Sunday, September 30, 2012

Character Relationships #1: Shade and Marlu

I've managed to read through my manuscript once and made some notes. There we a few minor edits that were fixed as well, so that's another obstacle that's been taken care of.

I've also found a publishing house that I've taken a fancy to, Okatara. This would be a Christian publishing company that focuses on trying to market to people who shop on the web, but aren't really looking for a Christian book in particular. In other words, it's a ministry of sorts. One that I hope to be involved in soon. There are some other ones that have published books that I like, such as The Door Within. This book takes an abstract mind to understand, but it's good either way and teaches biblical morals.

I was considering giving a snippet of my story here, but I still feel that it needs some more commentary by friends and family before being posted. But I'll be glad to discuss some of my character's relationships.

Today I will be talking about Shade and Marlu. These two are both villain and hero in their own eyes. Now let me explain that. These two are sisters that grew up as princesses of Virgultis, the country of Aquila. Their past is something that I have not set in stone, but I see potential for a good story in their dispute. Shade always believed that people should have a say in everything and everyone should get along. So she has a democratic view. Marlu believes that the government, or in the case the ruler, should have more power. You can see that conflict arises from this. The source of this is the undeniable fact of their country's slow decline. Both see different ways to change that. Both also feel they have to do what's necessary for the country and the people.

There came a time, when they were fairly close to adulthood, that the current ruler was not satisfying the country. Both sisters noticed that. This is where the rift between the two appears. A person(s) decided that they wanted to overthrow the ruler and managed to get Marlu on his(their) side. Marlu was always one who'd rather act violently then discuss matters. With this, Shade disapproves and fights for her father. He dies and she is banished, much to Marlu's regret.

Marlu becomes ruler of Virgultis and attempts to make conditions in the country better, but soon sees that she has to gain land back that had once been part of the country centuries ago. An unseen force, Sarlin, took advantage of her nature and began to poison her mind with a lust for power. In years to come her rule became stricter and stricter.

Meanwhile, Shade had grown to resent the rule of her sister, but still loved her. Both never really did hate each other. Soon Shade found herself, with her skills in calming disputes, a part of a rebellion that would overthrow Marlu. Until a nonspecific point in time none of them knew that she was the previous princess. When she did reveal herself, the high council of the rebels began to plan something big. They would interfere with Marlu's plans and gain her trust through Shade and then she would kill the tyrant. Shade was reluctant, but she would do anything to end her people's suffering.

Skipping the events that happen within the time frame of the manuscript, Shade and Marlu conflict for one last time before Shade shot her with an arrow. But book 2 is certain to show that Shade is not ready to rule, nor happy with the death of her sister.

Hope you enjoyed!



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