Sometimes developing a character’s background can lead to unexpected developments. That’s what happen with Lydia.
She started out as a manic anti-Edward. A good foil, but I didn’t have good a grasp of her motivations.
Since writing The Rift was taking longer than anticipated, I ended up having time to work out her backstory. I found inspirations in unexpected.
The first came from The Liberated Haggadah. Not only did it change the four sons to the four children, it added a fifth child. The child who no longer sits at the table.
“This child has been turned away by rejection and disapproval. She is feeling sad and lonely. He is feeling angry and bitter.”
After attending a humanist Passover Seder, I was haunted by the fifth child. What happened? Why can’t the child come home? Who wants her to come home?
At that point, the fifth child became the inspiration for Lydia’s childhood and why she became a vampire.
I also found inspiration in Carrie Newcomer’s music. Especially the song, “Three Women.” While listening to it on a walk, I imagined a critical scene between Lydia and her sister. That’s when I realized the relationship between Lydia and her sister was critical to the story.
After that, Lydia transcended being anti-Edward. She was Miriam, who became the vampire Lydia to escape her trauma. Only to become an outcast because she regained the ability to love.
Miriam’s story ended in Pathways. A Fire in the Shadows is the beginning of Lydia’s story arc. She’ll face new challenges that could lead to her liberation or destruction.
I hope you’ll join me to follow her journey.