The author commentary for The Final Gauntlet continues! Old friends return to close out their stories and I’ll be talking about the whys behind it all, so SPOILER WARNING is in effect!
The truth behind the book
That’s what these author commentaries have always been about for me: giving insight into the writing process, explaining the connections that occurred during the drafting, and why changes were necessary in the editing phase. I think it is incredibly important to pass along the trials and tribulations of the job. Not so much for sympathy points, though I’m not adverse to milking some every so often, but more so the casual reader understands that writing is not a straightforward path.
There are constant decisions to be made. Constant questions to be answered.
The Final Gauntlet was no exception.
When I sat down to outline this book, the end of the trilogy, I almost immediately ran into problems. I had my three goals, as discussed previously, but beyond that what did I have?
Nothing. Not a clue. Not a whit or iota of a subplot.
The story was all about Soriya and the Daughters of Salem. Yes, Annabelle brought some tension and a bit of mystery to the piece. However, for the most part, there was only the big fight.
I needed more meat in the mix. I needed something for readers to glom onto to keep them engaged in the larger story at work.
The return of some old friends came out of this need. Suddenly, I went from a ten chapter fight to an actual book, with character development and exposition and plot build up to a natural climax.
Old Friends
Urg was a natural fit for what I was thinking when I started outlining. He came quick to the forefront with what I thought was important to impart before the series finished.
Eddie was someone I never thought we would see again. I really thought Hammer and Anvil closed out his story. Yet, when I dug into the case for bringing him back I quickly came to see the potential of his character. There was more to tell, the next step of his evolution as it were, as he tries to accept the mistakes of his past with the choices of his future.
Neither one would work, though, if there wasn’t some connection to Soriya to bring back around. Again, this is her story. It always should be centered around her to some extent. While Urg and Eddie both go through something profound during the crazy night in Portents, the most important part of their presence in the book is to reflect on how they see Soriya. On how Soriya changed their lives by being there.
Once I had that hook to their storylines, I knew they fit. That it wasn’t just a need to fill pages, but an honest to God truth that needed to be shared before the close of the series.
Mentor
Mentor was always going to be involved. The true impetus of the book, the reason for its being was the use of the hide-and-seek game in the beginning. Soriya’s final test to become the Greystone.
It was meant to be fun and exciting for them both, so of course it goes completely awry. But Mentor’s presence will always affect Soriya and the series in general. His role as teacher and guardian will never disappear, not completely, so I thought it was important to bring it around full circle from Hammer and Anvil.
In the opening book, Soriya is dismissed from the role. At the end of The Final Gauntlet, Mentor passes over the stone to her and with it the mantle of Greystone.
The importance of filling out the world with old friends
Yes, there is a lesson to be learned in my meandering. This outline, this very book, would not have come together if it weren’t for the supporting characters already present in the series. Sure, some new faces might filled a role or two, but they would not have brought that sense of history or connection that Urg and Eddie did.
It would have felt hollow in comparison.
By stretching out the canvass, by playing with all the toys in the toybox and learning who they are at their core, it was a much more interesting experience bringing Urg, Eddie, and even Mentor back into the series to bounce off Soriya. To push her character more. To build her up, tear her down, and really understand the virtue of her spirit.
Supporting characters matter.
People question my desire to change POV’s and dig into more than just the main character’s arcs. This is why.
They strengthen the narrative and the hero’s at the forefront of the tale. But only if you give them the time to do so.
Next time:
How Beth’s return changed the book.
Thanks for reading.
