- Joined
- Jun 10, 2010
- Messages
- 266
One of the thoughts that propelled the book, and in fact gave it the name "Age of Octans," is the notion that these beings are so intelligent and yet live for such a short time. Not just in comparison to humans, but to many other marine creatures of similar complexity.
Consider an evolved octopus with a small school of pet fish around his private chunk of reef. As unintelligent and unthinking as these "guardianfish" are, he knows that they will outlive him, and his offspring, and their offspring. It must be a sobering thought.
The same seas that hold the octopus's ephemeral existence are also home to species of clams and fish that live longer than a century.
By the way, the names would change somewhat?and I cannot guarantee their fates, as the next book is Octans War. But if you don't mind them appearing as extras (the main characters are already in place), I think I can arrange that.
Hmm. Whom would you nominate, and what aspects of their personalities would you like to see captured. Some "extra" characters, so far:
-- A foodseller, something of a restaurant entrepreneur. She's intelligent, traveled, and is one of the good guys.
-- Two law enforcement types, one male and one female--the male is rather full of himself, the female rather more interested in learning (though a bit stand-offish at first).
-- A ... well, "mortician" is the best way to put it. He (and his assistant) prepare bodies for funerals, primarily by binding them and wrapping them in kelp leaves. Rather a formal type, but not a "bad guy."
-- Brother of a Senator, very haughty and imperious, but something of a physical coward. Not so much a villian as a wimp.
-- A person who's essentially a criminal detective; she's stubborn and does not come off looking very good.
-- Various political functionaries, some good, some bad, most simply political.
-- A few brave local folks--peasants, really--who are willing to fight earlier than most see the threat.
-- A couple of guards, on camera for only short periods.
-- A few street entertainers from the poor downtown district.
If you can imagine your little ones as octans, and think of what they might be like, personality-wise, I'll be on the lookout for opportunities. And with any luck, the three more books I've plotted out will get done.
Consider an evolved octopus with a small school of pet fish around his private chunk of reef. As unintelligent and unthinking as these "guardianfish" are, he knows that they will outlive him, and his offspring, and their offspring. It must be a sobering thought.
The same seas that hold the octopus's ephemeral existence are also home to species of clams and fish that live longer than a century.
By the way, the names would change somewhat?and I cannot guarantee their fates, as the next book is Octans War. But if you don't mind them appearing as extras (the main characters are already in place), I think I can arrange that.
Hmm. Whom would you nominate, and what aspects of their personalities would you like to see captured. Some "extra" characters, so far:
-- A foodseller, something of a restaurant entrepreneur. She's intelligent, traveled, and is one of the good guys.
-- Two law enforcement types, one male and one female--the male is rather full of himself, the female rather more interested in learning (though a bit stand-offish at first).
-- A ... well, "mortician" is the best way to put it. He (and his assistant) prepare bodies for funerals, primarily by binding them and wrapping them in kelp leaves. Rather a formal type, but not a "bad guy."
-- Brother of a Senator, very haughty and imperious, but something of a physical coward. Not so much a villian as a wimp.
-- A person who's essentially a criminal detective; she's stubborn and does not come off looking very good.
-- Various political functionaries, some good, some bad, most simply political.
-- A few brave local folks--peasants, really--who are willing to fight earlier than most see the threat.
-- A couple of guards, on camera for only short periods.
-- A few street entertainers from the poor downtown district.
If you can imagine your little ones as octans, and think of what they might be like, personality-wise, I'll be on the lookout for opportunities. And with any luck, the three more books I've plotted out will get done.
. The tank did not get fed much during parts of his absence but he survived on whatever he found in the LR. Then one day, for no obvious reason (after another assumed dead post) he came to the front of the tank and allowed himself to be caught (perhaps all the small live food was consumed). He lived out the rest of his life in a smaller tank where he could be fed daily and survived a normal life span.
