Transcript of the Question & Answer and book discussion of The Bird and The Sword. This Q&A has spoilers in it, so only read it if you have read the book.
Reader: What were some of your inspirations for the characters?
I have a very hard time picturing faces. My characters are more familiar to me on a spiritual level than on a physical level. But their physical characteristics are usually developed according to their personalities. Lark: small, delicate. Grey-eyed. Ashy colored hair. She was very much like air or ice. Silent, quiet. unobtrusive.
Tiras: Physically powerful, sharp-featured. More striking than beautiful, but he grows in beauty, at least in Lark's eyes. I have a Pinterest board for this book that was simply awesome to create. I am constantly adding new pictures.
Reader: Did you incorporate or weave parts of the Bible into your storyline?
The underlying inspiration for this book was the scripture from the bible that you see in the header of Chapter One: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
That is so incredibly powerful! I have this scripture on the wall of my office, because it’s so relevant to me. If the WORD itself is God, then with words, God created worlds. With words, I create worlds. I started to wonder, what if my characters had this power?
The second inspiration was the scripture at the beginning of the book. I took out the words ‘of God’ because it fit a little better for the story to just say the word.
For the word is quick and powerful,
Sharper than any two-edged sword.
Piercing, even to the dividing asunder
Of soul and spirit,
Of joints and marrow.
It is a discerner of the thoughts
And intents of the heart.
Reader: What were some of your inspirations for the characters?
I have a very hard time picturing faces. My characters are more familiar to me on a spiritual level than on a physical level. But their physical characteristics are usually developed according to their personalities. Lark: small, delicate. Grey-eyed. Ashy colored hair. She was very much like air or ice. Silent, quiet. unobtrusive.
Tiras: Physically powerful, sharp-featured. More striking than beautiful, but he grows in beauty, at least in Lark's eyes. I have a Pinterest board for this book that was simply awesome to create. I am constantly adding new pictures.
Reader: Did you incorporate or weave parts of the Bible into your storyline?
The underlying inspiration for this book was the scripture from the bible that you see in the header of Chapter One: In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. (John 1:1)
That is so incredibly powerful! I have this scripture on the wall of my office, because it’s so relevant to me. If the WORD itself is God, then with words, God created worlds. With words, I create worlds. I started to wonder, what if my characters had this power?
The second inspiration was the scripture at the beginning of the book. I took out the words ‘of God’ because it fit a little better for the story to just say the word.
For the word is quick and powerful,
Sharper than any two-edged sword.
Piercing, even to the dividing asunder
Of soul and spirit,
Of joints and marrow.
It is a discerner of the thoughts
And intents of the heart.
