Rhee-El. Investigator. Sol.
Sometimes, no matter how long I sit in front of the computer, the words just don’t come. I really struggle with getting into character heads, especially if they are vastly different than my own. Rhyel, for example; she was very difficult to capture. I had a dozen or so rough draft pages before I decided I had a good introduction to her character.
Initially, I planned for her to be an Auditor like Kyo and Zee, and she was named Ril. But, as the story grew, so did her role. She changed personality, as well; originally, Rhyel was more of the calm and cool friend to Zee and Kyo, sort of the emotional stability to their trio.
Now, as I have worked the story over and given her a new character, she’s become a very fun and dangerous character. I’m so different from her that I find it difficult to get into her headspace, but when I do, she really takes control of the narrative and does what she wants with it.
I always feel a little strange when I say that a character controls the story and even changes what I have planned out, but it’s true. I had a particular idea for Rhyel, but she determined her own path. That’s her style though: she takes control of every situation she is in and handles business.
I hope you enjoy Rhyel’s grand entrance to the story and her arc as she moves through the pages.
Caitlyn Lasater 