Talia (Discovery Writing)

Hey guys!  So as writers out there know, chances are you will create an outline to build the story.  But what happens when you are developing a character?  I like to use a technique called Discovery Writing.  In a simple explanation it is an instance in time involving the character that you just write about.  Feel out the character, and get a feel for how they interact and live.  You don’t have to get too descriptive, it is simply a way to get into their heads and see life through their eyes.  Below, you are going to see my discovery writing for a character brought to life by a good friend of mine, Matt Flint.  https://www.facebook.com/theartofmattflint/

“Again girl.”  The voice crept from the shadows. 

The pointed ear elf breathed heavily in the center of the room as the words reached her.  Chills shot up her back in defiance to the command.

“I’ve been doing this since the feast, I must break.”  The female stared tired and defiant into the shadows surrounding her.

“As you wish, you will break.”  Before the sentence finished a bolt of red traced through the air and lashed the exhausted elf.  Without pause, a second arch streaked from a different point and whipped with intensity.  This time, the girl roared in pain, anger flashing across her face.  “Again girl, or I refrain from holding back.”

Without question, Talia stood and resumed her stance; ignoring the pain she proceeded to perform her movements.  With every step dust kicked up around her and the air began to shimmer.  The shimmering took hold into a form as she waved her arms with every foot placement.  In moments, Talia’s eyes glowed purple and a stream of liquid light coursed around her.  The trembling began once more, first her feet twitched as if she was trying to balance upon a rope.  Her knees fought from buckling as her arms began to shake and tire.  As before, Talia lost focus, which forced the liquid light around her to disperse into glittering dust.  Her tired green eyes scanned the darkness around her, she knew the pain was coming.

“Fool.  Allow me to assist you in focusing…”  Bolts of red, green and blue launched from the darkness surrounding her.

Talia’s reflection winced up at her from the crystal lake.  The burns covering her skin would soon heal from the water before her, though the burned tunic on the other hand, was beyond scorched.  Eschewing her destroyed garbs, Talia breathed deep as the forests winds danced and kissed her naked body.  With a gentle step, she welcomed the cold water to surround her.  She finally opened her eyes as her breasts broke the pristine surface and submerged below the healing water.

“My child, your ordeal will be over soon.”  A gentle voice swayed among the breeze.

“It is nothing, Dotar will be dead soon.”  Talia spat back into the air.

“Of that I have no doubt, but while he still lives, he provides you a use.  Focus on the training, rise above the pain, and your first steps of retribution will be upon you.”

“Retribution is too nice of a word.  Dotar and his kind will suffer long before they die for what they did to my tribe.”  Talia spoke to the rustling trees above.

“Of course, my child.  Walk in the essence and see to your goal.”  The breeze carried the words out of the dense forest giving Talia silence once more.