Building the characters of Terminum: A journey through time

I find that one of the most interesting aspects of the writing process is breathing dimension into a character. 

I like to do this by exploring the past. Unearthing trauma, joy, heartache, or a life-changing meeting of the minds can be a powerful way to get to know someone. Often, we’ll see one character share a memory with another in conversation. Flashbacks are also a popular option. The latter is especially abundant in Terminum, where we follow two stories: there’s the “present” timeline that takes place in 2163, and a track that runs through nearly every character’s past. I want readers to know how each character became who they are, and why they’re doing what they’re doing. What are their intentions? Their true motives?

In our everyday lives, memories are constantly being triggered. Maybe we’re talking to a friend, and they say something that stirs up imagery of a situation you found yourself in long ago. Perhaps you’ve spaced out thinking about something – or someone – you miss, or even a long-held regret. These human moments manifest throughout the story, and take on different forms. A line here. A chapter there. A few pages that sneak in just before a big scene. When the font has changed in the main body of text, we’ve travelled back in time.

It takes some detective work on the reader’s part. The puzzle pieces are laid out, and you put them together. I love a story that lets me do some of the thinking on my own. I’ve always been big on making predictions, linking two events that I think may be related, and trying to figure out how a particular element fits into the story. 

This is the sort of action you can expect from Terminum. You won’t get all the answers immediately, but all shall be revealed by the end of the series!