Thursday, September 26, 2013

Characters and Necklaces and Galleys, Oh My!




I've received a lot of great questions in response to my "Ask Me Anything" post, so I thought I'd start answering some. 

JustWingingIt asks: Which character has evolved the most from what you initially intended - either taking a more prominent role in the story arc or less of one?

That would be Jamie Knox. Although I hinted at his existence earlier, I didn't actually introduce him until When Maidens Mourn. Before I begin writing a book, I always type up a fairly detailed 15-20 page outline, and the initial plot line for Maidens actually called for Knox to die near the end of that book. But I liked him so much as a character and I could see so much potential for him in future books, that I reworked the plot and kept him alive.

JustWingingIt also asks: Will Sebastian ever discover that his mother's necklace has 'chosen' Hero?

Hero hasn't worn the necklace because the clasp needed fixing (and because I was waiting for the right point in the series' story arc to be able to give it the necessary time and attention). I don't want to give too much away, but I can say the necklace comes back in a big way in Who Buries the Dead and will also play a part in book #11, (which doesn't have a title yet and is at this point only a gleam in my eye).

I've spent much of this past week going over the galleys for Why Kings Confess. I also spent a fair amount of time collecting images for the cover conference being held this week for the first of the new covers they're doing for the earlier books in the series. And then, just when I thought I could get back to writing, the galleys for the mass market paperback edition of What Darkness Brings appeared on my doorstep! 


15 comments:

Charles Gramlich said...

Galleys are pretty cool. I always like seeing 'em, even if it does mean work.

lmhess said...

Okay, my head is spinning again...you need another cinnamon role and I've got to quit reading your blog...well, maybe not the latter. I, too, was curious about the necklace. Such a small detail but so intrigueing...I'm glad it will reappear in the future.

JustWingingIt said...

This is totally random but I've been watching FOX's Sleep Hollow on tv and...what about Tom Mison (Ichabod Crane) as Sebastian? His eye color is wrong (rather hard to find people with amber yellow eyes I should think) and his hair would need to be much darker but he's lean and he has the more elegant, facial bone structure that I picture for our hero. Plus he's British... :)

Anonymous said...

c-well I guess in a way you answered my question about Sebastian's brother - Jamie Knox. I'm glad you kept him alive. I agree he has a lot of potential! Good luck with all your work. We really appreciate it! Oh and speaking of When Maidens Mourn. I was listening just today to Loreena McKennitt's version of the Lady of Shalott. The live version from Toronto & Paris. I don't know if you've ever heard it but its hauntingly beautiful and once you have read WMM - takes on a whole new meaning. Best, Ali

Anonymous said...

OK, I have a couple other questions that have come to mind. One of my favorite characters is Aunt Henrietta. Is she modeled after anyone and will we get to see any more of her in books to come? Is she a fun character to write (as she certainly is a fun character to read). Secondly, will we see more of the evil Amanda and the affidavit and other papers she has squirreled away from the very first book? I'm thinking maybe she was based on some other neighbor you didn't like very much ;-) Sabena

cs harris said...

Charles, I do, too, but two in one week is overkill!

Imhess, yes, I've been wanting another one ever since the last one!

JustWIngingIT, hmm. It's hard to say without actually seeing him moving and talking.

Ali, I haven't heard the live version, but I think I mentioned that it was listening to her version every day while I do my yoga that inspired the book.

Sabena, I guess I can answer both those here. I actually had an Aunt Henrietta, and while she wasn't exactly like Sebastian's, she definitely inspired the character. I should do a post about her; she died a few months before When Gods Die came out, which was the book that first introduced Sebastian's aunt. And yes, we will see more of Amanda and also the affidavit. To be honest, I can't remember who inspired her!

Anonymous said...

c - good to know. I must have missed that comment or its age related dementia and I just forgot! and live version or not I now have a new appreciation for the poem. ali

Anonymous said...

Oh I have one that I always wonder about while reading and then forget to ask. Why do you always say "Charles" in front of Lord Jarvis but never others. Like you don't say "Hendon", Lord St. Cyr or "Sebastian", Viscount Devlin. It's always struck me that Lord Jarvis usually has his first name attached in the front. Is there a particular reason? Sabena

Anonymous said...

Oops. Guess it would be "Alistair", Lord St. Cyr, the Earl of Hendon. Sigh. I have such trouble with all the various titles and versions of the names of the peers. Sabena

paz said...

RE: Jamie Knox...

I keenly remember reading "What remains of Heaven" and finding reference to "a highwayman with yellow eyes." I scrambled back to re-read the early books pouring through them for a reference of Sebastian dressed as a highwayman robbing Dr. McCain (any real life inspiration in that character?).

So I felt quite satisfied when Mr. Knox made his debut. Funny to find out he almost died before we really knew him!

cs harris said...

Sabena, it's the traditional way of referring to a baron--think Alfred, Lord Tennyson. The one I find inexplicable is "Hero Devlin".

Paz, that's funny that you thought it might be Sebastian. My editor was actually uncomfortable with that early, dangling reference, but I told her "They'll remember!"

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