It’s Saturday, and beginning today, and continuing until November 4th, we will have three visitors at the bar. David and I know them well, as they are repeat customers, if you will. They are also very special people. All three have been instrumental in moving me from blogger to author. I will also be trying to squeeze in Linda G. Hill’s Stream of Consciousness Saturday prompt, albeit I have to do it in this introduction. The rest of the post had too much material to not plan. Ooh, I think I did it.
“Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is: ‘material.’ Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!”
I want to start this post with something I said about Cheryl:
Those of you who follow my blog, “No Facilities,” might recognize Cheryl as the namesake of the regular bartender at bar on Saturday. Cheryl was in Damyanti’s writing group when I joined, and she was the first person to reach out to me and welcome me into that group. She convinced me that I belonged in that group. She encouraged me to develop the bar where my Saturday posts took place, as a fictional venue that I could use as a stage and as a way to develop characters and practice writing dialogue. Cheryl is a remarkable writer, and I have learned much from her feedback as she read early versions of all three books in this series. She also contributed in ways I can’t discuss without spoiling the story, but I appreciate her help.
Acknowledgement from The Evil You Choose
Now, if we were having a beer, you would have forgotten the most important thing.
“Good afternoon, Cheryl, I’d like…”
“David! Cheryl is our guest. You’ll have to wait for Skippy to fix your John Howell’s Special, and you’ll have to wait for him to fix Cheryl’s drink first.”
“Can I have my bourbon before you get your beer? I’m parched.”
“Of course. Here’s Skippy now.”
“Hi Dan, David. Hi Cheryl. I would have been here sooner, but I had to go downstairs for a new bottle of absinthe. The one we had only had a little left in. It sounds like you deserve a fresh one.”
“Why thank you, Skippy. A Sazerac depends on absinthe.”
“Ah, a New Orleans drink for our author lady from Louisiana. Nice touch, Cheryl.”
“Thanks David. It’s so good to be on this side of the bar.”
“Here you go, Cheryl. Note the perfect twist of lemon—I’ve been practicing. David, here’s your John Howell’s Special and Dan, here’s a nice cool Modelo.”
“Skippy…”
“Here are your cherries, David. I was hiding them just to tease you. I’ll leave you guys alone with your guest.”
“Cheers, Cheryl!”
“Yes. Cheers and congratulations on the release of Dawn of the Dream.”
“Thanks Guys. It took a while, but it’s out there and I am happy with it.”
“Cheryl. When we first ‘met’ in that writing group, not only were you the most kind and first to welcome me, you were also actively writing a story similar to Dawn of the Dream. You were writing it somewhat like a serial on your blog—if I remember correctly. Did that story precede Dawn of the Dream?”
“Wow, your memory is fantastic Dan. It was actually the first draft of this story that I submitted back then for publishing. It was accepted by one publisher with the caveat that I would be paying much of the cost. They were very positive about the content but fearful the audience might be small for such a lengthy book. Taking the advice of good friends, like yourself, who were kind enough to read that early work, I did a rewrite with Dawn of the Dream picking up were its ‘Mother’ ended. This afforded more action and character development with much of the original story woven in.”
“Did you finish that story?”
“Sort of, David. Dawn of the Dream is actually a continuation of the original manuscript titled Forever Never. It seems to be a perpetual tale, much like Existence. One good friend suggested I publish Forever Never as a prequel someday.”
“That’s a good idea. I’m reading Dawn of the Dream now, but I already feel like I could read more of this story.”
“Aww, thanks David.”
“Cheryl, I know this project has been a long time coming; when did you first decide to tell this story?”
“When I lived in Florida the first time, Dan. Around 2017. I loved to hike the Seminole Trail that ran behind our house. It is bordered by woods, mangrove areas and a lot of nature. One day something seemed to whisper to me from those shadowy woods and the seed was planted. My thoughts about creating our world were inspired by a lot of things along the way.”
“Tell us a little about the world of Domhan before this book begins—unless that’s another part of the series that you aren’t ready to reveal.”
“Domhan is a world, and although it isn’t our Earth, much of it is the same. But I wanted a world that was new, without attempting to tie in any of our actual history but rather giving it a clean slate on which to write its own legacy.”
