"Legerdemain" and the "Magic" of Storytelling

Each time I sit to write a new story, I develop a concept chart and look over it. I always want to make sure - before I invest time into starting a project - that what I want to say is worth being said. The concepts for Legerdemain can be summed up as follows:

1. Brook and Catie are going to learn how to master their powers, but in order to do that, they are going to have to be exposed to the evils of the world. In this instance, the only way for someone to be able to use their powers is if they understand whether they are using them for good or for evil, and how can one know the difference between the light and darkness if they are not faced with some sort of dire conflict? I say 'dire' because a story wouldn't be worth telling if the conflict were not something major and worth a reader investing her or his time and energy into. If you've read my other works then you know very well that I'm all about Choice & Accountability after given knowledge with which to be tested over in life.

2. Jen wants to live forever. It is something she hasn't brought up with Jake yet, but she will soon. After all, we are only on Ch. 3 so far, but it's been mentioned that she's set to go into labor in about a month. There's a big surprise in the plot waiting to happen (and I don't want to give too much of it away yet, so I won't, but just know it will be something big).

3. There is going to be a lot discussed about the philosophy of Liberty and War. What are the responsibilities of good/righteous leaders and what constitutes the need for war? This is something Carlisle and the Twelve Princes will be debating often. Don't get the wrong idea though; Carlisle does believe in war so long as the enemies are the only ones being targeted. Soon I will post from Edward's POV what Carlisle told him the day after Christmas five and a half years earlier when he showed Carlisle Tanya's lock of hair and confessed what he had done. Carlisle will have a pleasantly refreshing reaction. I can't wait to hear what you all think of it. On this same token, I would like to share a quote: "There have been many 'great' men that have flattered the people who never loved them" (Shakespeare). Leadership ought to be about loving and serving the masses, and not about oppressing them and making ignorant laborers out of them. Enlighten the people and they will cure you. Capture the people and die with them. That's how it goes.

4. Socrates once said, "From the deepest desires often come the strongest hate." When applied to Tanya in this series, this is absolutely true. Remember back in Forthright when she told Edward that she loved him? She honestly believed that she did. She is playing the part of the spurned lover, and they tend to act carelessly and with lack of regard where others' rights are concerned. She will do anything within her power to torture and destroy Edward and Bella's little girls because they represent the union that Bella "stole" from her. Remember, that is what Tanya said the day that Edward and Bella got married- that Bella "stole" him from her.

5. Tanya is just a drop in the water in this third installment. Why would the three nomads bother to bring her back? In a nutshell, she is merely a distraction. They are up to something much more sinister and Tanya's role is to keep them looking to the right while they're preparing Murder on the left, so to speak. She is not the main villain in this story, and in fact, I think the family will be surprised when they realize what is really after them!!

6. Vampires came from men. Men are not more than men can be. The fact is this: human nature touches all who are or ever were humans. How do you combat humans who are inhabited by something evil? How do you break them down and get them to see light in the world? How do you bring out their humanity? Think about that and then answer the question: How do you combat vampires who are inhabited by something evil? How do you break them down and get them to see light in the world? How do you bring out their humanity? The answers for humans and the answer for vampires should be the same, since human nature is arguably the same in all.

7. Legerdemain: This is such an interesting word with intriguing roots. So much history lies in this concept... sleight of hand and trickery wasn't always thought to be evil. In fact, some cultures valued it. Odysseus and Athena are two supreme examples of how disguises and lies can keep one alive and on track. In fact, seeing these two vices as less than virtuous is a modern and western way of thinking about them. So in sum, it is about how one decides to used their 'abilities.' In this story, there will be a lot of magic. People will rise or fall based on the choices they make. Instead of going the modern/post-modern route and having our characters battle with some sort of technology, I've decided to have them battle against ancient concepts, such as legerdemain. Whether modern or ancient, I've determined that what humans fear the most is the evil that other humans are capable of inflicting on them. Why is that? Well, I hope to figure that out as I write this story.

I am so excited to write this third story, and I look forward to sharing it with everyone on fanfic!!

Stephanie