Blog Entry #3

The Fortana Chronicles begin and end with Amelia Bell. She was the first character I envisioned, and I decided very early in the creative process that this series exists to tell her story. My main goal with Amelia was to create a character that younger readers could relate to and see as a positive role model. But if you haven’t read any of my stories and you’re not familiar with this world, you may be wondering just who Amelia Bell is? Allow me to shed a little bit of light on the main protagonist of The Fortana Chronicles.

When we first meet Amelia in The Starlight Crystal, she is a nineteen year old apprentice at the Fortana Mages’ Guild. The only child of woodcarver Richard Bell and his wife Colette, Amelia never knew a life without the love and support of her devoted parents and was sheltered from most of the evil and darkness in the world. In early childhood she showed an affinity for healing and protection magic and amazed her family and friends with displays of power far beyond most children her age. This potential brought her to the attention of Gregory Sliverwing, the Master of the local Mages’ Guild. She was admitted to the Guild at the age of sixteen, the earliest age permitted for entry.

Master Gregory took a personal interest in her training, and brought her under his wing as his prized pupil. This extra attention benefitted her greatly, allowing her to study various schools of magic and become well-rounded in her skills. However, this same attention earned her relentless teasing from the other jealous apprentices, who mocked her for her youth and generally shunned her. Her only friend in the Guild was Beatrice Miller, a girl two years her senior who took pity on her and protected her from the others. Together, the two girls buried themselves in magical research and became the most impressive apprentices in the Guild.

Despite her treatment at the hands of the other apprentices, Amelia never lost her adventurous spirit and impulsive nature. The biting remarks created an insecurity and desire to prove herself that drove her to learn as much about magic as possible. These qualities are what lead her to seek out the brooding warrior Gabriel Smith at the beginning of The Starlight Crystal. Unlike the others in the Guild, she is willing to approach and work with Gabriel…something that gives her Master Gregory no shortage of grief. On the surface, Amelia is a bright, bubbly girl who is outgoing and kind. She tends to wear her heart on her sleeve, and is willing to open herself up completely to those she considers her true friends.The combination of confidence in her magical powers and insecurity about her age makes her prone to strong emotional outbursts…something that Gabriel uniquely seems to understand how to handle. Their dynamic is the main driving force behind the adventures of The Fortana Chronicles.

Join me next time for a closer look at Gabriel Smith! Thanks for reading!

Dave