10 Crucial Elements In Writing Prowling the Darkness
(May contain mild spoilers!)
Here are ten elements that I consider to be critical in telling the story found within Prowling the Darkness. There is no particular order beyond the first listed, and I hope this helps illustrate the approach I took to creating this novella!
- Rayden Valkyrie
Being the main character- Rayden Valkyrie is the most important element as she drives the narrative and action of Prowling the Darkness. Her experiences in Blood of a Queen have motivated her to find out what is really happening in Sereth-Naga, which leads to the adventure depicted in this novella.
- Sharir-Mord
An ancient race of beings, the Sharir-Mord are the shadowy rulers of Sereth-Naga. Though powerful, and delving into dark sorcery, they are themselves prisoners in a way. The mystery involving this imprisonment and their role as a primary antagonist serve the purposes of Prowling the Darkness very well, providing additional layers to the tale.
- Sereth-Naga
The city ruled by the Sharir-Mord is a key part of the setting for the events in Prowling the Darkness. A sizeable human population living in a remote area has become subservient to the city’s enigmatic rulers. The fear of the people evident within Rayden’s interactions help to build the brooding atmosphere of this novella.
- Mirinebas
A serpent god, served by the Sharir-Mord, who dwells within the Abyss, Mirinebas is the focus for the blood sacrifices taking place in Sereth-Naga. Mirinebas helps the story define the nature of the dark sorcery that the Sharir-Mord is engaged in, and provides a way as to how they empower their magic (Mirinebas empowering the magic after receiving the power from the blood sacrifices offered).
- Chamber of the Moon
The Chamber of the Moon is the location for the most prominent blood sacrifices conducted by the Sharir-Mord. An impressive and exotic underground chamber, located within the Sharir-Mord’s subterranean labyrinth beneath Sereth-Naga, the Chamber of the Moon is an ideal location for a climactic scene in Prowling the Darkness.
- Nouri and Jada-Ur
The highest human authorities in Sereth-Naga, who are carrying out the will of the Sharir-Mord, these characters serve the narrative in putting a human aspect and face on the administration of the city. The characters serve a role in portraying human collaboration with true evil.
- Sarvee
A young woman who is a long-suffering servant in the main citadel at Sereth Naga, Sarvee becomes an important supporting character, who has a significant part to play in the plot. She also serves as a contrast to Nouri and Jada-Ur, in that she does not embrace the evil of the Sharir-Mord and aids the protagonist.
- Cerdevans
A mysterious race of beings that rove the lands around Sereth-Naga, the Cerdevans serve a very important part of the story in providing mystery and tension. They are a pivotal part of the plot in the principle conflict between Rayden Valkyrie and the Sharir-Mord.
- Desert Setting
The remote desert setting establishes a harsh atmosphere from the beginning of Prowling the Darkness. The stark nature of the landscape helps to reinforce the challenge Rayden faces in simply surviving the events of Prowling the Darkness. The desert setting also helps to represent the state of the human spirit in that region; something far from thriving.
- Legren-Mar
Legren-Mar puts a more personal face on the Sharir-Mord and helps to drive home their cold, wicked nature in his actions during Prowling the Darkness. While not a major character, Legren-Mar is a valuable element in the narrative.
Take a journey east with Rayden Valkyrie as she undertakes one of her most harrowing adventures yet! Prowling the Darkness is the latest release in the Rayden Valkyrie Tales!
A return to hard-hitting, gritty sword and sorcery with an iconic and inspiring main character, the Rayden Valkyrie Tales are a growing collection of stand-alone novellas that will elate fans of the genre!
The Prowling the Darkness Blog Tour features reviews, interviews, guest posts, video, and top ten lists!
About the author: Stephen Zimmer is an award-winning author and filmmaker based out of Lexington Kentucky. His works include the Rayden Valkyrie novels (Sword and Sorcery), the Rising Dawn Saga (Cross Genre), the Fires in Eden Series (Epic Fantasy), the Hellscapes short story collections (Horror), the Chronicles of Ave short story collections (Fantasy), the Harvey and Solomon Tales (Steampunk), and the forthcoming Faraway Saga (YA Dystopian/Cross-Genre).
Stephen’s visual work includes the feature film Shadows Light, shorts films such as The Sirens and Swordbearer, and the forthcoming Rayden Valkyrie: Saga of a Lionheart TV Pilot.
Stephen is a proud Kentucky Colonel who also enjoys the realms of music, martial arts, good bourbons, and spending time with family.
Book Synopsis for Prowling the Darkness: Dark rumors and whisperings of unholy sorcery bring Rayden Valkyrie to the remote city of Sereth-Naga.
There she finds a populace cowering in fear of the city’s ruthless, mysterious rulers, who remain behind the high walls of their citadel.
An even greater mystery surrounds the city.
Something is prowling the darkness.
Something that has kept the enigmatic rulers for centuries from escaping Sereth-Naga to spread their wickedness to other lands.
Prowling the Darkness is a stand-alone novella that is part of the Rayden Valkyrie Tales.
Author Links:
Website: www.stephenzimmer.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/stephenzimmer7
Twitter: @sgzimmer
Instagram: @stephenzimmer7
Tour Schedule and Activities
8/7 Armed with a Book http://www.armedwithabook.com Review
8/7 I Smell Sheep http://www.ismellsheep.com/ Guest Post
8/7 Fragile Winds http://mariadkins.blogspot.com Guest Post
8/8 The Most Sublime http://www.themostsublime.com Review
8/8 Breakeven Books https://breakevenbooks.com Guest Post
8/9 Armed with a Book http://www.armedwithabook.com Interview
8/10 Horror Tree https://www.horrortree.com Guest Post
8/10 Sheila’s Guests and Reviews http://sheiladeeth.blogspot.com Guest Post
8/11 Speculative Fiction Spot http://specfictionspot.blogspot.com/ Guest Post
8/12 Literary Underworld http://www.literaryunderworld.com Guest Post
8/13 Jazzy Book Reviews http://bookreviewsbyjasmine.blogspot.com Video Interview
8/13 The Book Junkie Reads https://thebookjunkiereadspromos.blogspot.com Guest Post
8/14 Stuart Conover’s Homepage https://www.stuartconover.com Top Ten’s List
8/14 Bookish Valhalla https://www.bookishvalhalla.com Review
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