Hello Roguelings,
It occured to me that I write a monthly substack that dives deeper into the reasons why I write. Why I started writing. Who I am as an author. As a person. Mostly, my substack is a self-reflection that you may or may not find interesting.
But for some reason, I don't share the same posts and reflections here, which seems a bit backward.
So, for those of you who aren't following my substack, I've decided to post my monthly reflections here too. Maybe you will completely ignore them. Or perhaps you'll find a sliver of truth that applies to you in your daily life or writing process.
Either way, thank you for being on this journey with me. Feel free to ignore this if you're not feeling reflection-vibes today.
___
Found Family is not just a trope. It’s a non-negotiable.
It shows up in every book I write, but it’s not why you think.
Orphans and runaways, neighbors and strangers—they’ve become the backbone of family in my stories.
Yes, I write romance in my plot (also a non-negotiable), but what is a main character without the cast they surround themselves with?
Savage North Chronicles, Forgotten Lands, Ruined Lands, Saratoga Falls Love Stories, Surviving Earth Chronicles. The most beloved characters are forged by the people around them, and they aren’t parents and sisters and brothers. They are the misfits and survivors. The broken souls searching for belonging. They are grieving and grasping onto hope.
Only when I really stop to think about it, do I realize why.
Growing up with a highly dysfunctional childhood, my found family is who saved me. They are the ones who stepped in when they didn’t have to. They are the ones who provided for me and supported me and helped me feel normal when I was certain life could get no worse. They showed me what could be and made me feel loved. Feel important.
They gave me a safe place and gave me hope.
Perhaps that’s why I like to push my characters’ boundaries and explore the human condition in dire circumstances?
It’s hard to say for certain, but I know this - I would not be where I am today without them.
I could be writing the apocalypse with the world bursting to flames, or creating a world after life has we know has fallen to pieces. But it’s always the same. And apparently, fantastical Viking stories set in mythological worlds is no different.
Even immortal Viking-esque vampires are not exempt from my compulsive need to build a found family brought together by the most dire circumstances. Even warriors and god-created creatures need people in their lives whom they would ravage the world a thousand times over to protect.
“Touch him, and I’ll gut you myself,” Brunhild growls.
That’s why, beyond each other, Arless, Lucian, Sylas, and Thorne have a hearth mother who would smack them silly if need be. They have warriors and shieldmaidens willing to sacrifice the only thing they have left to give for them—their lives. They have Wildwalkers, a Helhound in a mastiff’s form, and a princess to fight beside them in the great war to come. All of them with something paramount to lose. All of them willing to lose it to fight for one another.
So, if you haven’t started The Darkborn series yet… Perhaps it's time to give them a whirl. Book one, Bloodborn, is free for two days.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0H6BWYHPW
Until next time, Roguelings!
- Linds