Creating Arion

"Prince Charming ain’t in fashion..."

Skid Row, “Rattlesnake Shake”

Intelligent. Gentle. Elegant. Thoughtful. Compassionate. I set out to create Arion of Iphisia as almost the complete antithesis of the modern man–which is not to be an insult to modern man. I’m also not saying modern men are bereft of these qualities. Arion lives in his era and our current crop of fellows are living in this one. Neither could do as well in the other’s circumstances. Arion is a crafted character, but guys are guys. Am I in the clear yet?

Arion had to represent exquisite fantasy and at the same time be flawed. He’s handsome with a perfect body, but he’s stuck looking like a harlequin. He’s a king with a king’s power, but he’s also saddled with a king’s troubles and responsibility. He loves with his whole being, a state that for the most part causes more pain than pleasure. He’s intelligent and therefore able to understand the world around him, including suffering and madness on a grand scale. Basically, Arion has props and problems, and this is what hopefully makes him more accessible and more likable to the reader.

The three books of Sex and Chaos are Arion’s personal journey, which is happening at the same time he’s fighting to save Iphisia. He will finish as a new character. The transforming power will be love–most primarily his love for Dordei of Amazonia. That’s love, not lust. It doesn’t take reading too far intoThe Curse to see that physical pleasures are no issue in Iphisia. Love is the impetus, love is the motivation, love is the hope.

But is Arion of Iphisia my fantasy lover? Well no, not really. He embodies a lot of qualities I admire. He speaks the words I create and put in his mouth with conviction and eloquence. And in truth, I’m proud of him as a creation and as a character. The world could do for more Arions. That’s all, folks. Arion’s not my fantasy guy. He’s better on two points. He could possibly be someone’s fantasy guy, someone reading out there who can really get into Arion. Maybe Arion will lift someone’s spirits–as a writer, this is my favorite goal. The other point is simply while Arion has not been written as my fantasy, he’s still a character I can be proud of and celebrate.

Arion and I have been through a lot together, and now it’s time to share him with the world.