Before I seriously took up fiction writing as a career, I used to work as a project manager in the video game industry. That meant I was in charge of making sure the programmers, game designers, and artists worked together to meet production deadlines. You could say I earned my keep by maximizing motivation. I spent a lot of time learning about individual members of my team in order to figure out what they needed to get their job done.
That experience directly translated into how I crafted the character Guntram, the augur who oversees Ina's apprenticeship as an eyas, in my nature wizard series. I could have made him one of those extreme "wise man on the mountain" types who takes a hands-off approach (like the Oracle does for all the shepherds). Or I could have gone the other way and made him more like a drill sergeant who expects his every command to be obeyed (like Tabitha). Instead, I split the difference and made him a grumpy old man who realizes that despite his age, he still makes mistakes and can learn a trick or two.
Plus, Guntram commands an army of spy ravens. I am jealous of my own fictional creation.
Ravens aside, Guntram's true strength is his mesh of wisdom and humility. Unlike Tabitha, who overcompensates for a mistake in her past by becoming hard and cruel, Guntram is strict but thoughtful in how he handles Ina's magical training. He purposefully guides her without pushing her to become a miniature version of himself. He tries to accept her choices, even when it frustrates him. And when she becomes a full-fledged shepherd, he treats her as an equal, rather than his former underling.
What do you think of Guntram's personality? Is he a good mentor? Do you think he's too hard or too soft on Ina? Send me your thoughts on Guntram or what you would do with a flock of ravens at your command at [email protected].
Kick off Summer Reading
The Adventures of Maggie Parker and The Witches of Pressler Street, two complete series by bestselling authors Martha Carr and Michael Anderle, are on sale for $0.99. That's pennies per book! I've already picked up my own copies of these new-to-me urban fantasy series and put them in my TBR pile.
Shattered is a free short story set in Mel Todd's popular Twisted Luck urban fantasy series. As twins, Cori and Stevie are each other's best friend, but when something happens at the playground, Cori's life is shattered and more than just her heart breaks.
Too Ghoul for School is a preview of the Vega Bloodmire Wicked Witch Mystery Series. Vega Bloodmire has no problem with the label “villainous witch,” but being framed for murder is too much. Vegas must find the true culprit behind this crime in order to save her reputation—and her life.
Until next time, happy adventuring!
-DM Fike
Stories by DM Fike
Available in Ebook, Paperback, and Kindle Unlimited
Magic of Nasci Nature Wizard series
A secret society of wizards live in our national forests, protecting nature against supernatural threats. Ina may command the four elements at her fingertips, but she can’t stop the savage creature leaving corpses along the Oregon coast. Will summoning forbidden lightning defeat her enemy, or will the storm destroy Ina first?
Legends of Llenwald Portal Fantasy Trilogy
As Avalon gets pulled toward a secret world where others covet her legendary powers, she must decide whom to trust—an amnesiac fairy, a shapeshifting trickster, or even her former doctor—all of whom may only be exploiting her for their own gain.
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