Wednesday, July 25, 2007

The Hero of Windwalker by Donna Sundblad



What's his name?

Manelin

Why did you pick that name?

I tend to choose names based on what they mean. Manelin means Prince of Princes. It sounded like an unlikely hero name, and Manelin is a reluctant hero when first thrust into the thick of running from all he has ever known to learn that he is to fulfill his destiny as Arich—Savior of his people. Pieces of ancient prophecies come into play, but it's up to him to make choices. Right or wrong, they carry him deeper into situations that teach him to trust, act and even to love.

Give us a brief description of how he looks.

For Manelin it depends on when in the story we see him. Ethnically, his people are dark-haired and brown-eyed. However, his parents leave him with a man they trust among the Jonnick, a fair race, where he is forced to wash his hair with a purple concoction that lightens his hair and disguises his origins while living among the enemy.

Is there anything unusual about his appearance?

He is the only person within his village with brown eyes. As a child other children tease him calling him dung eyes. He's a loner, but not by choice.

Who does he love? Why?

He loves, Philander, the man he thinks is his grandfather.Does this person love him?Philander loves Manelin as his own. While raising the two-year-old to adulthood, Philader struggles to find the right time to tell the boy of his origins and his place in history.

Tell us about his family. Are they important to him?

Manelin's biological family gave him over to be raised by Philander because they believed the prophecies. It is predicted that his people will be trapped within the cage of ice and the only one to save them is the Arich. Because they believe their son fulfills this position they leave their two-year-old son behind with great distress knowing he will live among a people that hate them but with faith that he will rise to help them in the future.

Where is he from?

Manelin is born on a moonless night within the Stygian kiva. His people don't believe that the Land belongs to the people, but people belong to the Land. So he doesn't have a country—he is of the Land. This concept is one of the divisions between two cultures occupying the Land.

Does his hometown affect his behavior, thoughts and attitude?

Manelin's people's belief that the people do not own the Land is in direct contrast to the Jonnick belief as their villages not only take over the land, but their laws put restrictions on the Stygians to the point of extinction.

What does he want out of life?

Manelin grows up without friends other than his grandfather and uncle and enjoys spending time with his goats as a goatherd. Because of the way people of the Village of Chock treat him due to his brown eyes; he prefers to spend time away from people and with his goats. As a young adult his one desire is to have a real friend.

What's his biggest secret? (Only share if it isn't a spoiler in the story.)

His biggest secret, which he doesn't know until he reaches manhood is that he is not Jonnick, but is of Stygian blood.

Did you write more than one story about him?

No, this is the only one, although I've had requests for a sequel.

How would he describe you?

That's an interesting question. It made me think of him looking at me through the monitor. He'd say that I'm a motherly character that wants the best for him and a world where people learn to accept each other for who they are and to see that every person has worth.It was wonderful to meet him. Thank you for bringing him to meet us.

By the way, do you have a picture of him that you'd like to share?

Not a physical picture. But he's a handsome young man. Dark hair and olive skin. Straight white teeth and a lean muscular build. He's gorgeous, but his low self-esteem doesn't allow him to think so.

For more information, visit Donna's website - http://www.theinkslinger.net/

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