By Kayla Matt
The strange thing about Legends of Windemere is that it’s an ensemble cast, but seemed to start as a one man show. At least this is how some people have seen it. Luke Callindor is repeatedly pointed at as the main character. Yet, he has kind of been in more of a supporting role or sharing the spotlight for the last 2 books. This has given the other heroes chances to shine and, in some cases, overshadow the young warrior. Personally, I don’t see this as a bad thing because a long series needs a cast of characters to work with instead of one. For example, Book 8 and 9 focus on some characters that haven’t had many chances to shine. This means Luke will slip back into the ranks again.
Not with Curse of the Dark Wind. The next book in the series is focused on Luke Callindor and a major step in his growth as a hero. Something about him will change after this and even his relationships might be subtly altered. I feel like I’m going back to Beginning of a Hero in the way that all the other characters have either subplots, moments to shine, or simply there to work within the events that focus on Luke. This isn’t to say they’re going to be dull and unimportant since there are still some subplots showing up here. Nyx still has issues with what happened at the end of The Compass Key and Delvin is developing something. Fizzle takes a secondary role to Luke here while Sari has the ongoing romantic plotline to contend with. That’s more of a Book 7 thing.
Anyway, I wonder how people will take to this. Is it okay to take a book in a long series to devote to one character’s development after having a few that cleanly divided attention between the cast? I will admit that what happens to Luke involves everyone, so it isn’t like they’re being jerked to the side. It’s just that this is really his tale and comes off as a culmination of everything he has gone through to this point. Maybe I’m just having doubts after a rough week.
(Especially since my laptop nearly died again this morning.)
Legends of Windemere 
I think it’s okay for Luke to return to the forefront. Since he had this role in the beginning (or so it seemed), I think that will help.
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Guess he deserves a few more spotlights from time to time. 🙂
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I think, given that each of the characters has to develop to reach their full potential and perhaps survive the coming battle, then it is essential you give as much space as each character needs and as road to reaching full potential for each main character also helps develop the (or a least chart a route for) remaining characters. Before the Compass Key non of then knew about their temples, or the trauma they (and us readers) would need to endure to learn fully who they were. By devoting a book one character it keeps it clear, and focused, but doesn’t exclude some development of the other heroes.
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Good point. The story is kind of set up for each character to get a focal book. The others will usually be there and have some development in terms of their subplots. A key point of the story is the relationship between the heroes, so one could say the life of one will alter the others.
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Personally, I think it’s not only okay but also a really good idea. It may be a bit of a risk, as you could lose a reader or two, but I don’t think it’s a very big risk. If people are that far into the series, they’re attached to your characters and should welcome the opportunity to get to know some of the others better. JMO.
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I was wondering about losing readers. I don’t think it will be that bad, but I have a feeling I lose readers with every volume. Long series tend to get a lot of that because people expect a quicker payoff or didn’t realize how long it was going to be. Thankfully, this is the longest series I’m going to write.
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I still remember your discussion in the interview you had last week about the name Luke. Just because Star Wars uses Luke as a character name means no one else can. I still find that funny!
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It is pretty silly when you think about it. Imagine what the world would be like if you couldn’t reuse a name. All the characters we would lose.
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I have yet to hear someone use Arnold in a book. Not sure that’s a good thing or a Schwarzenegger thing.
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There’s a couple Arnolds in cartoons and TV shows. Surprised there isn’t one in literature.
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I remember an Arnold in Green Acres, but I think that was a pig. A far cry from a lovable animated character.
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There was a cartoon called ‘Hey, Arnold!’ when I was younger. A lot of Arthurs out there.
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Remember Arnold Horshack from Welcome Back Kotter? It may be way before your time. He had a funny way of saying his last name. It was a nasal honk. Funny.
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Just a year too young for that one, but I remember seeing a few clips that involved Travolta. I’m really surprised there isn’t a superhero with the name Arnold.
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Actually, didn’t Arnold Schwahdfhivmdighsohger play Turbo Man in Jingle All the Way? Not his real name, but there is a connection there.
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He did. Not sure if we count that.
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