Steampunk Symphony
Steampunk Symphony is the name of the saga that Storm Garden resides within. There is one other story set in the world of Skygard currently being edited. Though Storm Garden was written as a standalone tale with the option for a sequel, there are other stories in the Steampunk Symphony landscape. The next manuscript is titled The Sky Below.
While every story in Steampunk Symphony has an underlining steampunk vibe, each tale sports a distinct spin on the genre. Contrasting Storm Garden’s samurai/anime vibe, The Sky Below is uniquely western, following a group of treasure hunters and gunslingers. Other stories include a pirate’s unsavory adventures, a brawler/arena fighter’s journey, and a research expedition into the unknown.
Please feel free to contact Red if you have any questions about this.
Various Details
A literary agent once asked a fun question. If your story was made into a film, who would play the lead characters? It’s a smart inquiry; the reader is given an idea of how the author envisions their characters. Chewing on this, I came up with two likely candidates.
Xenjuro
Dev Patel
Dev Patel is one of my favorite current actors. Starting with Slumdog Millionaire, he’s had a string of high quality films and performances. His amicable presence fits the character of Xenjuro Alverez well.
Verola
Amber Midthunder
A newer actress, her work in the Predator sequel Prey was impressive. I believe she’d capture Verola Remond’s duality with ease.
Character Insights
Below are a few insights on the characters from Storm Garden. Without revealing too much, there is an underlining theme to the story.
Xenjuro Alverez
I always appreciated the idea of the flawed protagonist. Not an anti-hero, rather someone that is amicable but struggles with a number of issues. Xenjuro’s best days as an agent are behind him. Thanks to the goodwill he’s generated over the years (and a bit of luck), he’s managed to stay afloat. This hasn’t stopped him from developing survivor’s guilt, or PTSD from his years in the field. His anxiety comes to a head after he’s mauled by Witzger. The saying goes ‘misery loves company’, something I’ve not always found true. The sad reality is that many people suffer in silence. This is where we find Xenjuro.
Verola cleared her throat. A familiar voice rang out. “Where did it really get you?”
The question staggered him. The answer ran deeper than Witzger. “I am … not sturdy.” Another word and he’d be sick.
Verola Remond
Verola represents crumbling duality. Though she’s struggled to fit in, defiance lurks within her. Contrasting Xenjuro’s ability to conceal his ailments, Verola’s mask is stripped away early in Storm Garden. Her scarred exterior now matches the rebellious streak within, causing mistrust and unease in her colleagues.
Located left of the garden’s center, she ensured the weed went undetected. If another popped up, she’d strike it down. This one, however, would remain.
Tirithi
Tirithi resides on a different spectrum than those around her. What she finds interesting, others hardly notice. Traditional emotions confuse her. Due to her inability to connect with others, she’s commonly isolated. Her sense of loneliness causes her to take note of Witzger, who she sees as an outsider like her.
She didn’t engage the other agents. They were all the same; scurrying about with their plots and schemes. Was this all there was? She’d assumed so, until Witzger. He proved different, too. He was interesting.
Mansfield
The sinister and tragic Mansfield represents perhaps Storm Garden’s deepest theme. Lost in a fog of instability, he lashes out with murderous rage. No amount of blood will silence the voices that haunt him.
The man’s mind was stricken with an illness Witzger did not understand.
The Gray Captain
The Gray Captain signifies a combination of elements I respect; strength and clarity. She’s both physically imposing and unflinching in her resolve. Her stature and voice dominate those around her. Not the life she wished for, she found she had a knack for violence where others fell squeamish. What the captain truly wants, she can never have, leaving vengeance as her only outlet.
“For some time I inflicted pain to relieve my own. It’s a bottomless pit, you see, a hole you can never fill.”
Witzger
Witzger is a troll. The idea for him formed from a simple premise; what if the monster became a character? What could have easily been a mindless NPC for the protagonists to overcome (as is traditionally seen), Witzger takes on a life of his own. Not only this; he’s kind of a prick.
Witzger took extra enjoyment tormenting the one they called Xenjuro. All it took was a menacing look or the flash of his fangs, and the man broke out in sweat. How delightful, the little things.
Beyond his antics, he wishes to be free of the pesky humans and their meaningless conflicts. As his history is unveiled, it becomes clear he’s a victim of circumstance.
Writing Style Deep Dive
This section touches on my own writing process. No spoilers, but if you want further insight into how Storm Garden was constructed, here it is.
Prose
I like to employ clear/direct narration that sets the framework for engaging characters and colorful dialog. It’s nice when actions and interactions bring a story to life.
