Chillin'

I feel like I've gotten far too serious on this blog recently, like I can no longer laugh at myself or have to go into deep philosophical things on every post. Seems counterintuitive because I'm so not like that.

Perhaps, it's because I've been too harried to do much of my own writing. I mean, I've fleshed out some characters for books I haven't written yet, funny eclectic characters that will make the books more entertaining (as opposed to my relatively serious main characters). I often like caricature characters that turn out to have real depths and NOT be what one expects.

Characters that are humorous or off-kilter in some way, with strengths and personalities that reveal them for the real people they really are. And catch a reader off guard. Like Lucky, a character in the sequel to my completed Sword and Sorcery novel. Lucky is the maimed old guy who's fought in every war, mated with every woman of note, and looks like he's been chewed on by a troll and spit out because he tasted unsavory. And probably was. He has only a subset of remaining limbs - and none of those are complete - one eye, no teeth, and he completely defies pity. He doesn't beg or accept charity. He doesn't need it. He has a devoted companion who'd fight through hell for him, largely because Lucky managed to save him with his fighting skill. He makes a good living though no one is exactly sure how (Lucky claims to be a male prostitute, and no one wants to believe him, but he's very popular with the Jenri). He knows everything, though he's unlikely to be forthcoming with the information. And he has his own inimitable charm. I can't wait to write him.

Then, there's Lucifer Lush (I'm going to have my daughter help with naming from now on; this name was perfect), a flamboyant homosexual with all the exuberance and energy of Richard Simmons but a better fashion sense. He's also a true blue friend to a very introverted and insecure woman getting out of an unhealthy relationship, a woman who happens to be key to bringing the world of technology and the world of magic back in sync. That he helps her heal and looks out for her well-being, along with bringing a string of vivid characters tromping through her life, just makes him more appealing. That one of those characters is Lucy's rigid ex-career army father just makes things interesting.

Of course, I have to finish revisions to another finished novel (and resist delving into the sequel to that one!). But, still, I'm so looking forward to playing with my new characters.