Meet Nyla

Monday, 4/3/23

HiHi, followers!

Thank you x 1,000 for forging ahead with me as I bring out some of the more intimate details of my characters. I don’t know where I heard it, but to create meaningful, believable characters, writers sometimes need to picture them in everyday situations like conversations or in other real-world interactions. I’ve learned the power of having a conversation with my characters in my blog, and I think the interviews will make them even BETTER for you as my readers. Not to mention, I love that these are completely made-up people. Think about it for yourself: what would you talk about with someone from fiction if you had the chance? Personally, I would love to talk to Sauron (LOTR), Xiala (Black Sun) Dumbledore (HP), or Winston Smith (1984)! I’m sure they would have some interesting words of wisdom to share.

Next up in our series is Nyla. She’s a wise leader in the Jakar desert community in “Obsidian.” Have fun getting to know her and leave any questions you have for any or my characters or myself in the Comments section. Next time I’ll be interviewing Shopnil from Camouraska, so be sure to come back for that.

Disclaimer: the images of the characters were generated on Canva’s Text to Image Artificial Intelligence (AI) software. They aren’t the final representation of the characters in “Dark Salvation” but, rather, visual representations of the characters so you can understand the characters better.

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JOHN: Tell us about yourself. Where you’re from, what you do for a living, for fun, etc. etc.

NYLA: I’m one of the leaders in the Jakar desert community. I’m originally from Camouraska. For fun, I love creating things from Energite and sparring with others.

JOHN: What have you made with the Energite?

NYLA: I’ve made many things. Since you probably want some of the more interesting things I’ve made, I created a symbol of the Light of the Stars for our council chamber table and made the council chamber itself out of a combination of sand and Energite.

JOHN: Some of the others I’ve talked to don’t think making things out of the Energite is a good idea, such as your son, Shataym. He says one of the things you’ve told him is that Energite “isn’t the solution.” What did you mean by that?

NYLA: I use the Energite for practical purposes quite often, but sometimes I create interesting things too, as I said. What I mean by it not being a solution is that we don’t really own the Energite or can claim it as belonging to anyone but Camouraska. It has the final say as to what happens with the Energite. We can have fun with it on Ralga, but it will never truly be ours.

JOHN: Why does the Energite belong to Camouraska?

NYLA: You must have covered this already, but the Energite is part of Camouraska. All the Energite on Ralga is a product of Camouraska. Jskjgl;weljdiidnn;aldlkdkddfsdfsdfdsfsfdsf. <REDACTED>

JOHN: What are your thoughts about the desert? Do you like living there?

NYLA: It’s home for now. We don’t really have a choice in the matter.

JOHN: Do believe in the Prophecy of the Light of the Stars?

NYLA: I waver in my beliefs. My partner is a devout follower, but I can’t understand what final solution is worth all the destruction and pain we’ve experienced as a people. Maybe I’m frustrated because I live in the desert away from the center of the prophecy, Camouraska.

JOHN: I interviewed a devout follower, Jabesh, and he was very convinced about the prophecy. Are there a lot of others like him and your partner in Camouraska that are as devout?

NYLA: First, my partner and Jabesh are one in the same. There is a large group of followers of the prophecy, and they meet regularly to talk with Camouraska. I only attended one of those meetings. There was a lot of beautiful lights and sound, but it still wasn’t convincing enough.

JOHN: Why weren’t you convinced?

NYLA: I had a tough childhood. Jabesh, me, and a few other Camouraskans are all that’s left of the original people that decided to live in Camouraska before the world fell apart. I remember living in fear in the forest and in Jakar City before it was destroyed. Like I said, I don’t understand how all that fear and destruction can be erased by any Truth the Lights of the Stars reveals.

JOHN: What if I said I could change your mind about the prophecy. Do you think that’s possible?

NYLA: Perhaps, but I don’t think any amount of writing on your part will change my opinion. I’ve lived through horrors, most of them in the name of finding the Truth. If I believe, it will be by some miracle.

JOHN: We’ll see. Other than Jabesh and Shataym, do you have any family out here or are they in Camouraska?

NYLA: I had a daughter out here, but she’s gone. Other than that, no, I don’t.

JOHN: Mariam asked me to send a message to her mother in Camouraska. If by some miracle I can send a message to Jabesh, would you like me to, and what would you like say?

NYLA: I would love that. Tell him I love him.

JOHN: I will try. I know how important family is. Here’s a question I’ve asked everyone: What about any danger? I mean, this is a science fiction novel series with some thrilling/suspenseful elements.

NYLA: The desert is a very dangerous place. It’s hot during the day and cold at night. Mariam just told me we also found someone in the desert, possibly another exile from Camouraska. We don’t know if she’s dangerous or not.

JOHN: And what do you think about Camouraska? The other people I interviewed said it’s not dangerous there. What do you think?

NYLA: It’s most certainly dangerous there too, but for different reasons. The leader, Valdesha, is one of the most dangerous people I’ve met. Please, if you interview her, tell her she can’t keep us out here forever. Can you do that for me?

JOHN: I can try. I interviewed Shataym and Mariam a few weeks ago. You are all leaders in Jakar. Is it difficult to have 3 leaders, or do you make it work?

NYLA: Yes. We’re like family out here.

JOHN: That’s it? There’s no tension?

NYLA: There was some difficulties with Mariam and Shataym, but I think they worked it out. There bond is the strongest I know.

JOHN: Any parting thoughts for the readers?

NYLA: Just because something sounds good doesn’t mean it’s always the perfect solution. Do what’s right for you and for those that you love. Nothing’s more important than supporting the people in your life.