Becky Huneke

Not to sound like other authors, but I first met my characters in a dream. It wasn’t a big dream, there was really nothing special about it. It was just about a boy who was forced to choose between the girl he loved and the life he was born to live. I wrote the details down, and then proceeded to think about it for the next five years.

The boy became Talan, a lost prince raised on a farm. The girl who he loved became Wren. And Finn (originally Wren’s brother who dies fighting Talan!) became Talan’s best friend, and in my opinion, the heart of the story. There were no monsters, no magic, just found family and big decisions.

I later decided that Talan was betrayed, not just lost. I grew bored with having Talan fight bandits and soldiers, and decided that there should be magic and monsters to fight! At some point I decided that every boy needs a best friend to fight the monsters with, so Finn got to live. And then, suddenly, I realized that it wasn’t just a thought in my head anymore. No longer just a daydream. I had a story, full of characters that were so full of life and personality, I had to write it down. And as I wrote those characters evolved even more. Each character became more alive, and more important to the story. Harlan’s patient words and kindness, Mara’s unconditional love and strict rules. Oliver’s over the top friendliness. And of course, Roth’s hate-fueled rage.

In writing this story I only have one goal. I want others to meet my characters, and hopefully love them as much as I do.