Structure
My stories usually hit the ground running, often opening with an action beat. The first three chapters of Storm Garden establish many of the characters by their actions under duress. The second act develops the mystery, world building, and lore while fleshing out the characters further. The protagonists are tested repeatedly. The third act brings the finale/revelation. Here the cards are revealed in all their visceral glory.
Characters
Traditional archetypes bore me. I like the alternative, the different. Internal struggles and character flaws bring humanity to even the most hardened villain. Not everyone is redeemable, but everyone has a story. Sometimes hinting at it is enough. Other times, a deep dive into the character’s psyche is required. Either way, these traits define my characters’ actions.
Dialog
Perhaps my favorite element of writing. Sharp, poignant, and sometime irreverent dialog can flesh a character out better than any description the narrator provides. Words can cut through a person. Not just what’s said, but how it’s delivered. The Gray Captain is an example of this in Storm Garden. Without lifting a finger, she breaks those around her with observations and insights. Tone, mannerisms, and presence are elements I constantly employ in my writing. Together with engaging dialog, you get everything you need to know about the character.
Description
Description is important in world-building. As the world Storm Garden inhabits is colorful, I like to think I’m painting a picture. Deep reds, vivid blues and greens, razor-sharp blacks, smoky whites. Storm Garden pushes many hard colors (strong contrasts), similar to Dario Argento’s Suspiria. The most descriptive I get is with landscapes and vistas. Regarding the physical description of characters, I like to leave a little to the imagination, only highlighting certain features.
Action
I do love writing action, though it can be challenging to capture a scene without over-explaining it. I rewrote Xenjuro and Mansfield’s confrontation in Storm Garden multiple times. Action must capture emotion, or it has little meaning. This combined with certain bone-crushing details creates a visceral and memorable scene.
Perspective/Framing
Multiple POVs are incorporated into Storm Garden to paint a larger world and flesh out certain characters. I like getting into the heads of my villains, and showing relevant interactions beyond the lead POV. Another device I incorporate; the outside perspective. I usually include one chapter from an outsider’s perspective in my multiple POV tales. Not how the central characters interpret they’re viewed, but how the outsider perceives them. This can create an ominous presence, allowing the reader to see the main characters in a different light.
Foreshadowing, Twists, and Callbacks
I love ’em. It’s like writing code for the reader to decipher. Hidden/double meanings and subtle clues are always fun, as long as they’re handled correctly. It doesn’t hurt the story if the reader doesn’t catch them, but certainly deepens it if they do. There are many clues throughout Storm Garden hinting at the larger mystery. Foreshadowing and callbacks can also recontextualize characters and scenes. And who doesn’t love a good twist? Hell, this website is sprinkled with Storm Garden hints.
Lore / World-Building
Lore and world-building are wonderful when integrated properly. As someone who’s enjoyed studying history, I appreciate good lore. Detailing an environment helps with immersion, aka, world-building. These elements can’t overtake the story at hand, but can aid in its intrigue. It also makes tales easier to construct if this framework is conceived beforehand. Lore isn’t always necessary for shorter stories, but can be fun and addicting in larger tales. I had to develop Storm Garden’s history before writing a single chapter. Foundation is important!
Themes
There’s usually a deeper theme in my writing. Whether it’s in books, film, or music, I love allegories and underling concepts. Though Storm Garden has multiple themes, one lurks beneath the rest. I don’t just want to captivate the reader, I want to haunt them.
Additional
All of my stories include at least one dance sequence.
Storm Garden Playlist
If Storm Garden had a soundtrack, this would be it. Many of these songs helped me paint the world of Skygard. While the influences page contains my general inspirations which led me to writing, this playlist is unique to Storm Garden. The following tracks set the atmosphere for a visually striking and dreamlike landscape. Many of the songs are indie/alternative/esoteric.
Track List
ODESZA – La Ciudad
ODESZA – Kusanagi
ODESZA – Bloom
Edward Sharpe & The Magnetic Zeros – Kisses over Babylon
Radiohead – All I Need
Modest Mouse – Wicked Campaign
Kid Cudi – Marijuana
Molly Nilsson – Dinosaur Tears
Gorillaz – Dirty Harry
Gorillaz – Sound Check
Gorillaz – Stop the Dams
Hippo Campus – Warm Glow
Of Monsters and Men – Lakehouse
The Chemical Brothers – Hold Tight London
Radiohead – Pyramid Song
Gorillaz – Hong Kong
Radiohead – You And Whose Army?
Mylo – Emotion 98.6
Björk – All Is Full Of Love
Of Monsters And Men – Yellow Light
The Chemical Brothers – Dream On
Red Husted 
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