The Windcaster [Fantasy/Adventure | Featured | Complete ]

Author's Note: Questions, Facts, and Thank Yous

"The Windcaster" is a an Epic Fantasy-Adventure that was born on 21 August, 2013 and was completed on 25 December, 2013. It is my first completed novel as an adult (although strictly speaking, "Seeker" was finished when I was 18 years old).  As you read this, the story will be undergoing some initial rewrites, followed by an overhaul in the upcoming weeks/months.

**As of August 8th, 2014, The Windcaster is a Wattpad featured novel**

The Windcaster was lucky enough to be short-listed into the top five of the Young Writers Award in 2014, although sadly didn't win first prize. Thank you so much for the support.

Thank Yous

First and foremost, I'd like to thank my readers. Whether you read silently, or vote and comment on every chapter, my appreciation for your support and encouragement cannot be easily put into words. Seeing the number of reads jump day by day, and seeing this book hop on and off the ranking system–superficial as it probably sounds–really gave me confidence in my ability to write. "The Windcaster" may not make it to #1 or to the "What's Hot List"–for whatever that's worth–but knowing that the story has enough potential to attract some readers has been a great reward.

The first personal thanks go to TudorPrincess (A.K.A. Azaria). She is the author of "The Whore of Babylon", a brilliantly-written historical fiction that was begun at around the same time as "The Windcaster", but her efficiency in writing and updating meant that WoB had long finished–and amounted endless success–before I even reached the first climax on mine. She gave me so much encouragement, inspiration, and exposure; because of her shout-outs for my book, I've been able to hit several big milestones for a hobby writer, such as getting ranks, 2k reads, 5k reads, and so on.  Without her, I may remain undiscovered to this day.

The second thanks go to my dear adult thread friends who have read this story and supported me throughout its writing. I'm talking about you guys: JYHarris (the lovely kitty cat), Misguidedangelspen (my great friend Gerood), Therideoflife (my dear moo twin), Rosaimee (Madame vice president), and Wuckster (another fellow fantasy writer). I can always trust on you guys to tell me what's on your minds and for your comments, and I can't thank you enough for your time and efforts. Please go check out their works; they're all very talented and brilliant writers!

What is the inspiration for the story?

The story has been sitting in my mind for several years, although it's never progressed beyond Mooncliffe. The story first came into my head when I watched "Tales of Earthsea", the Studio Ghibli animated film. I've always loved Studio Ghibli animations for their amazing storylines, breath-taking art and animation, and amazing music. When I saw the town Sparrowhawk took Arun, I had the sudden vision of a little girl running with a hooded cloak on her back down those steps, towards the harbour, with the beautiful ocean in her mind; thus Tiamat and Mooncliffe was born.

What is the inspiration for your characters?

Tia's always been a part of me. Her innocence, her optimistic look on life, and her absolute, inherent trust in strangers all stemmed from me before I entered university. Such naiveté caused quite a lot of trouble and tears in first year, but reflecting on that really helped me grow as an adult. Her maturation during this story and her slow and painful digestion on the darkness of the "world outside" was me, three years ago, lost, alone, and homesick in that remote Scottish uni.

Master Anu is the wise and loving grandfather I've always wanted. Enlil's humour and sceptical protectiveness and Mommu's unconditional love and support are the best qualities I can draw from my friends, virtual or in real life. Each of their best attributes are condensed and reproduced in our two boys.

Where do your characters' names come from?

All the characters' names are from Babylonian deities. Tiamat is a chaos monster and goddess of the ocean. Enlil is the god of wind. Mommu is the god of mist and the son of Tiamat.

I chose the names originally because I'm a fan of the Final Fantasy games. Having battled the monster Tiamat in FFXII, I've always wanted to call a character "Tiamat" and call her "Tia" for short. I've also always wanted to use some sort of Greek/Sumerian/Babylonian god names for characters in a story.

Will there be a sequel?

At the moment, I feel that there is enough closure in this story so there will not be a sequel. I never say 'never', so there is a possibility. I do love the trio, and would love to keep writing them, but I don't think there is enough plot to sustain another story at this moment in time.

If I were to write a sequel, it would either be set a little in the future, when Tia is a fully qualified Windcaster–perhaps as a young adult–or a prequel, either the story of young Enlil before he met Tia and Mommu, or a young Master Anu. These are the areas I think I can develop a full story in, at the moment.

If you have any more ideas, please feel free to PM me—maybe you can give me the spark for The Windcaster Book 2!

What's next?

Well, aside from trying to make myself rewrite The Windcaster and curb the frivolities of an amateur writer, I've started a new project after entering a competition. My newest story is called "Essence of Gisella", although the title may change depending on whether or not I win said competition. (Update: the story is now called "Rise of the Vengeful Dragon" and is a completed novel.) Go check it out and let me know what you think!

Other full-length novels:

For dragons and magic, check out DRAGON RISING.

For fast-packed action with flying demon guts and betrayals, check out SEEKER: DEMON KILLERS.

For a dystopian fantasy-scifi with magic abilities and a perfect world in an oligarchy, check out MARCH CITY: LAND OF THE GIFTED and its sequel MARCH CITY: REBELLION OF THE GIFTED.

For magic circles, treason, and genocide, check out RUNE MAGE and its sequel (in the same book) CHAOS MAGE.

Other novellas:

For Asian fantasy and a vengeful fire spirit, check out EMPRESS OF FIRE.

For Asian Scifi with robotics and what makes a human human? check out TECHNO FEVER.

For Regency fantasy with memory weaving gone wrong, check out WEAVE OF SILVER.

Other short stories:

For fantasy, check out ROSES AND DREAMS.

For general fiction, check out TEAR DROPS AND INK.

For horror, check out STUFF OF NIGHTMARES.

If there are any more questions, feel free to post them here and I'll answer them to the best of my abilities.

Thank you again for reading this story; it has truly been a fantastic adventure, and I look forward to developing my future projects with your help and support.

As always, I'm your humble storyteller, Katrin Hollister.

Many thanks, and best wishes to you all, Katrin.