Dearest Author (A Letter) | Teen Ink

Dearest Author (A Letter)

January 10, 2016
By BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.” - Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game


Dearest Author,


So I’d ask you how you’ve been, just as a courtesy, but first off, I’m not much of a courteous character. Second, I’m in a rush. And third, I already know that you’re not doing too great, because you’ve really been venting a lot of your problems on us lately. Good luck with those, and I hope that you get through them, especially the one concerning your tyrannical, misunderstanding parents. I’ll be sure to tell Fiora, the character that you coincidentally gave tyrannical and misunderstanding parents yesterday, that I wrote you. Maybe you two can meet sometime and discuss your issues.


Speaking of issues—I suppose I should get to the meat of all this. I feel obliged to assure you first that I have the utmost respect for you as an artist, and I really do admire your perseverance. You’ve been working at writing our story for years now, and even though you’ve gotten nowhere with it so far, you keep pushing on. Most people would have accepted their total lack of skill and given up, but you’re a real fighter. I salute you.


With all that being said—and I mean this in the best possible way, really—


You’re driving me insane.


Look, it’s nothing personal. It’s just that you’re making everything so much harder than it should be, and it’s starting to take a toll on our lives. Granted, I still haven’t figured you out yet, so I don’t know if you’re one of those writers who loves happy endings and plans to make the good guys win and all the heroes fall in love, but I sincerely hope that you are that kind of writer, because otherwise we are all going to die the way things are going.


Look at the Shadow King, for example. This man has a big black spiky fortress of Doom just squatting there in the Darkened Heights, full of goblins, sorcerers, and demon-beasts that he sends down to attack us, with no apparent strategy to deciding which city to attack besides covering his eyes and smacking his finger onto a map. He always seems to cheat, too, because his forces always manage to show up too fast for us to call in allies—in the first book it took us a week to cross the Tresed Desert on horseback, but in Book Two the Shadow King’s entire army of goblins trudged across it in three days—but even then, authorial cheating aside, we still manage to fight his armies off in huge, devastating battles every time they strike. And yet when someone asks why we don’t just gather our allies, go to him, and end this thing once and for all, they’re always told that we couldn’t possibly assemble the forces to fight the Shadow King’s army yet.


Let me say that again. Every time the Shadow King has attacked us, presumably with the goal of actually winning, we’ve won. But you won’t let us go attack him because we’re somehow all too weak to beat him if we try?


…Do you see why I wonder if you have a grudge against us?And Destiny save you if the reason behind all this is that you’re saving the big battle for the last installment.

 

There are other things too, of course, but they’re probably more personal than anything else, so I’ll try to keep it brief (give me a second to check that the door is locked—I’m about to say something bad about Destrian, and if anyone finds out that I disagree with the Chosen One, they’ll probably boil me alive). I think the biggest problem about him is that I’m not sure he’s exactly ready to become the ruler of the Five Realms, even though the pendant of Oex’athar chose him and everything. I mean, he’s a nice guy and all, and I know he’s basically your baby, so I don’t want to be vulgar about it, but… look, he grew up as a peasant boy. That probably sounds rich coming from the mouth of an assassin girl who hails from the dirtiest hole of a town in Goderach, but at least I know I’m not qualified for the throne. Destrian has no clue. Herding rival nations and traitorous nobles is a whole lot different than herding sheep, but no one ever thinks about that. They just allow him to make big decisions just because he’s the Chosen One and then act all surprised when things go wrong.

 

…And you know, that’s another thing. When he does do stupid things, how is it that I’m the only one who ever notices that it’s stupid? Like the catapult incident. Don’t even get me started on that one. And even then you won’t let me explain anything to him. You just let him go around flashing his pretty eyes at everyone and convincing them to do what he wants just because he’s the protagonist. So I guess what I’m saying is that you’d better watch this story like a hawk, because if you ever turn your back and miss your window to introduce a mysterious rescuer or bend gravity to save his hind end, you’re going to get him killed doing something stupid that he never got the chance to learn was stupid. And trust me, if he does die like that, I will turn my skills on you this time.


