“K” is for kin

Ugh, I stink at this.

Hey! It is Friday the 13^th!

“K” is for kin. I had a few other good options, but I often talk about the more negative aspects of my story. This one is more positive, so we’re going with it!

Sorek’s parents, aunt, and uncle stood up against the Hul’s tyranny. His cousins are his lifeline; reuniting with them propels him toward his purpose, and they are all instrumental in fighting the Huls’ oppression. That family, truly, is what starts the rebel movement in their nation, and much of the success of it relies on how well they mesh. Tirhakah’s (Sorek’s cousin) mom and stepfather loved him, as did his siblings, and they instilled in him a value for all life, which gave him the foundation for who he is now. Sorek’s siblings are a huge reason he is what he is, though in a darker way, forged through more suffering. Tir’s half-breed group operates as a family, with everyone referring to the others as their brothers and sisters and loving each other sacrificially and unconditionally. The strength of that group comes not through their numbers, but through their commitment to each other through anything.

Ari and Rab are obviously sisters, and their relationship is at the forefront. Their mom is abusive; no father is in the picture. Mas has no family anymore, though they left a deep impression on him. Siserah grew up responsible for his siblings, and that experience led to him becoming a massive control freak. Edaliah’s relationship with her parents is strained, but she has a great bond with her older sister (who is also a rebel, along with both of their husbands). Edaliah’s uncle is the one who starts the rebellion within the actual timeline of book one. Driven by love for his daughter and the desire to protect her from evil, he does things he shouldn’t.

Much of the overarching conflict in the story comes because of conflict and rivalry between two cousins raised as brothers by a man who didn’t know how to love or support either boy. The need for a father’s approval and validation drives many of my characters, my men especially. Most of my antagonists do what they do out of love for their family and a desire to protect them, or because of broken family relationships and unmet needs. My Huls are committed to each other as a family in a sense, hence why they view treason so harshly. People endure great suffering for their siblings, cousins, and adopted family.

Family isn’t just blood. It’s a choice too, a choice of who you will stand beside when everything crashes around you.

I hope to show this through both sides of the conflict.