If you’ve read part of the first draft for ARGENTUM, you know that the book is structured in a chapter and chapter break format. In between the main storyline, you’ll read one of Serafina’s memories.

As part of my revisions, I’m incorporating the memories a little bit more into the story when it’s appropriate. Not every memory is a “useful” one for the plot; and not every memory happens linearly either. Serafina doesn’t remember things in the order in which they happened, but some of the memories she relives first are from her childhood. I wanted to make her amnesia somewhat realistic, even though my rendition isn’t medically accurate. I felt I was able to take a few liberties for a few reasons (outside the fact that this is a work of fiction). First, Serafina isn’t human. (And no, I’m not going to tell you what she is.) Second, the rituals that were performed on Serafina to remove her memories were based on Alchemy. Third, the first attempt didn’t take. (Please note, that I’m not spoiling anything by telling you that. It’s not crucial to the plot…)

As I revise the novel for pacing and add new chapters here and there, I’m also adding in more of Serafina’s memories. The latest one? A homework assignment where she has to critique a poem. I’m finding that adding in little bits and pieces of her “real life” in the Realm is helping to flesh out her character (so to speak). I’ve always enjoyed writing about the little things that make characters more (or less) human; by sharing her lost memories with you I hope you can identify with her character more and be drawn deeper into the story.