Alright, I’m running out of time, so I’ll just get in some final observations. Princess Eleannalanatheia is a decent fighter, but she’s still a spoiled brat, she always needs rescuing, and you keep comparing her eyes to things like cobalt diamond water—which distracts me, especially when I’m trying to find reasons not to throttle her. While I’m at it, we can also all see what you’re doing with Destrian and Eleannalanatheia a mile away, and I am telling you, just don’t. Please. There is no way in the Five Realms that those two are compatible, other than the fact that they’re both breathing and have functioning bodily organs. And besides that, the dwarves Flint and Crag, as much as I love them, have no actual personalities besides getting drunk and swinging large metal objects, the pendant of Oex’athar won’t work at times other than climactic final battles, and Zyrd is obviously a traitor. You keep making me pretend that I don’t know. Quit it.


Ah, just heard the battle horns. I’ll have to leave you here. But listen, before I sign off—I know I’ve been blunt, but I hope you understand that, like I said, it’s not personal. It’s just that it’s our story as much as it is yours, understand? We’d like to have a shot at seeing it through. Trust us a little. We won’t let you down.


On behalf of the Five Realms, I wish you safe travels and good company. And from me: Good luck. For both of us.

 

Your beloved assassin,
 

Thryss


The author's comments:

Fantasy is my favorite genre, but it does have its annoying cliches. Thryss' complaints about some of them echo mine in many areas. No comment on whether or not I ever get as passionate as she does, though...

Anyway, it was fun to think about how an author's bad decisions could affect his or her characters; I make efforts to think of my characters as living, thinking beings, so this was a good (and fun) exercise.


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This article has 17 comments.


on Nov. 29 2017 at 9:43 pm
hAckerley SILVER, Carrollton, Texas
5 articles 0 photos 1 comment

Favorite Quote:
Try to be one of those people on whom nothing is lost. - Henry James

I love the character's voice! This is so nicely written and creative.

on Nov. 29 2017 at 7:30 am
TK_Writes BRONZE, Ballston Lake, New York
2 articles 0 photos 5 comments

Favorite Quote:
"Being optimistic is filing in a cross word puzzle with a pen" -Anonymous

Good job,Thryss has a great voice

on Feb. 17 2016 at 9:14 am
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
“In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it's impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.” - Orson Scott Card, Ender's Game

Ha ha probably more than one might think! Thanks so much!

on Feb. 15 2016 at 7:42 pm
Swim4Him24 SILVER, Clover, South Carolina
5 articles 0 photos 11 comments

Favorite Quote:
Let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.<br /> Galatians 6:9

This is awesome! I laughed the entire way through! I wonder how many other book characters feel this way about their creators... :)

on Feb. 13 2016 at 1:18 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it&#039;s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.&rdquo; - Orson Scott Card, Ender&#039;s Game

Thank you! :D

on Feb. 12 2016 at 8:27 pm
guard-girl GOLD, Clover, South Carolina
10 articles 11 photos 147 comments

Favorite Quote:
&quot;Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not depend on your own understanding. Seek His will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.&quot;<br /> Proverbs 3:5-6

Love it :)

on Jan. 13 2016 at 10:39 am
writer-violist DIAMOND, Jenks, Oklahoma
63 articles 4 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.&rdquo; <br /> ― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

Your welcome! It was fun to read! :) Yeah! I noticed that you were from Broken Arrow. Greetings from Jenks! :)

on Jan. 12 2016 at 8:48 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it&#039;s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.&rdquo; - Orson Scott Card, Ender&#039;s Game

Also, greetings from Broken Arrow! Read on your profile that you're from Jenks.

on Jan. 12 2016 at 8:46 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it&#039;s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.&rdquo; - Orson Scott Card, Ender&#039;s Game

