Category: Character Spotlights
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Humble, unassuming characters are the BEST!
Some of my favorite characters are the humble, unassuming ones–who do what’s needed, without caring about whether it’s recognized, because it’s needed and it’s the right thing to do. They tend to be sidekicks or minor characters. Helpers. Supporters. They don’t mind sharing, or even giving up, the spotlight after it falls on them here…
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Character Spotlight: Gratton Welder
I had a lot of fun writing Gratton: one of the king’s most trusted guardsmen. Gratton is originally from Partsvale up north. He has older brothers, most of whom also joined the army before him. Gratton had just become a soldier before Zalski Forzythe executed his coup against the royal family before The Crimson League:…
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My Only Villain Without Magic
The Magic Council: The Fight for Home has my only villain who doesn’t have magic. I’m talking about Carson Amison, the Duke of Yangerton. He’s a bit older than the king, and he does not want Vane coming to the royal court. So, how much of a threat could he actually be to Vane and…
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Character Spotlight: Francie the Fearless
Francie Rafe is a really fun character–and pretty complex, I think. She had a rough childhood and carries a lot of guilt, not all of it necessarily her own. Francie grew up in the northern village of Fontferry and was Vane‘s best friend in childhood, before his Aunt Teena took him to Herezoth’s capital city…
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The difference a good woman makes (August vs Malzin)
I wrote yesterday about my villain Zalksi Forzythe and one of my favorite heroes, his nephew Vane Unsten. I went a bit into the ways they are similar. One of my favorite things about them is that they are incredible figures in and of themselves, for good or ill. They are principled. They have goals,…
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Is Vane a lot like Zalski?
I’ve been thinking a bit lately about Vane and Zalski. Vane is the protagonist of The Magic Council, and I just adore him. He’s not perfect, but he’s a hero at the end of the day–because he’s selfless. He strives to live up to the example of worthy role models, has a deep sense of…
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Character Spotlight: Ursa Hincken, villain and bear owner
Ursa is definitely my favorite villain in The Magic Council. She’s also the most unique. Arbora Anders is basically a foil of Kora–the opposite of Kora, an “anti-Kora,” if you will–weak where Kora is resolute, unbending where Kora is resilient. Darryn Polve is a foil of Zacry Porteg. He’s awful. Where Zac is hard-working, deep-thinking,…
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The stories we tell ourselves
I recently wrote character spotlights of King Rexson’s three sons: Valkin, Neslan, and Hune. Before The Magic Council: The Fight for Home starts, the princes are kidnapped by a group interested in the politics of magic and in advancing magic’s cause politically. While they are held captive in Ursa Hincken’s basement, Ursa’s sister August tells…
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Character Spotlight: Prince Hune the Misfit
I absolutely adore Prince Hune. He’s named after his uncle and grandfather. The youngest boy in the royal family, he gives life in the palace its heart. He is eight years old when The Magic Council starts. Hune has an active imagination and loves animals, especially his pet dogs and pony. He’s the only child…
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Character Spotlight: Prince Neslan, the Middle Child
Prince Neslan is the middle of the king and queen’s three sons, a year younger than Prince Valkin. He is independent, more intellectual than active in his hobbies, and wise beyond his years. He was named after Neslan Dormenor of the Crimson League, and while he looks nothing like that Neslan–the prince has father’s blond…
Creative Writing with the Crimson League 