Heart of Bone is a story that’s been rattling around inside my head for the better part of three years. I’ve always been a big fan of tales that let us get deep into the weeds of interpersonal conflict, and I wanted to write a story about what it looks like to heal a broken relationship.
As the story has developed, it’s become about a lot more: revenge, romance, politics, to name but a few. Ari’s a character that has surprised me: she’s got a lot going on inside her head.
But of course, you don’t know her yet! So, let me introduce you to Arianwen “Ari” Valdris, the protagonist of Heart of Bone.
Ari began as a non-player character for an RPG. She was quirky, snarky, and a total dweeb, but my players ended up loving her.
I found that I really enjoyed her particular brand of weirdness, and began to develop her into a proper protagonist. Now, three years later, she’s changed quite a bit: she’s acquired a completely different backstory and arc, and I’ve been able to nail down her tone and motivation much more firmly.
But, of course, I’ve got to save something for the next newsletter. Let’s leave it here, and next week, I’ll introduce you to the current Ari you’ll find in Heart of Bone.
Until next time, dear readers!
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