Characters - Shaken, Not Stirred

Mario, a friend of mine the other day told me that the one problem with my beloved lifelong friends of characters in An Involuntary King is that they were my beloved lifelong friends of characters. He said he would like to see what I did with a whole new slate, as I have with some of the stories on Ghostletters, such a Leona, my ex-Seattle cop who can morph into an African lioness and her various adventures with trickster gods and were-underworld criminals.

I thought about this. I talked to my mystery writing instructor and a classmate. I consulted my own druthers, which always win out in the end. I decided I was gonna do it. So out the window go the clones of my old characters, Shannon and Rory poorly disguised, and Leofric, Rhys, Ystradwell and the others only slightly more so.

I am happy to announce the birth of a new hero and trusted friend duo, dynamic or not. I need to read up on Cornish family naming practices, but for now let's meet Krrick, a traveling musician just as Shannon was, but with a decidedly less quirky and devil-may-care personality. This time the friend, who nevertheless still has a sunlit smile, is Aki Elricsson, not exactly Lenny to his George, since Aki is really quite bright, just remarkably quiet.

I am actually relieved to have come to this decision. I was actually rather looking forward to adding to my supply of imaginary friends.

The group gathered around the long rough-hewn table in the tavern.

"Phew!" exclaimed Aedan. "I wasn't even in the first novel until the epilogue, but I was already exhausted thinking of being in a whole series!'

Leofric nodded and drank from his ale bowl at the same time. "You're telling me. And I wasn't too crazy about the demotion either."

Ystradwell gave them all a wistful look and sighed, "I thought it was going to be nice, so romantic, and getting to be the center of attention again..."

Shannon patted her lightly on the shoulder. "Don't worry. You would be the center of attention in any novel."

The tavern keeper put her hands on her ample hips and smiled. "I get to stay in the book. I'll miss you all."

Aedan reassured, "But think of it, you get to meet Aki and Kerrick!"

THE END

Soemone tell me you are in awe of my courage...