Rhys of Earth
Behind the Scenes
Author's Note
While teaching my adult ESL classes at the library in 2014, I often had to answer difficult, hard-to-explain questions regarding grammar, idioms, turns-of-phrase, and cultural discrepancies. I was always trying to figure out how best to explain concepts without further confusing my students by using advanced vocabulary. Providing explanations of cultural norms and business practices in the US complicated my job further.
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Eventually, these questions and concerns drove me to delve into what can only be described as philosophy – what does it mean to be human? How do you explain the state of being human to someone who knows nothing of it? Thus, Rhys of Earth was born.
My first task was to somehow create a world wherein a human (mostly human individual) knew nothing of what sets humans apart from other species. Music, literature, emotion, written word and expression, philosophy, and ethics – all of these had to be stripped away from the protagonist. |
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My goal was to reveal to Rhys Falkrow, the main character, all of these elements in due course and essentially observe how he (and his sister) put them to use.
While the book itself did not require special travel, it most certainly necessitated extensive research. Not only did I need to learn various forms of physics to explain in detail the science of flight, sailing, and aerodynamics, but I had to create ships, tools, and mechanisms that exist only in this post-apocalyptic world. With the aid of my husband who is a mechanical engineer and my father who was a pilot, I was able to accurately write and describe these new fictitious tools.
Rhys of Earth is an examination of what it means to be human through the use of fiction. While readers are pulled along by Rhys’ enduring task of safeguarding his sister, they come across a variety of situations and dilemmas that ask them to think critically and wonder what it is that makes the human species so powerful.
Philosophical and ethical themes galore pepper this novel as the protagonist must make difficult decisions, wrestle with the meaning of power and death, and come to terms with his own mortality. Through the introduction of fictitious religions and deities, the influence of religion on populations comes into play at an early stage in the book. Likewise, discrimination, adversity, and authoritarianism are also set early on and eventually explored using plot and character development.
Additionally, Rhys of Earth delves into human sexuality, romance, and relationships platonic and romantic. While there is not especially explicit material within its pages, the book (and its subsequent sequels) is meant for a NEW ADULT audience ages (16+).
While the book itself did not require special travel, it most certainly necessitated extensive research. Not only did I need to learn various forms of physics to explain in detail the science of flight, sailing, and aerodynamics, but I had to create ships, tools, and mechanisms that exist only in this post-apocalyptic world. With the aid of my husband who is a mechanical engineer and my father who was a pilot, I was able to accurately write and describe these new fictitious tools.
Rhys of Earth is an examination of what it means to be human through the use of fiction. While readers are pulled along by Rhys’ enduring task of safeguarding his sister, they come across a variety of situations and dilemmas that ask them to think critically and wonder what it is that makes the human species so powerful.
Philosophical and ethical themes galore pepper this novel as the protagonist must make difficult decisions, wrestle with the meaning of power and death, and come to terms with his own mortality. Through the introduction of fictitious religions and deities, the influence of religion on populations comes into play at an early stage in the book. Likewise, discrimination, adversity, and authoritarianism are also set early on and eventually explored using plot and character development.
Additionally, Rhys of Earth delves into human sexuality, romance, and relationships platonic and romantic. While there is not especially explicit material within its pages, the book (and its subsequent sequels) is meant for a NEW ADULT audience ages (16+).
They Were Where for How Long? |
Mock-Up Covers |
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Yup, even I had a hard time keeping up with where Rhys was throughout Rhys of Earth. The book flaunts a timeline that seems expansive and yet, the entire story takes place in the time span of about two months! Much happens during that time which makes the events within that more powerful. It's no wonder Rhys and Alina have such a rough time adjusting. They are literally bludgeoned with drama! Here's a shorthand calendar I used to ensure my time references were correct. As basic as it might appear, it was instrumental in keeping everything in check.
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While writing, I usually play with images and colors, photo effects and scenes to get an idea of what I want for the book cover. Most of them are not good, but the process is a worthy one nonetheless. Here are some of the mock-ups for Rhys of Earth.
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Conversion Chart
Rhys of Earth utilizes a variety of terms that is (1) fictitious and (2)means absolutely nothing to the protagonist and the readers. Although the numbers don't match, they are close enough to be called equivalents.
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Keis Niks Hits Retems Klepira Liretems |
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Degrees Knots Seconds Meters Currency Kilometers |
Rejected Photography
While playing with images, I went through my own photography to see if I could find anything that could be of use. In the end, I resorted to other methods, however I thought I'd share samples from my own collection that I deemed possibly worthy.
