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CHARACTER THOUGHTS

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When coming up with ideas for a main character, I honestly struggled with deciding on how to approach them. I didn't want to go the route of the MC being super powerful and all knowing, but I also didn't want them to be some bumbling idiot that couldn't survive on their own. Striking that balance was pretty tough for me, but I think Carmen falls comfortably in the middle.

With Carmen, I wanted her to start at a base level and grow throughout the story, learning about the world of Alaira and it's intricacies while also honing her skills. Even though she's lived in Volaire all her life, the outside world was still fairly foreign to her and so when she discovered things, it's almost as though we're discovering it alongside her. I found that to be quite interesting as I crafted this story.

Also, having to write a story with a young teenager as the focal point was a satisfying challenge. To keep things somewhat believable, Carmen needed a youthful level of naivety to her. Her audacious and "rush head first" personality are definite byproducts of that decision. As the story and trilogy proceeds further, she matures and grows just like anyone else at her age. It's honestly like watching my own kid grow up right before my eyes!

Thanks for reading!