A conversation about the book between myself and my friend Blythe, who’s been beta reading draft four for me. I hope it gives you a nice idea of the characters and story without giving too much away.

Blythe: The thing i love the most about Roberts and Cass is that they’re PEOPLE

Alex: yeah, ultimately, everyone in this story is human

Blythe: one is a pirate chasing a dream and the other is a TIME WITCH, but they’re people. They’re not out to save the world and both have relatively selfish (if you want to classify it as that) motivations (personal fulfillment/love) so of course the villain isn’t EVIL but is threatening to them. keep reading »

I don’t like cheap villains. I like villains who are complex, sympathetic and relish being evil. I like villains who pay their dues and earn their vengeance. I don’t like bad guys who are blindly, mindlessly bad.

Consequently, I’m writing a villain who is less a villain and more a truly fucked up person. Someone who clings to pain and uses it to give themselves strength, someone who thirsts for power and vengeance. I want someone whose lust and sadness are understandable and relatable. Someone cold and calculating but ultimately, painfully human.

Hopefully I’ll be successful in this endeavor. I don’t want anymore stereotypes.