Help Unleash the Beast

Unleash the Beast began from a challenge to write a book in a month, which I wouldn’t normally be interested in, but at the time I was in the editing process for another book which had slowed down. I decided to focus primarily on a single character instead of an ensemble cast, and go with first person perspective rather than third. These two changes from my other work were refreshing and inspiring, allowing me to more easily slip into the characters of Unleash the Beast and let them run wild across the pages.

The challenge mutated along the way into a dedicated effort to tell Ozymandias Ramsey’s story, although he had a number of alterations to the body of work throughout the process. By the time he’d taken control and was showing me the path his story was going to take, it became obvious there was a potential for a series. The Coalition of Strangers series takes place within the same time frame as my other books I have slated for development, and some character crossovers are likely to occur throughout the progression of both series.

My style of writing has a number of phases, but once the foundations are laid and I’m ready to dive into giving a chapter life, I rely on my roots as a storyteller and role-player. Like acting, I leave myself off screen and allow a character to be in the moment. There is some direction and a general narrative to the script, but much of the work becomes impromptu, inspired by the character’s own logic, motives, and desires. Ozzy quickly revealed his affinity for passion and desire for a love story, which is naturally endangered by the outside forces already set in motion by the scripted events beyond his control. My proximity to the characters I write throughout the process may at times mean that I bend language to serve my emotional purposes, tossing aside some expectations or rules for improved impact and a deeper connection.

In Unleash the Beast I’ll often invite you into Ozymandias’ mind, as confused and conflicted as it may be. While unique, he still struggles with topics we can all identify with. His desire to love and protect others will come at a cost, and although he may think he sees the danger clearly, the consequences may defy his expectations. Oz considers himself mature and has some experience with meditation, but he tends to avoid the internal conflict that may result from intense self-reflection. The knowledge lurking in his past is entwined with pain and shame like lovers. He’s immersed in the struggle of staying true to himself while being open enough to accept his gradual evolution into someone new. If that change is to happen, he’ll have to defy the fear and loss of his past and trust those he longs to love. Will he be able to overcome himself and be vulnerable in a world that has proven its brutality?