Keeping Score: Ups and Downs

Posted on by D. D. Wolf

One Character Down

In the evolution of the next book in the first Lodge of the Wolf arc, I’ve decided that I may enjoy character creation a little too much. One constructive criticism from Orchids Ablaze was too many characters were running around. There actually was logic and research behind the number of characters I used, but I may have used the wrong yardstick. I found many instances in comics, movies, anime, etc. where a team consisted of five characters (ah, memories of Voltron). Even in prose, teams tend to be four to six characters. The full Lodge of the Wolf roster of characters I have at least partial write-ups on is double that. If I dared count all the character sketches from various villain groups, independents, and (heaven forbid), the Chalice Bureau, that number would quadruple at the very least.

So, one minor character intended for the sequel has now fallen below the cut-line. Her name is Psykout and she is easily recognizable as the “gadget girl” and tech savant for the Lodge. Originally intended to highlight changes to the Tuarsahzi Embassy and the Lodge HQ, she didn’t really advance the story or help continuity. So she won’t be making her debut in the next book. She’s not forgotten, she just hasn’t told me her full story yet.

One (Future) Feature Up

However – you knew there was one coming, right? – you may very well meet her before you again thrill to Blackhowl and company’s adventures! As much as I love creating characters, I may love creating background material more. A few Aurora City maps are already available with several more buried in various binders and digital files waiting to be unearthed. So… I’m going to investigate creating a new feature for the site that let’s her shine: Psykout’s Secrets.

Most likely a sub-category under Lore of the Jagged Earth, Psykout’s Secrets will let her show off her encyclopedic knowledge. It will take some time away from novel writing, but I think it will be worth it in the long run (and fun too, but don’t tell anyone). Best of all, it involves a new character AND background material!

DDW

Written by D. D. Wolf

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I'm on my 5th or 6th career depending on how you count them, but ideally this one will be my last with the kind help of our readers. I've traveled to several states across the U.S., but the Appalachian Mountains of Tennessee and North Carolina will always be where I'm most comfortable. I've been an avid reader of comics for more years than I'm going to mention, but I return time after time to the old pulps. Obviously the Doc Savage books have been a tremendous influence. There's just something about seeing and hearing those characters in your mind's eye, just the way YOU, as the reader, think they should be.. I've been writing poems, lyrics and stories of varying quality since I was in my teens, which means most of my archives are on paper in three-ring binders! I've been creating characters in various RPG systems for at least that long. I've always thought characters made the story: good characters can live on through story after story. It wasn't until the last 6 or 7 years that I felt I could write characters well enough to be engaging. You'll have to let me know how I'm doing.

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