Okkyntalah:
This is the 12th in a series on characters and places featured
in Joinings: A Seared Sky. This background
information isn’t covered in the book but will enhance the reading experience. For
some of my people there are character drawings, supplied by Alice Taylor or
myself, maybe a video interview, and accompanying script. I’ll do short pieces
of fiction, deepening knowledge of certain minor characters as well.
For the places, I use sections of the map to indicate location or a
sketch to illustrate the place, along with a description of the place, as I see
it, and, where appropriate, links with characters. Sometimes, I indicate the
way of life there with a short anecdote or story.
I don’t reveal any of the main story, either as already published or as
written in the series, simply enhance readers’ enjoyment of the trilogy by
providing more information. I hope this gives pleasure to those who’ve bought
the book and, perhaps, persuades others to take that step.
Pronunciation hints:
Okkyntalah –
ock-in-tar-lah
Tumalind – tum-a-lind
Names are pronounced
phonetically. But this is my take on them; how I hear them in my head. You may
pronounce them as you wish, of course; reading is, after all, active rather
than passive.
An interview between the author
and Okkyntalah, one of 3 male heroes in the tale:
A young man who grows
through the story, but starts off as innocent and naïve, though intelligent, Okkyntalah
is a buck looking forward to joining with his beloved Tumalind. A hunter by trade,
and definitely an outdoorsman, he is well built, handsome, confident and brave.
SA: Good
day to you, Okkyntalah. I’m going to ask you a few questions.
Okkyntalah: Ask
away.
SA: You’re
a good-looking young man. Do you have any trouble with women?
Okkyntalah: Thanks,
but I don’t know what you mean. I’m a virgin buck. Waiting for the joining
ceremony so I can become one with my betrothed, Tumalind.
SA: Yes.
But, in the meantime…well, a young man has certain needs?
Okkyntalah: Oh,
that sort of thing. I’m a Follower. You know what happens if we break the
rules. I’m not risking violent punishment for a bit of fun. Anyway, I love
Tumalind and she knows how to deal with those urges.
SA: Tumalind’s
very beautiful and much admired on the island. How did a young hunter like you
manage to catch her?
Okkyntalah: We’ve
known each other all our lives. Fell in love cycles ago. Tumalind loves me; I
didn’t have to ‘catch’ her. We have fun together. Want to be together, want to raise
a family. What else is there, after all?
SA: If
I told you there are plans for you that involve adventure?
Okkyntalah: Adventure?
Sounds interesting, and fun. No one’s going to get hurt are they?
SA: As
to that, I’m not able to tell you. But you may be placed at risk.
Okkyntalah: Risk?
I hunt every day. If you’d ever hunted a terzet horn on your own with a spear
and arrows, you’d know what risk means.
SA: How
about travel to other lands?
Okkyntalah: As
long as I have Tumalind, I’ll go wherever I’m needed. Just don’t let her be in
danger. I won’t stand for that.
SA: Sometimes
a character must do things he doesn’t like, you know.
Okkyntalah: What
are you not telling me? I won’t have my Tumalind put at risk. I won’t! I’m
having none of your adventures if she’s in any danger. Understand?
SA: Well,
Okkyntalah, it’s been interesting talking to you. We’ll just have to see what
happens, won’t we?
Okkyntalah: Hey!
You can’t just go and leave me like that! I want to know….
SA: Fun
being the director, making your creations jump through the hoops. Not sure
Okkyntalah would agree, though.
I wonder if it’s that sense of power over others
that makes most leaders into absolute bastards?
Buying links for Joinings; A Seared Sky -
Paperback, from Fantastic Books Publishing Store
Ebook or paperback from your local Amazon store.
Paperback, post free anywhere in the world, from Book Depository
Ebook via Ask David
No comments:
Post a Comment