Hi!

So this blog post came as inspiration after talking to my buddies Qwillia Rain and Chris Marie Green. Mondays on the Offerings Loop can be a recap of the latest Once Upon a Time episode. I recently posted a spoiler about an upcoming episode which sparked a conversation about Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold and Regina. With my friend Chris it was about whether or not Regina had become so one dimensional that she’d become predictable, which led me to think back to Heroes. Okay, stick with me. The main villain of Heroes was Sylar, to the point were it became frustrating because we were subjected to him ad nauseum, which to me really underutilized Zachery Quinto‘s performance.

I first responded to Chris’ question of whether Regina had become predictable with a yes. The proof, she’s so desperate to keep power that she’s repeating past mistakes, even going so far as using the same Poison Apple with Emma that she used on Snow White. The only change is that this time Henry, her adopted son, was the victim. The question here is: will this horrible mistake finally break through to her that she’s become her mother, who was also obsessed with power, and change her ways? I’m a little iffy on it. We know that Regina loves Henry but will his accident have the same affect that Daniels’ death did, which sparked off her obsessesion with power and magic, and make her worse?

It’s hard to tell, I suppose you could say third times the charge.

But then this opens the door to the question of who would become the new big bad be if Regina comes over to the side of good? Which leads to the Sylar debacle. If they have Regina go even deeper down the road to evil she would then be repeating the same issues that were sparked when Sylar contined to be the threat they they thought he needed to be for Heroes.To the point that he usurped the other big bads.

As we know in comic books and such, the hero(es) need more than one villain to test them. Superman didn’t just battle Lex Luthor or Brainiac all the time, nor did Batman always take on The Joker, The Fantastic Four didn’t always get it on with Dr. Doom and Spiderman didn’t always fight The Green Goblin.

In my opinion we need another new villain, which leads to an idea that was sparked by talking to Qwillia: What if Baelfire, Rumpelstiltskin/Mr. Gold’s wayward son came home and wasn’t the same person we were introduced to? What if being in the World Without Magic had taken a sweet, well intentioned child and turned him into an evil, greedy, angry person, bitter and filled with hatred for his father? What if the new villain was Regina’s mother? Her need for power and her flagrant use of magic is well known, but we don’t know what’s happened to her. And as we know no one can leave Storybook without consequences.

Then there are the other villains we’ve only gotten glimpses of, one of which I’d be excited to see (since Disney is making a movie about her) Maleficent. I would love to see what they do to her and since we have yet to meet Sleepy Beauty (one of my favorite Disney movies) I’d love to see what twist they give that story.

There are so many ways they could go but I do hope that Regina doesn’t remain the main villain. I hope they really surprise us and give us someone new to love/hate.

So, what do you think? Can Regina change her stripes and come over to the side of good (even struggle with her new role)? Would Baelfire make an excellent foil for Emma and company? Will the writers make the Heroes mistake? Who would you like to see take on the main villain role?

Se

Also, I’ll be at a fabulous Cinco de Mayo part at the TRS Party site.

Want to know more about the party goers? Check out this Cinco de Mayo Chat Reader’s Guide to find out more about the fabulous authors that are taking part in this wonderful party.

Hope to see you there!

Se

I had a sort of light bulb moment while watching Top Gear. The guest had said that he approaches making each of his films like it was his first. That got me thinking about my writing. So I decided that today I would challenge myself: I would approach writing my current story as if it’s the first time. As if it’s not apart of a series, as if I don’t know these characters and this town that they live in. And I’ll see what happens.

Authors if you want to take up this challenge please let me know how it goes.

Se

Anyway, My first visceral experience of an author killing off a character, something that really shook me was J.K. Rowling *Spoiler Alert* Killing off Sirius. It was shocking, emotionally jarring and something that shook me to the core. I was right there with Harry when Sirius died. I still get a bit teary when I think about it.

Death in a story should progress the plot, it shouldn’t be just something for shock and awe. Another series that comes to mind that involves a lot of death is Game of Thrones. Each death progresses the story, pushes the characters and creates some new and sometimes odd dynamics. Death in a sense is a character itself, haunting each character whether it will come about due to political machinations or a battle or a situation of something they shouldn’t have seen you’re reminded that someone could die. No one is safe in that world even if we’d like to think that our personal favorites are.

I’ve read stories where the deaths of characters fits into the story perfectly. It doesn’t necessarily drive it but reminds of the setting the characters are in and just how wrong things can go if someone isn’t careful or things really hit the fan. One story that comes to mind was a Book Club pick for the Offerings group, The UnTied Kingdom by Kate Johnson, what happened fit in perfectly and was very well written. Another case for the death of a character is to really set the story off. The series that comes to mind is JR Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. In the first book, within the first few pages boom there it was. Both shocking and yet it sets the tone for the war between the Brotherhood and the Lessers. And another death that I thought of that was both necessary and emotionally sad was from the Vampire Babylon series by Chris Marie Green.

I’ve been thinking about death and characters and my own work both old and new. Don’t worry your favorite characters are safe…for now. But it’s still on my mind. I really admire authors willing to really go there. Killing off a character can really explode in your face if done wrong. So the question to authors is: How do you decide to kill off a character? What makes you decide to go that route?

And Readers here’s a few questions for you: How do you feel when a character is killed off? Does it make you not want to read the rest of the book? Not support the author? Do respect the author for making the decision they did?

To both Authors and Readers: What makes a death stand out? When it comes to villains do you feel that their death should be slow and painful or quick and creative? Are there any stories that stand out in your mind that involve the death of a character?

A bit of a warning: As Game of Thrones is really popular right now and in Season 2, which would set it in the second book, please avoid spoiling the other deaths for readers who are watching the show and don’t know. If you must discuss the death put Spoiler Alert in the comment before you discuss the death.

Hope You Enjoy.

Se

The next thing I’m obsessing over is Once Upon a Time. Watching it not only makes me what to write a fairy tale redo or two  (I already have ideas for them) but also it’s just so darn fun to speculate as to what will happen next. I love trying to figure out what Mr. Gold/Rumpelstiltskin  is up to. The character development of the series is so good, you think you know what the person is about and then the writers go and surprise you. It’s wonderful and wicked at the same time. So what mysteries are you waiting to be unraveled? What characters are you loving? Or loving to hate? What do you think will happen next?

As to books, I just saw that Iced by Karen Marie Moning is up for pre-order. So excited! The cover looks awesome! As to reading material, I’m really loving reading mysteries. The Book Club pick for this month is: Storm Front by Jim Butcher and I’m loving the story so far.

So what books are you reading? What music is going around in your head? What TV show is your new fav? I’m loving GCB, it’s hilarious.

Se

Just a bit of an update on my writing. I have at least 5 commitments to Etopia Press and at least three books aimed at Loose-Id along with finishing up Isadora’s story for the Draven’s Crossing. As to my other series such as Tartan Werewolves or Hades Helmet Crew they’re on the backburner until I can give them the time they deserve. I have several ideas on where to take the Tartan Werewolves including a possible spin off series. I also have ideas for the Hades Helmet Crew series. So, for now I’m focusing on other series first and giving them attention and then will turn my attention back to my other obligations.

My release schedule with Etopia Press is as follows:

June- Seven Sins Inn- Pietro & Callisto

August- Dragon New Year- Dragon Ugly

September – Bachelor Auction- Mate Not Wanted

November- Christmas Story

December- Dragon New Year- Fletch’s Story

January- Ringed City Tales- The Hunt

If there are any changes and updates I’ll let you know.

Se

Hope you enjoyed that. What’s your Music Monday Pick?

Se