Joseph

I think anybody who ever feels crazy enough to write a novel will realize about half the way through the process that a handful of the characters have their own plans and ideas.

In the early drafts of The Face Value Blues, Joseph, also known as Dreamer, had little to say, and he did even less. I originally had Artanis and his friends take their sweet time getting to New Orleans. In fact, I had Aresphon capture them and transport them by train to Washington DC at one point. In those versions of the story, Joseph was just one of the gangsters in the background who got collared along with Artanis and Damaris.

Then I decided that Artanis needed a rival for Damaris' attention and affection, and I first chose Joseph to serve in that capacity. I tried to write some scenes that showed him having the edge over Artanis early in the novel, and there are traces of this in the forest after they escape Aresphon and the two lawmen: notice Damaris warming up to Joseph when she discovers commonalities in their backgrounds, and Artanis' jealous reaction.

The more I played around with the idea though -- and when you start writing, your characters are on your mind all day every day -- the less it felt "right."

"This ain't really working, boss," Joseph said to me, pushing his hat back and blowing smoke through his nose.

"Yeah. Joseph is more than half good-looking and a decent fella and all, but something about this doesn't ring true," Damaris added.

"You two are right," I told them. "Joseph, I didn't plan on you doing much at all when I started this, but you're growing on me. I want you to feature more prominently, and I still feel the need to pair you up with somebody. But who? Do I need to make up another gal for you to step out with?"

"Nah, fella. Think about it some more, but don't force the issue or anythin', and the right way'll show itself to you," the little goblin said with a smile that managed to be both smug and shy as he turned to go.

Damaris winked at me as she walked off with him. That girl can say a lot without using words: she inspired me to work hard at figuring Mr. Joseph out.

And I did. Well, to that extent that we ever figure someone else out. There's a movie I love that Everyone of Quality should love with an excellent line about such things: "Nobody knows nobody -- not that well." I don't know all there is to know about any character in my book, but I figured out enough about Joseph (among other things, his Chinese zodiac sign is the Ox, just like his author) to pair him up with "that guitar player" once Artanis and company reached New Orleans.

But I left in the idea of another character having feelings for Damaris. Astute readers will have determined who it was, but I won't reveal the character here for the sake of those who are reading this blog in parallel to -- or before -- reading the year's most electrifying fantasy novel.

As always, thanks for stopping by.