In Loving Memory of Brian

Heart of Ice

Today I cut a character in Heart of Ice I've been holding onto for a long time. Brian, an ex-first guard and butler at the Sisters' Chateau. It's hard cutting characters, especially when you feel they were written well. So, here's a way to remember Brian. 

In Loving Memory

Brian, first guard and servant of the late Protector Perin, died March 24, 2022, at his home in the Sisters' Chateau in the Western Kingdoms. 

He will forever be remembered for his dedication to his late liege. His loyalty and faithfulness extended to the family of his beloved liege who he continued serving for many years. He could often be seen limping down the halls in the early morning making sure everything was perfect and pristine before anyone else got up. His voice was ruff and snappish, but he never said an unkind word. 

Brian died surrounded by close friends and colleagues to his fight for relevancy. He was loved and will be missed. 

I will miss Brian and it took a lot of internal debate to let him go. I came up with all sorts of excuses like, he's essential for building other characters or he helps with the world building. In the end, I decided that my characters and world were strong enough without him. However I will always know that he's a part of the chateau staff and now you do too. 

Designing Survival

For the book I'm currently writing, I got to write a scene today that I was  looking forward to getting to. I love it when I get to write about the dragon gatherings that take place in Guardious and Maldia. Today there was quite a spicy one that took place which I found delightful to write. 

Designing Survival (super working title) takes place in a Maldia where human sentience is just starting to be accepted. Because of that, a lot of the traditions that have been established in Heart of Ice are just being created in this book. This includes the gatherings which made this one even more fun to write. 

Have you ever had to cut a character from a book? How did it go? What are some good fantasy books with exciting councils and gatherings? 

Thank you for reading my blog. Keep dreaming and daydreaming about all your beautiful worlds.