Welcome to the latest stop on the It Takes All Kinds of Characters blog tour.
In the previous episode, urban fantasy and science fiction author Scott Moon talked about his smooth operating, gunslinging, ex-soldier Kin Roland of Moon's Enemy of Man and Son of Orlan books. Kin is a tough-minded fighter, who goes to great, and sometimes dangerous, lengths to protect the ones he cares for.
Scott invited me to take part in the Tour and I was happy to join in!
The character I decided to talk about today is the main protagonist from my upcoming Second Star series, Lt. John McNeal.
Enjoy!
1. Describe how you came up with the idea for your character:
John grew out of my need for a character whose name is “John”. He was originally an astronaut, then a space fighter pilot, and then eventually a futuristic jet-fighter pilot. I needed a character that could lead my other characters against their enemies and connect to the source material. (I don’t want to give too much of the secret away)
He is calm and collected and has no time for bullshit, but at the same time has a healthy sense of humor which helps him cope with the conflict around him.
2. When and where is the setting of their story?
The story is set in the not so distant future, say the 2060s or 70s. The “where” is secret, but it is basically an alien world that John is pulled into by accident. This planet has been ravaged by a war much different than the wars of John’s home, Earth and fortunately for us (not so much for John) he has been thrown right in the middle of it.
3. Tell what things you want people to know about them.
John is intelligent and determined. He is a patriot, but also a realist. In his time wars are fought at the whims of the corporations that fund the military. John’s strength comes from having a desire to serve, but he wants to serve for the right reasons and in his time, and on his world, it is impossible for him to do that. His weakness is speaking his mind, even at times that it isn’t appropriate to do so. His time in the service has also disillusioned him and the idea of service to a higher good no longer means what it use to.
He is extremely reluctant to get involved with their conflict, it's not his fight after all and all he wants to do is go home. But as he spends more time among them and see what they struggle to live through, he becomes more and more certain of what he must do.
4.Their main conflict, and how they develop from dealing with it.
The broad strokes of the story are that the group of people John finds himself with a small band of freedom fighters, fighting against an oppressive government. With John’s unexpected arrival they begin to see hope and if they can convince him to help them, maybe they can bring an end to many long years of fighting.
5.Title of your work.
The story is called Second Star: Breaking Through and is the first book in a planned series of five novellas. Right now the book is with my editor and I should have it back by the end of the week. I’m hoping for a late October release.
I invited Kory M. Shrum to follow me on the tour, be sure you check out her post next week!
In the previous episode, urban fantasy and science fiction author Scott Moon talked about his smooth operating, gunslinging, ex-soldier Kin Roland of Moon's Enemy of Man and Son of Orlan books. Kin is a tough-minded fighter, who goes to great, and sometimes dangerous, lengths to protect the ones he cares for.
Scott invited me to take part in the Tour and I was happy to join in!
The character I decided to talk about today is the main protagonist from my upcoming Second Star series, Lt. John McNeal.
Enjoy!
1. Describe how you came up with the idea for your character:
John grew out of my need for a character whose name is “John”. He was originally an astronaut, then a space fighter pilot, and then eventually a futuristic jet-fighter pilot. I needed a character that could lead my other characters against their enemies and connect to the source material. (I don’t want to give too much of the secret away)
He is calm and collected and has no time for bullshit, but at the same time has a healthy sense of humor which helps him cope with the conflict around him.
2. When and where is the setting of their story?
The story is set in the not so distant future, say the 2060s or 70s. The “where” is secret, but it is basically an alien world that John is pulled into by accident. This planet has been ravaged by a war much different than the wars of John’s home, Earth and fortunately for us (not so much for John) he has been thrown right in the middle of it.
3. Tell what things you want people to know about them.
John is intelligent and determined. He is a patriot, but also a realist. In his time wars are fought at the whims of the corporations that fund the military. John’s strength comes from having a desire to serve, but he wants to serve for the right reasons and in his time, and on his world, it is impossible for him to do that. His weakness is speaking his mind, even at times that it isn’t appropriate to do so. His time in the service has also disillusioned him and the idea of service to a higher good no longer means what it use to.
He is extremely reluctant to get involved with their conflict, it's not his fight after all and all he wants to do is go home. But as he spends more time among them and see what they struggle to live through, he becomes more and more certain of what he must do.
4.Their main conflict, and how they develop from dealing with it.
The broad strokes of the story are that the group of people John finds himself with a small band of freedom fighters, fighting against an oppressive government. With John’s unexpected arrival they begin to see hope and if they can convince him to help them, maybe they can bring an end to many long years of fighting.
5.Title of your work.
The story is called Second Star: Breaking Through and is the first book in a planned series of five novellas. Right now the book is with my editor and I should have it back by the end of the week. I’m hoping for a late October release.
I invited Kory M. Shrum to follow me on the tour, be sure you check out her post next week!
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