“Unlike David, I have finished Dawn of the Dream. Your characters are so well developed; I feel like I got to know them while reading. I see so much potential for stories after the ending of this book. Is that where the series is headed?”
“Oh yes, Dan. I feel we only got a glimpse of who these characters are and what their potential is. I already have several chapters written. And things will heat up for them.”
“I am used to doing research, and I understand that a lot of research is required for fiction, but how do you do research for a fantasy story?”
“Oh gosh, for me it was tricky because of it being a new world and things needed to reflect that for me. I sometimes researched primitive ideas regarding where they lived, what kind of clothing they might wear, and developing tools. The most amusing thing for me was that when I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place regarding accuracy, I tried to remind myself that Domahn was my own fictional world, and anything was possible. But I also wanted plausibility. No made-up words or languages. I wanted things based on tangible ideas so that the reader could better relate.”
“Well, from what I’ve read, you did a great job. Everything in the world you created fits. It all makes sense, and it’s all believable. Did you start with a world view of the lands you described, or did you roll it out as you moved along?”
“It was both actually, David. But for the readers’ reference, my view of this world originates in tropical climates like Costa Rica. I was greatly inspired and wrote most of the original story while living there in our little ‘jungle house’. Of course, there had to be ocean lands, and that inspiration came from my Irish roots and desire to live there someday. Many of the names in the book are Irish and directly translate to their roles or personalities. It is the same with the Spanish names as well. Some things just presented themselves to me along the way, like adding other tribes from various lands that come together eventually.”
“Cheryl, do you have a favorite character? I was trying to figure out if I do. Then I started thinking about choosing a favorite child character and a favorite adult. Then I felt I’d have to choose an adult man and woman. I might even have to expand and choose a favorite animal.”
“I think we get the point, Dan. You like her characters.”
“Yes, David. I do. But, I’m curious about which ones she likes.”
“She wrote the book, Dan. She probably likes them all.”
“Can we hear from Cheryl, please?”
“I would love to hear what you decided on Dan. Wow. I know who my favorites are but almost hesitate to say because they are all my dearest friends at this point. Let’s just say that even now when I read the story, I get a ripple of excitement whenever Laoch and Naofa are around. They just have a special something… and you’ll be able to tell I love the children.”
“I don’t want to mention my favorites, because I’d probably introduce spoilers.”
“Agreed, Dan. Let’s let the readers decide who they like best.”
“OK, but along those lines, when working with spiritual beings, some who have magical powers, did you have to establish boundaries? Were there limits to the magic you wouldn’t allow yourself to exceed?”
“That’s a great question, Dan. While I know readers love a full-on magical experience, those books are out there in the dozens. Now, make no mistake, I am a Harry Potterhead through and through. But I wanted people to be able to identify personally with these gentle but fierce humans and imagine themselves in similar circumstances. I chose to keep the magic, by and large, linked to the natural world or the realms that Domhan was connected to. These are gifted yet fallible humans. They have doubts and need encouragement even though they are powerful.”
“I think their failings make them even more relatable.”
“Thanks Dan. That’s good to hear.”
“You have several groups of people/beings in the book. Did you develop them like characters? Did you give them attributes as a group first and then work on individuals, or was that the other way round?”
“That’s an interesting question, David. The addition of the ‘others’ beyond my original cast of characters came out of a) necessity for the plot in this particular story and b) a desire for diversity on their world. While not every possible race may be represented in this tale, as their world increases, so will its inhabitants. I also tried to avoid direct correlation to any race because my world isn’t Earth. It is written in English because that is my own language. I hope to someday have other translations available if the interest is there.”
“Endings are the tricky part for me, Cheryl. Did you know the ending before you began? Were there surprises for you along the way while telling this story? If so, were they things that made sense, or did your characters want more or different things?”
“Honestly, Dan, no—I didn’t know the ending. That is one reason it took me so long to complete. I really dislike endings that I can figure out easily or things that drag on and wrap up without enough explanation. The ending came to me after our second return to Panama. Hubby liked me to read the written chapters to him at night. It was during one of those times that the story told me how it wanted to finish. I know you understand how your characters tell you what they want.”
