When a picture paints a thousand words

As those of you who read this blog know, I am currently writing the first Luke Ballard Historical Mystery, "The Danger of Destiny".

It has not been an easy process partly because I have had to rethink much of the raison d'être behind the Luke books to ensure that everything is set and understood for the sequels, two of which have already been written. Yes, I know that's the wrong way round, but that's how it is.

The idea for this series came, ready formed into my head, on a car journey. I had an apothecary who had a talent for magic using the elements to help him. He had a helpmeet in a special breed of dog, a greyspring, who had the sight senses of the greyhound and scent senses of the springer spaniel, which in Tudor times was known as the "springing spaniel". I knew my protagonist's name was Luke and that he lived close to Hampton Court Palace. The phrase 'Henry's black-eyed boy' had been winging round my brain for a few years. This referred to the son Anne Boleyn never carried to term in 1534. He would have Henry VIII's wily brain and common touch forged to Anne's sloe-black eyes and quick tongue. Using the power of religious unrest in England in the 1540s an 1550s as a background for the plot, "A Duty of Evil" was born without much trouble. "A Taste for Treason" soon followed. The problem for me as a writer came when I realised I didn't know how Luke had come to be where he was and that led to "The Danger of Destiny" which tells of Luke's first 'case'.

Why should writing this prequel be difficult? Because I've had to decide how far Luke's magic abilities may impinge on the mystery story I am trying to tell. After all, if he is a magician - or in Luke's world, an elemancer - then surely all he needs to do is chant a few spells and the mystery should be laid bare. That would make for a very boring read, especially for this author who loves convoluted plots with unexpected twists and turns. So, I have made the basic tenet of elemancy to be that every powerful incantation/spell causes ripples which may be detected by the enemy sunderers - evil sorcerers - who want nothing more than power and will cause whatever chaos and mayhem they can to achieve it. While Luke may use simple spells, anything stronger can only be used in times of dire need. Therefore he must use his logic and deductive skills to solve the mysteries.

I've also had to rethink the role of Luke's faithful greyspring, Joss, who plays an integral part in his life as an elemancer. She protects him when he goes into trances and warns him of danger. Dogs have a long history of warning their owners of impending disasters, so, after much thought, I've decided to let Joss stay.

Most of all, though I needed to have some idea of what everything looked like. Enter the amazing Karri Klawiter, who in less than 4 days produced the cover for Danger of Destiny. I've put it as the banner for this blog and I hope everyone agrees that Karri is an incredible and talented graphic artist. You can find her at http://artbykarri.com