Behind the Scenes
Author's Note
The final book of The Aurora Chronicles, The Emperor's Raven, follows 21-year-old Jia as she journeys to Xu in search of the imprisoned Crown Prince Izaki Min Kin, and his siblings. Trapped in a swirling vortex of violence and on the brink of utter despair, Jia must clear the way for the young prince to take the Xun throne.
When I first began writing Jia's story, I knew two things - (1) I wanted the overarching theme to center around betrayal and (2) I knew Dasiel was going to die at Jia's hands. From there, I had to build plot and character development. Dasiel's betrayal wasn't going to be a minor infraction. It was going to be the cornerstone of the story and influence Jia in profound ways. To ensure I achieved that, I worked diligently to build Jia and Dasiel's relationship.
Readers needed to like Dasiel - at least a little - and admire the sacrifices he had made to care for Jia. As I introduced Dasiel into the story, I began learning about him. Although I had had a general idea of who he was, he showed me quickly the nuances of his personality and how they all went against who I thought him to be. Through his interactions with Reila and Kaito, I learned that he knew his place as a weapon-for-hire and understood the societal frameworks within Shiin. He knew that he was despised and had no power against nobles and elites. His interactions with other Clan members and Reapers, however, proved that he had no qualms going against authority.
Dasiel's conversations with Tehyo revealed facets of his personality that were more relateable. His jealousy, rivalry, and subsequent anger toward Tehyo were very human reactions. He understood that while he could best Tehyo in combat, the real threat existed in the knowledge and insight Tehyo commanded. Dasiel saw that Tehyo offered Jia something he himself had never been able to give her. His interactions with Tehyo fleshed out his insecurities and explored the primary motivators of his life.
Jia's side of the betrayal was just as difficult to conjure as it required different styles of writing. In The Assassin's Apprentice, Jia is short-tempered, unlikable, and not an ideal protagonist. But the story she tells of Dasiel rescuing her when she was a child humanizes her and, subsequently, her mentor. After a part of her history was revealed, I wanted to meet Dasiel. He had to be a good person, right? He rescued and raised a child into adulthood! In that way, Jia and the readers' desires aligned. Everyone wanted to learn more about Dasiel, to meet him.
When Dasiel did eventually make his appearance and became a trusting voice, Jia's perception of him began changing. He was different; who he had become was not someone she wanted to associate with. As their medium, I had to balance the characters' emotions and perceptions. As Dasiel's more humane side was revealed and he became more relateable, Jia's dislike for him grew.
Tehyo's commentary and insight into their relationship complicated matters further as he provided a mixture of subjective and objective observations that skewed my fondness for each character accordingly.
Only after their relationship had been deepened did I allow the betrayal to seep into the story.
When I first began writing Jia's story, I knew two things - (1) I wanted the overarching theme to center around betrayal and (2) I knew Dasiel was going to die at Jia's hands. From there, I had to build plot and character development. Dasiel's betrayal wasn't going to be a minor infraction. It was going to be the cornerstone of the story and influence Jia in profound ways. To ensure I achieved that, I worked diligently to build Jia and Dasiel's relationship.
Readers needed to like Dasiel - at least a little - and admire the sacrifices he had made to care for Jia. As I introduced Dasiel into the story, I began learning about him. Although I had had a general idea of who he was, he showed me quickly the nuances of his personality and how they all went against who I thought him to be. Through his interactions with Reila and Kaito, I learned that he knew his place as a weapon-for-hire and understood the societal frameworks within Shiin. He knew that he was despised and had no power against nobles and elites. His interactions with other Clan members and Reapers, however, proved that he had no qualms going against authority.
Dasiel's conversations with Tehyo revealed facets of his personality that were more relateable. His jealousy, rivalry, and subsequent anger toward Tehyo were very human reactions. He understood that while he could best Tehyo in combat, the real threat existed in the knowledge and insight Tehyo commanded. Dasiel saw that Tehyo offered Jia something he himself had never been able to give her. His interactions with Tehyo fleshed out his insecurities and explored the primary motivators of his life.
Jia's side of the betrayal was just as difficult to conjure as it required different styles of writing. In The Assassin's Apprentice, Jia is short-tempered, unlikable, and not an ideal protagonist. But the story she tells of Dasiel rescuing her when she was a child humanizes her and, subsequently, her mentor. After a part of her history was revealed, I wanted to meet Dasiel. He had to be a good person, right? He rescued and raised a child into adulthood! In that way, Jia and the readers' desires aligned. Everyone wanted to learn more about Dasiel, to meet him.
When Dasiel did eventually make his appearance and became a trusting voice, Jia's perception of him began changing. He was different; who he had become was not someone she wanted to associate with. As their medium, I had to balance the characters' emotions and perceptions. As Dasiel's more humane side was revealed and he became more relateable, Jia's dislike for him grew.
Tehyo's commentary and insight into their relationship complicated matters further as he provided a mixture of subjective and objective observations that skewed my fondness for each character accordingly.
Only after their relationship had been deepened did I allow the betrayal to seep into the story.
Spectrum of Darkness
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All of my protagonists from every book I've written fit onto a spectrum of darkness, a scale representing characters' personalities and tendencies. Jia can be found at the very end of the spectrum. Her overall life, her actions and reactions, tendencies, mindset, and general negativity frequent the darker side of the scale.
Here is a mock-up of the spectrum. |
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Ask for Help
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After Dasiel's death, Jia is drawn into a yawning abyss of despair and depression. Wrought with guilt and self-loathing, she drags on through her mission wishing that everything would just end. Shortly after slaying Draxa - Eun Min - Jia turns her blade on herself, intent on suicide. It is only thanks to Tehyo that she goes on to rescue the Xun heirs, meet Dasiel's father, and take down a tyrant.
Jia's suicide attempt is something I hold close to my heart as it echos my own struggle with depression and anxiety. Her thoughts and mindset at the time are exact reflections of my own experience with such dark thoughts. It is through the saving grace of my husband - who comes in the form of Tehyo - that I have overcome such obstacles. |
Ask for help.
Find a family member or friend. If you don't have anyone you're comfortable talking with, please contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline. Take care of yourself. |
Post-Epilogue - From the Author
Although The Aurora Chronicles officially ends with The Emperor's Raven, Jia's tales do not. In an unofficial - and slightly more mature - manuscript, the following is revealed:
- Jia keeps her title as Minister of Foreign Affairs but remains deeply unhappy and restless.
- After returning from Dasiel's gravesite, Jia is pulled back into a deep, enduring depression.
- The new emperor, Izaki Min, falls in love with Jia because she was the first woman to give unto him unconditional support and loyalty.
- It is revealed that Reila's father, Regent of Liang, Teleo Hashur, has fathered a child with Queen Milindi Thyre.
- Izaki marries Dahlia Thyre, Princess of Liang. Though they become good friends, he never falls in love with her.
- Jia mistakenly finds out that Tehyo harbors resentment toward her because she didn't stop Dasiel's betrayal sooner.
- Reila bears a daughter, surprising everyone given her presumed adjusted age.
- When Izaki's authority is put into question by the Xun Clan of Blades, Jia sets out to meet with Kamal in Ershan.