“True dat. Since you’re drinking that Sazerac, I thought I should invoke the spirit of that city.”
“And Skippy made this pretty well. I think I’d like another.”
“Skippy, another round, please.”
“Coming right up. You guys want some food?”
“Cheryl, are you hungry?”
“Dan, I love our burgers. I’m always jealous when someone orders one at the bar. I’ll have mine, medium well, with mushrooms, provolone and a side of fries.”
“Make that two, Skippy, but I’ll have mine with Swiss.”
“Make it three, Skippy, and just to be different, Cheddar on mine.”
“OK, provolone for Cheryl, Swiss for Dan and Cheddar for David.”
“I bet he messes up this order.”
“You bet, David? You want to bet the tab?”
“What to I get if I win, Dan?”
“I’ll pay the tab and give you the same amount in cash.”
“Deal!”
”Cheryl, you have two blogs, or I should say you have a blog on two different platforms. Where is the best place to find Cheryl?”
“Well I have a love/hate relationship with WP and have filled up two blogs with photography. That’s when I went to Blogger on your suggestion, Dan. While I love its simplicity and more user-friendly aspect, most people have trouble commenting or working with it. So, I am returning to my tropicalaffair.me blog for better access. I am keeping all blogs active so I can be found at any and I normally link posts from Blogger to my WP blog.”
“Cheryl, we’ve know you a long time. You have a number of talents, art, poetry, photography and writing. Not to mention cooking and baking. Which of these do you like to focus on?”
“Oh, David. I’m laughing now because I recently decided I am somewhat of an ADHD Creative. I tend to bounce. BUT, writing is my first love and always will be. Publishing this book has been a dream since I was very young. Not many people know this but in high school my goal was to become a photojournalist like Candace Bergen. Photography is right up there and is my own form of meditation. Connecting with Nature is my peace. Art can be trying because I am too self-judgmental. Jewelry is such fun and freeing. And, well, if I couldn’t bake or cook I would be devastated. See? Told ya’!”
“Do you have a timeline for future books?”
“Once I feel this ‘project’ can be left on its own, David, I will be getting on to the second installment. As I mentioned, there are already several roughly written chapters. I am trying to make it a shorter installment if possible. Much like life, I can see endless possibilities for my dear friends on Domhan. The struggle for balance between the darkness and light is inevitable.”
“Cheryl. One last question, if you don’t mind. Are your characters based on anyone you know or are they purely fictional?”
“Dan, while there are similarities in my characters to friends and loved ones, they are all, in some part, aspects of myself. I came to realize this as I was creating this story. I believe they are aspects found within most all humans.”
“OK, burgers are up. Cheryl, congratulations again on your book, here’s your burger with Pro-Va-Lone! Dan, Swiss, complete with holes and David, some Cheddar for the man paying the bill—I overheard you making that bet with Dan.”
“I am truly sorry I ever doubted you, Skippy.”
“I’m sure you are, David, here’s a fresh round of drinks, and you’ll be happy to know that these are on the house, in honor of Cheryl’s accomplishment.”
“Thanks Skippy. This burger is delicious, and the Sazeracs are great, and you’re right, this is a perfect twist!”
“Good luck with the book, Cheryl.”
“Thanks so much for hosting me Dan. I hope everyone reading has checked out your wonderful series. Your books are intriguing, fun and very feel-good.”
I know you’ve been reading a while, and I thank you. Just two quick notes: 1) Damyanti Biswas will be our guest next week, and 2) On Monday, I will publish my entry for Teagan Geneviene’s Halloween Creative Challenge.
If you want to buy Cheryl’s book,
Dawn of the Dream – Kindle
Dawn of the Dream – Paperback
And, if you want to follow Cheryl at her blog, click here.
All five of my current books are now available in audio book form thanks to Amazon KDP’s Virtual Voice process. The voice is AI generated, but I can honestly say, it’s pretty darn good. The audio books are reasonably priced (all below $7 US) and, if you already own the Kindle version and want to add an audio version, you can do that for $1.99. There is a five-minute sample on the book page for each book. If you’re interested, click on any of the Dreamer’s Alliance book links below the image or on the link below for my latest book.
No Facilities 
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