THE PSY-CHANGELING SERIES:
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Behind the scenes | FAQ |Character list | Misc
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Deleted scenes
This is the page where we’ll be adding behind-the-scenes material on the Psy-Changeling series. I decided to separate it out as there are possible *spoilers* in there. If you’d like a particular question answered, drop me an email. I'll try to get to all questions that come in (depending on deadlines)!
BEHIND THE SCENES
I've always been fascinated by psychic powers, by the idea that we might have unawakened abilities inside of us. Experiments have shown that humans use only a tiny percentage of their brains. But what if we were suddenly able to access that unused remainder--isn't it possible that abilities now considered paranormal might then become run of the mill?
As a child I simply thought it would be really awesome to be able to read other people's minds. However, as I grew older, the ethical considerations began to loom large. Then I began thinking that maybe I didn't want to be reading everyone's minds. But what if real telepaths had no control over their abilities? What if they couldn't stop?
Then one day in February 2005, it was as if my various thoughts about psychic powers had spent enough time mixing. The idea that came to me was full-blown. And it was deceptively simple: What if the flip side of incredible psychic power was insanity of the worst kind, the kind that drove you to murder? What would you do to survive?
That nightmare question was the beginning of Slave to Sensation. I was so compelled by it that I wrote the complete first draft in three weeks. With each page I wrote, the question became ever more complex, because these people were not just their abilities--they were sentient beings. And they were in an untenable situation.
I'll probably write more on this later, but for now, I'll leave you with this question: Would you choose Silence if you were part of the PsyNet?
FAQ
Research Facts
Fact 1: Panthers are not a species but rather leopards (among others) who have the genes for dark pigmentation. If you look closely at the fur of a panther, you can see the characteristic leopard rosettes below it.
Fact 2: Leopards don't like water but are good swimmers. Jaguars by contrast like the water, even to the extent of living by rivers.
Fact 3: There is some controversy over whether big cats do or don’t purr. After listening to the experts and reading a ton of research material, I decided to take artistic license and go with purring. After all, changelings aren’t exactly like their wild counterparts. They’re human and animal in one. And humans can purr if you stroke them just right *grin*
Fact 4: The VIP Folder, a.k.a. the Series Bible, refers to the folder I have full of stuff about the Psy/Changeling series. I need this because my world has certain rules that have to be followed, as well as a large cast of characters I need to get right. I didn't realize this when I wrote Slave to Sensation, but when I began Visions of Heat, it became obvious. I kept having to flick through StS to check things.
At the simplest level, the bible involves keeping physical descriptions of the characters. I need to know who has what color hair and eyes, their height and any defining characteristics - for example, Lucas's facial markings. (Not that I would ever forget those!)
This stops me making goofs or helps me pick them up when I do. For example in Slave to Sensation, Rina's hair color changed from blonde to brunette, a mistake I picked up during one of the final edits.
However that's not all I have. I have tree diagrams that show the links between characters, both in terms of blood or in terms of Pack/the PsyNet. And, because timing is important in my world, I also have a timeline with people's birthdates and other major events. Events change characters and I need to remember each event, each shift, each point of growth.
All this sounds very organized and technical, and to some extent, it is. I need the information easily accessible and simple. But I don't write the book constantly referring to it. I tend to write my drafts fairly loosely in terms of internal consistency, checking only major factors that might affect the plot. It's during the later edits that I go through and make sure the tiny details are right.
The bible is by no means complete, it's a work in progress - for example, when I write Hawke's story, I'm going to have to go through every book before his and note the passages where he's mentioned, because he's such a strong presence throughout the series - but it's very, very useful. I would recommend doing the extra work to any author writing a series. It will save you time a thousand times over. You might still make mistakes (we're only human after all) but a comprehensive bible helps lower the chances of that happening.
FAQ
1. Will Hawke get his own story?
Yes. But not yet. He's not ready yet. (The fact that I've already written the opening scenes of his book is testament to the sheer strength of his character. Hawke doesn't like to wait! Neither does his heroine come to think of it.)
2. What about Dorian?
Dorian has a very interesting future ahead of him. He will definitely get his own story. And if you read Visions of Heat, there is a tiny reference to what that future "might" hold. Dorian’s book will be book 5 – releasing in September 2008.
3. Will we get to see the humans anytime soon?
Yes!! You’ll get to see them in book 4 – Mine to Possess (February 2008).
