Ask the Author: Dane Vale
Answered Questions (1)
Dane Vale
Okay, this is sort of complicated. I originally wrote two trilogies, gosh, years ago. I liked the characters in the world, which I dubbed “Irth”—but I let those stories languish, didn’t actually find markets for them, because I didn’t think they were ready, yet.
So, I drew maps (love maps), built the history of the world—the religion, the history (ancient and recent), established timelines, and so on. The world grew, and I was happy to help it grow, but I still didn’t unleash it.
Then, I came up with the characters of Farys and Sibyl, who’re very much a “dynamic duo” for me. They’re almost literally Sword (Farys) & Sorcery (Sibyl). I liked their vibe, and came up with two opponents for them—the Manticore (Farys) and the Dragon (Sibyl). The Dragon actually existed from my earlier world-building, whereas the Manticore was new. I see Farys and Sibyl as very Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser in their unity as opposites. Farys is the urbane sophisticate mercenary knight, and Sibyl is the more rustic ingénue, elemental and mystical.
Another character I pulled from my world-building is Fiss’Q (pronounced “FISK”), who’s one of my favorites. She’s a curious, Renaissance warrior woman who’d give James Bond a run for his money. Fiss’Q ennobles anything she’s involved in, and I look forward to writing more stories with her.
Anyway, Farys, Sibyl, and Fiss’Q propelled me back to Irth, and I began to conceive of a series of many novellas that document particular adventures of theirs, toward some particular character arcs. These stories are like islands in a sea of Irth, which will eventually lead back to the novels of Irth. It’s very exciting to work on it, and through it.
So, I drew maps (love maps), built the history of the world—the religion, the history (ancient and recent), established timelines, and so on. The world grew, and I was happy to help it grow, but I still didn’t unleash it.
Then, I came up with the characters of Farys and Sibyl, who’re very much a “dynamic duo” for me. They’re almost literally Sword (Farys) & Sorcery (Sibyl). I liked their vibe, and came up with two opponents for them—the Manticore (Farys) and the Dragon (Sibyl). The Dragon actually existed from my earlier world-building, whereas the Manticore was new. I see Farys and Sibyl as very Fafhrd and the Gray Mouser in their unity as opposites. Farys is the urbane sophisticate mercenary knight, and Sibyl is the more rustic ingénue, elemental and mystical.
Another character I pulled from my world-building is Fiss’Q (pronounced “FISK”), who’s one of my favorites. She’s a curious, Renaissance warrior woman who’d give James Bond a run for his money. Fiss’Q ennobles anything she’s involved in, and I look forward to writing more stories with her.
Anyway, Farys, Sibyl, and Fiss’Q propelled me back to Irth, and I began to conceive of a series of many novellas that document particular adventures of theirs, toward some particular character arcs. These stories are like islands in a sea of Irth, which will eventually lead back to the novels of Irth. It’s very exciting to work on it, and through it.
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