The Sparrow's Nest

N'Nar is Vijeren's oldest brother, but he almost wasn't. He started out as a villain who turned good, but there wasn't a plausible reason for it, and I had no idea where he came from. There was something wrong and when he finally became Vijeren's brother, he fell into place. N'Nar's physical appearance also changed drastically, because N'Nar's race is Sirilith. The Sirilith race used to have no legs at all. They were built like merpeople, but instead of a mermaid tail, it was a snake tail. They were bald, earless and had some serious snake eyes. The word Sirilith wasn't even Sirilith. I called them plain old Snakemen. Snakemen existed for a really long time, and then one day I said, "I don't like this. It screws with my muse." Besides, when I saw N'Nar in my head, I saw him as he is today. So why the crap was I describing him like a snake that sprouted arms? So I revamped the entire race and gave them a new name, legs, ...

In the first of all first drafts of "Pariahs," Vijeren didn't have any brothers. Sibare existed as his perfect, gentle, patient cousin. Vijeren hated his guts. Sibare was also a lot duller-looking. So dull in fact, that I saw him as a blurry image. After writing him for almost 1000 pages, by hand in about 5 notebooks, and then typing it all out on a computer, and going through SEVERAL drafts, I decided that I hated him too. So I did a full character redesign until he was reckless and bold, tough as nails, braver than a retsinist and possessed a wicked sense of humor. His features did a full 180 and for the first time, I was able to see his face. Thank goodness the agents kept rejecting the manuscript, or you would have had a piece of Cubon to suffer through forEVER. Drawing by Nicomelia Benally Order "Pariahs"  here on Amazon

The main character Vijeren came about in a convoluted way. Some say it's a heartfelt way. I guess so. He's based off of one kid I used to substitute for a long time ago in a galaxy far, far away. He wasn't popular, got picked on, and he had a hard time learning, but he was the best kid. I saw him as a little light, hence Vijeren's powers. Vijeren went through a million changes until he became what he is today: an adventurous little nut full of mischief. Writing a lively character was extremely fun. I usually like side characters best, so when I made Vijeren, I made him like a side character, and then I made him the main character. He bounced off of Miranel perfectly. Miranel is the little girl he has to watch over and help gain a soul. She's cheesy, she's embarrassing, and she has freakish articulation. It took me thirteen years to write "Pariahs" and Miranel is the only character in the cast that was the same from beginning to end. D...