watched the eagle until it was barely a speck. He’d known Zoe must leave, so why this overwhelming sadness? Why did his soul groan in protest? For Zoe, he had all the answers, but for himself? None.

“You’re still here?” asked the wizened woman. At his bewildered look, she said, “An Adam needs his Eve, you know.”

At that, Adam sprinted and leapt into the air. His change instantaneous, a second eagle bolted after the first.

The horse whinnied a question.

“Yes, you can go too.” The elder swept her gnarled hand, transforming him into a silvery-grey dove. He hovered, gave an experimental swirl, then followed his master to parts yet unknown.

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Michelle Wallace

July 29, 2013 / WriterlySam / 22 Comments

Today’s featured guest is the skilled stringer of words, Michelle Wallace. Visit Michelle over at Writer in Transit, where the journey never ends!

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine -Life Chronicles – Tree of Life

________________________________

She felt the power of the gift as the ongoing conflict raged within. It was both wondrous and terrifying at the same time, as it boosted her spirit and sapped every ounce of strength from her body.

“Who are you?” Zoe enquired of this sage, whose countenance told a tale of ageless wisdom.

“I am nobody and I am everybody. I am you and you are me. We have met before, at some place, at some point in time, and yet this is our first conscious encounter.”

“I don’t understand.”

“All life vibrates in a never-ending dance within every atom of our being, which leads to our continuously changing nature.”

She struggled to comprehend, to hold on, yet knew that she had to relinquish the familiar and go where this wondrous change would lead her.

Adam smiled knowingly. “You cannot escape that which has been preordained. From the moment of your birth, through every step of your life’s journey, everything has been leading up to this moment.”

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon

Tree of Life: Branching Out Featuring Beverly Fox

July 28, 2013July 27, 2013 / WriterlySam / 12 Comments

Today’s featured guest is the truly talented writer, Beverly Fox. For more musings from someone on the edge of greatness, visit The Beveled Edge.

* Listen to the inspiring track from Audiomachine’s Tree of Life album featured in the sidebar music player

Inspiring Soundtrack: Audiomachine – Ashes to Ashes – Tree of Life

________________________________

Below her Zoe could feel the earth move and as she watched it with her new eyes she saw what she could only now begin to understand. Everything, every being, every element would play a part in the rebirth of this world.

As she soared overhead she witnessed the next piece of the cycle. The child floated forward, carried by its tiny wings, its head alight with the fire it carried. Even as it moved towards the old tree she could see the fire grow and feel the heat beneath her. It placed a hand on the cracking wood and the tree burst into flame, the fire burning high into the sky.

As she floated on the updraft she felt her heart swell. The ashes of the old tree would feed the dirt and allow the new tree to grow. All death would lead to rebirth. By sacrificing her body the tree would swell with life and even as she thought it, she watched it happen.

The field began to explode with green, spreading like lighting from the base of the tree. Each ember fed the ground with life and as the ashes spread, the world erupted. She soared above it all and heard Adam’s words echo through her mind: another transition had begun.

________________________________

TREE OF LIFE is available NOW! Click on the following links:

Purchase a CD from CD Baby
Download it from iTunes
Stream it on Spotify Download it from Amazon Purchase a CD from Amazon