4. As requested by some of you, here is a list of commonly used Psy designations. (These are by no means all-inclusive.)
Tk – Telekinesis (some are teleportation-capable, others are not)
Tp – Telepathy
M – Medical
F – Foresight (to be explored more deeply in Visions of Heat )
Ps – Psychometry
5. Is the series open ended or do you have a certain number of books planned?
I don't have the number of books planned but I do have the story arc planned. I know where this series is going, what final "end" I'm heading toward.
6. With Psy/Changeling or Human/Changeling couples, are the offspring always changeling? Or are there exceptions?
Since exceptions to the rule have a way of springing up without warning, I won't say "all" but in the vast, vast majority of cases, a child with a changeling parent will have the ability to shift. This doesn't mean they are fully changeling - their blood is mixed, which leads to all sorts of interesting things.
7. What would a Psy/Human couple have little humans or little psy?
Since the Psy, Changelings and Humans are capable of mating and producing children, it's genetically impossible for a child to be either/or. He or she will be both, though some genes may be dominant, others recessive.
8. Is the idea of skin privileges formal – i.e. are there rules?
No, it is a very private thing. However, there are certain assumptions – ie. that lovers, pack members and mates will have it. However, even then, changelings are careful to listen to body language and find out whether that assumption holds true in their case. Because touch is such an intimate thing, it depends on each individual as to what level and to whom, they will accede the right to skin privileges.
9. Who is Hawke’s heroine?
You know you don’t really want me to answer that. What would be the fun in that? *grin*
10. Soooo…what can you tell me about Kaleb?
My lips are zipped. (No, even chocolate bribes won’t work this time).
11. Will Kit get his own story?
I adore Kit but he’s a bit young yet. That’s not to say I don’t have a story in mind for him. I do. First though, he’s got to grow into his own skin a little more, learn who he is. 12. Have we seen all the Psy designations?
No. There are other designations that I haven’t yet mentioned, simply because those designations haven’t played a part in the stories to date.
13. Will Mercy get her own story?
Yes. I have plans for Mercy, such plans….!
Edited to add: Mercy’s book will be book 6 of the series, after Hostage to Pleasure.
14. Will we get to see any other packs aside from SnowDancer and DarkRiver?
Yes.
15. Is Walker Lauren going to have a book?
I have a story in mind for Walker but whether it will be a full novel or a novella remains to be seen.
16. You have a new series coming out. Does this mean you’re going to stop writing the Psy/Changeling books?
No! I have so many stories left to tell in this world!!
17. Are there any extra bits you can put up from Nate and Tammy’s story in the Enchanted Season anthology?
These are now up on the Deleted Scenes page. 18. Why isn't Judd Lauren linked psychically to the SnowDancers, as Sascha and Faith are to the Web of Stars?
I can’t answer this without giving away a ginormous spoiler, but I do want to say that I did work out the logic of it beforehand. There is a reason behind it, and it will (hopefully) make complete sense when you read it!
19. Will Brenna’s brothers, Andrew and Riley, get their own stories?
I'd like to write their stories, but only if those stories are ready to be told. I’m keeping an eye out for their heroines!
20.
Whose story is in The Magical Christimas Cat anthology?
Zach’s. He was mentioned very briefly (okay, once) in Mine to Possess . I thought hmmm, and hence the short story. I think you guys will like Zach – he’s a very charming cat.
21.
Will Dev and Max play roles in the stories in the future?
Yes. More questions? Send them to me at nalinisinghwrites@gmail.com
CHARACTER LIST
As requested by readers, this is a quick reference list of some of the main and secondary characters in the Psy/Changeling series--people mentioned in either Slave to Sensation or Visions of Heat . I've concentrated on the two changeling packs and the list is absolutely not all-inclusive. Please let me know if you'd like more info!
DarkRiver (Leopard pack)
Alpha: Lucas
Sentinels: Nathan, Clay, Dorian, Mercy & Vaughn (jaguar)
Healer: Tamsyn
Psy members: Sascha Duncan, Faith NightStar
Soldiers (mentioned to date): Rina*, Barker, Jamie, Desiree
Others: Kit* (juvenile), Julian & Roman (Nathan and Tamsyn's children), Ria (Lucas's executive assistant/human)
Non-Pack: Zara (wildcat)
Mated Pairs: Lucas/Sascha, Vaughn/Faith, Tamsyn/Nathan
SnowDancer (Wolf pack)
Alpha: Hawke
Lieutenants (mentioned to date): Indigo, Riley*
Healer: Lara
Soldiers (mentioned to date): Andrew*
Others: Brenna*, The Lauren family - Walker, Judd, Sienna, Toby, Marlee (all Psy) * = siblings
MISC
FUTURE BOOKS
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