Work on the first book of Games of Fire is going well. It, like the Rise of the Fifth Order trilogy, is set in the fantasy world of Myrrah.
The world of Myrrah
Games of Fire will be the fourth series I’ve written, though only the third published. I try to forget my first attempt at writing, which is so error riddled that there is no hope of salvaging even a short story from the beast. I’ve learned a lot since then and my writing techniques have changed a lot and, also, surprisingly stayed very consistent.
At the core, I know the major events in a novel before I ever start writing. In that way, I am a plotter. But I don’t know what happens between events or in every chapter. Sometimes I figure that out in advance and write notes in my WIP to remind me where things are heading as I begin the next section. Sometimes I don’t know until I’m writing it. There are times I am very much a pantser!
What has been the same across all four series is that I need to know the background and the characters well enough that I don’t get bogged down world building in the middle of a chapter. And I really need to know the motivations behind why a story is taking place, sort of like writing with the synopsis in mind at all times.
Last week I found myself bogging down on Spark of Defiance, book 1 of Games of Fire. I know the events that will happen in the novel and the characters and world (because most of them were around in the Rise of the Fifth Order!), but I was missing a bit of background that made the why the story took place, and where it was heading, possible. I ended up writing down a list of questions that were bothering me and, oddly, it wasn’t even half an hour later my mind started spitting out the answers, leaving me so gosh darn excited to get back to writing. 🙂 Now, at least, I know where the story is heading and a much better idea of where things end in the first book.
And one of the first things I did was reorganize the beginning. As I mentioned in my post on subplots, I didn’t think the development of the story was clear in you picked up Spark of Defiance without having read the Rise of the Fifth Order trilogy. And I don’t want a reader to have to have read that series first! It is one thing to pick up a novel labeled book 2 or 3 and be a little lost. It isn’t fair to pick up one labeled book 1 and find out that there is a previous series full of information that you simply need to keep reading. Ugh. I’ve been in that situation and put down books that were probably awesome, but I didn’t feel like having to catch up before I even got started.
I don’t want to make that same mistake, or at least want to minimize it as much as possible. And so I’ve spent a lot of time reminding myself that these characters I’m soooo familiar with are only just being introduced to a reader in this book. It changes my perspective as I write (and edit!). And while looking at those characters with fresh eyes, I realized I’ve never created a comprehensive character list for the Rise of the Fifth Order!
Character lists with condensed information are a fun introduction, and serve as a reminder when needed, to a novel. I know I’ve read a few lists and suddenly wanted to read a story whose blurb didn’t catch my interest. Of course, you can find a lot more information about the world of Myrrah in the Born of Water Novel Companion. But if you are reading the series or just curious who haunts its land, here, at long last, is a character list for you – at least the beginning of one. These are three long books with lots of characters, many of which appear more than once. So I may need to keep working on the list. But it is a start!
Niri (Nirine) – A Water Elemental born on the island of Tiero in the Archipeligo of Bellaia. Her abilities were discovered by the Church of Four Orders when she was nine, which is when she was taken to the Temple of Solaire to be trained as a Water Priestess.
Ria (Ariadne) – Born outside of Mirocyne, a small city along the north shore of the Sea of Sarketh to parents who own a vineyard and orange/almond orchard. Her family is afraid of the Church of Four Orders for the number of family members taken, and subsequently disappear, by Priests and Priestesses. Ria harbors the gift of magic, an ability forbidden by the Church.
Lavinia – Ria’s best friend since childhood. Lavinia was born to a sailing family in Mirocyne, one of modest standing. She has no elemental gifts by birth and is preparing to leave on her two year apprenticeship, which is traditional among the Northern Sarkethian families.
Ty (Tylee) – Lavinia’s older brother. He is in the final year of his apprenticeship on a large merchant vessel, or at least he is supposed to be. He’s long admired Ria, nearly as much as he tries to protect his sister.
Darag – Born in the forests of Lus na Sithchaine, Darag is a Kith, an isolated race whose skin resembles bark and whose soul is bound to a tree at birth. This kinship with the forest grants long life, as long as the life of their tree, to the Kith, but also tends to keep them hidden in the forest. Unlike most Kith, Darag is restless… and very powerful. All Kith are born with power similar to Earth Elementals.
