So I have been tagged in Alex’s post over at the Valourborn blog in regards to an introduction to what you’re working on and one of the characters from it. Interesting concept, like chain mail… but for something I actually care about. Nice! Well Alex, I kindly accept your curiosity and will give you a glimpse into one of the characters from my first completed novel: Jefferson & The Magician’s Curse. As I have mentioned before, sometimes I can float off the beaten path and side characters become more interesting than the protagonist. Such is the case with this character’s back story, as his history could spawn their own novels. My challenge is to not give away too much, but get you interested! 

Q1) What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

Well, the name of the character I’m introducing you to is one Gabriel Li Mercador, otherwise known as Gabriel The Great, Magician Extraordinaire.

Q2) When and where is the story set?

The story is set amid the travelling magicians of a replica of 18th Century Vienna. Along with the travelling circus, these magicians also hold their own secret societies and meetings away from the public eye.

Q3) What should we know about him/her?

Gabriel is an extremely powerful magician. His method of recruiting involves a traditional magic show with one element aimed at recruiting into their order: A single live spell. It’s a risky manoeuvre, but as the forbidden arts begin to rise up, he is forced to take action. This is how he comes to mentor the young Jefferson, my protagonist, and together they begin trying to find others as quickly as possible before it’s too late.

Q4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life? 

The main conflict of the story is the rise of the forbidden magic. Magic in my world has three forms: Illusions (Entertainment Magic, or Tricks), Limited Casting (Casting spells using your own energy and life force) and Forbidden Casting (Casting spells channelling the energy of others for unlimited potential, but linking your soul to theirs even through their death). Gabriel himself has experienced the forbidden casting first hand and has come forth to find the one who will end all life on Earth. He believes this to be Jefferson, until he realises that the boy is seemingly good at heart. He decides to train Jefferson in hopes that when the evil shows itself, he will have a powerful ally. Unfortunately, his life begins to take a turn for the worse when he decides to try his hand at controlling the forbidden magic to essentially fight fire with fire. Will he make it out okay? Only time (and my story) will tell you.

Q5) What is the personal goal of the character?

Gabriel’s goal is to end the line of knowledge that enables the forbidden arts to exist. He believes firmly that if the good magicians can control the new recruits and there is no knowledge of the forbidden arts and how to tap into them, then magic can be used in hospitals and entertainment and for other good purposes. He tries desperately to find the one who will lead the charge for the rise of the forbidden arts and stop them before all life on Earth is extinguished in the name of magic.

Q7) When can we expect the book to be published?

First it must go through the editing process a few times. I wrote some of it while I was half asleep, so those important scenes written under the influence of sleep are also half the quality of the rest of the book! My partner in crime is still working on that, but as we both work full time, it’s hard to get into it and beat it out. I’m hoping on her school holidays (she’s a teacher) she may make some headway. Especially if she wants me to get published and make some money writing!

In the meantime, I have a story called Circle of Vengeance up in the iBook Store and on Lulu.com for free. That story has been edited roughly 20 times (although I did still find a spelling mistake the other day… drats) but is well polished for a short story. Feel free to check that out! (Links are down the right side of the page). 

HMM. Who should be my victims? I mean, lovely people whose stories I would like to know more about. Just answer the above questions in your own post (Unless of course you don’t want to, that’s totally fine!). I’d love to reconnect though and this is as good as an excuse as any!

• Serena – It’s been awhile since I’ve swung by, will you indulge me?
• Lizzee – Hope story life is treating you well, who will you dish up?
• Nikki – Seems you’ve been busy, but what character would you like us to know?

Thanks in advance if you decide to take me up on this, if not good luck with your writing and I hope to see your novel on a shelf near me sometime soon!