I'm glad you liked it! And yeah, it's not a real book. It's just supposed to sound that way, because Thryss is a character inside the book writing to her author. :)

on Jan. 12 2016 at 4:33 pm
writer-violist DIAMOND, Jenks, Oklahoma
63 articles 4 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside you.&rdquo; <br /> ― Maya Angelou, I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings

This was amazing! I like all the details and the storyline of the letter. I like the personality of the main character because he or sh accurately describes their opinions truthfully. I was a little confused if this was based from a real book or not or went into the perspective of one of the main characters. But great job! :) Please keep writing and God bless! :)

on Jan. 12 2016 at 12:32 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it&#039;s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.&rdquo; - Orson Scott Card, Ender&#039;s Game

I'm glad you enjoyed it :D Thanks for commenting!

--Em-- GOLD said...
on Jan. 12 2016 at 12:01 pm
--Em-- GOLD, Grand Rapids, Michigan
15 articles 0 photos 32 comments
This was really interesting. I think that you creatively put into words many of the frustrations that readers have, only from a different perspective. It was also very funny, great work.

on Jan. 11 2016 at 8:32 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it&#039;s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.&rdquo; - Orson Scott Card, Ender&#039;s Game

Yeah, that name would be a nightmare to engrave into anything...

on Jan. 11 2016 at 8:07 pm
CNBono17 SILVER, Rural, South Carolina
5 articles 0 photos 248 comments

Favorite Quote:
Lego ergo sum (Latin&mdash;I read, therefore, I am)<br /> The pen is mightier than the sword&mdash;unknown<br /> Don&#039;t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity&mdash;1 Timothy 4:12

*Eleannalanatheia. Try spelling that in kindergarten.

on Jan. 11 2016 at 8:07 pm
CNBono17 SILVER, Rural, South Carolina
5 articles 0 photos 248 comments

Favorite Quote:
Lego ergo sum (Latin&mdash;I read, therefore, I am)<br /> The pen is mightier than the sword&mdash;unknown<br /> Don&#039;t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity&mdash;1 Timothy 4:12

Okay; I thought it was made up at first, what with the Shadow King and Princess Elannalanatheia (what were her parents thinking?), but when the names got more specific...idk. :P Still love it!

on Jan. 11 2016 at 7:53 pm
BreeZephyr SILVER, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
7 articles 0 photos 84 comments

Favorite Quote:
&ldquo;In the moment when I truly understand my enemy, understand him well enough to defeat him, then in that very moment I also love him...it&#039;s impossible to really understand somebody, what they want, what they believe, and not love them the way they love themselves.&rdquo; - Orson Scott Card, Ender&#039;s Game

No, it's not an actual book (although I'm flattered you had to ask). It was a compilation of cliches I made up! I'm thrilled that you liked it--thanks for your feedback. In the meantime, I dont know how all those characters feel about you. You'll have to ask them yourself! :)

on Jan. 11 2016 at 6:58 pm
CNBono17 SILVER, Rural, South Carolina
5 articles 0 photos 248 comments

Favorite Quote:
Lego ergo sum (Latin&mdash;I read, therefore, I am)<br /> The pen is mightier than the sword&mdash;unknown<br /> Don&#039;t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity&mdash;1 Timothy 4:12

So, stupid question: is that an actual book, or did you make it up? Okay, stupid questions aside, that had me laughing from start to finish, and made me wonder about a few of my characters...does Seth hate me for having his twin brother try to have him killed and then having the assassins turn around and sell him into slavery instead of killing him? Does Alayna hate me for being the daughter of the rightful king and queen and therefore a target? Does Finn hate me because his mother is Autumn Fairheart, the tyrant's second wife, and she never told him before she died? Does Daniel hate me for making him the tyrant's oldest son when he's a good man? Okay, off of the soapbox now. Point: you did an incredible job with this; it was entertaining and had a very strong point that all fantasy authors should take:) I know I will! God bless!