Beite
Beite – Darag’s younger sister.
Laireag – A friend of Darag and Beite.
Cuileann – A friend of Darag and Beite.
Laith Lus – Kith Elder
Shai Bannan – Second Kith Elder
Zhao – Air Elemental born in Xiazhing and so Tiak. Tiak rules regarding Elementals are strict. They protected gifted children by hiding them from the Church while also confining them to an austere life where they cannot marry and live apart from every day society.
Yihn – Zhao’s sister
Gagee – Yihn’s husband and a friend of Zhao’s
Kalail/ Khodan – Born on the Island of Kailal during the war of the Orders, Khodan was captured by the newly formed/forming Church of Four Orders. They used his strong gift of magic against him, changing him into a creature that would hunt, and kill, those with magic.
Tam – Captain of the Water Fox.
Jistin – Ty’s friend. He lives in Sardinia, a dangerous and exotic port, helping his father with a merchant shop. Jistin is mute though he never has a problem getting his message across.
Finneous – Jistin’s father.
Minna – An old woman strong in magic. She lives in Akhetta, the ruins of an old school for Elementals inland from the Archipelago. There she trains others who escape the Church and come to her for help.
Elantha (the Moon’s Light) – an Elemental like few others, she practices her brand of magic within the archipelagic city of Peurtoroyal, hiding within sight of the Church in a city known as Solaire’s mirror.
Lyrick – An Air Elemental at the Temple in the Clouds. He helps teach Zhao and Ria.
Rameth – An Earth Elemental (Son of Stone) born in Akypf, a city along the dark Coast of Storms. He helps Ria and Zhao reach Vykipf located in the Mountains of Night.
Minerva – An Air Elemental (Daughter of Storms), who lives in Ryvndark. She also helps Ria and Zhao reach Vykipf along with Rameth.
The Church of Four Orders – is the ruling force in the world of Myrrah. Based in the Temple of Solaire located on the island of Erowok, it is headed by a High Council comprised of twelve of the most powerful Elementals. All Elemental’s that the Church discovers, usually at blessing ceremonies throughout the year, are taken from their families to be trained and to serve the Church.
High Priest Sinika – Fire Elemental born along the Archipeligo of Bellaia. He is not the most powerful Elemental on the High Council, but maybe the most clever. He took an interest in Niri and helped train her.
High Priestess Timpada – Fire Elemental born along the Archipeligo of Bellaia and one of Sinika’s greatest adversaries on the council. She is slightly older than Sinika and more powerful.
High Priestess Ci’erra – a Fire Elemental and a Valain, which is a rare combination. There are few Valian in Myrrah as it is a difficult land and a race that cherishes bravery, and proof of bravery, more than a long life. Elementals are rare to the Valain, and strong Elementals like Ci’erra are even more extraordinary. Ci’erra was a protege of Timpada’s.
High Priest Rhinnault – Born in Finndale along the southern shore of the Sea of Sarketh and the only Air Elemental on the High Council.
High Priest Greneth – Bellaian as most of the High Council are and one of two Water Elementals on the council.
High Priest Nuvahl – Valain and a Water Elemental. He is old, the oldest member of the High Council, his powers are waning. His greatest pride is to see Ci’erra, another Valain, on the council at the same time he holds a seat.
High Priestess Kheten – Earth Elemental and a Nifail born to the tribes of the Steppes of Umbrel
High Priest Pronius – Earth Elemental and Bellaian, he was born in a city near Sinika and are of the same age. They tend to support each other in the High Council.
High Priestess Nahrhia – Fire Elemental born along the Southern Shore
High Priestess Oveehn – Fire Elemental who is Northern Sarkethian by birth
High Priest Dohnovan – Fire Elemental and Bellaian
High Priest Sah’Tef – Fire Elemental from the Southern Shore
Felya – an Air Priestess sent by Timpada to help rescue Sinika
Misshal – a novice Water Priest sent along with Timpada to rescue Sinika
Dahal – an Erowok servant sworn to obey Timpada. He doest her bidding and lives within the Temple of Solaire, using his magic for the Church mostly as a healer
