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So, you've made it this far, have you? It takes dedication to find this page hidden deep within the Tagonist Knights Website.
Congratulations!
As a reward, I present to you five new ways to immerse yourself within this novel. Some of it is insightful, other aspects of it is meant to make you laugh and smile. Hopefully, by the time you're done, you'll be eager to explore the book if you haven't already, or take a moment to read through it once again knowing what you do now.
“Where the breeze brushes across the body, a beautiful melody touches our soul, affecting the energy deep within that animates our physical forms.” – Belinti
Say Hello - The Cast of Twin Flame
“When I hear music, I sometimes feel her there with me. It is her song that I yearn to hear.”
Belinti
Dancer
“Sometimes how we connect with someone else can’t be put into words, it is an experience that only the soul can feel.”
Tammy
Flautist
“Bravery is not the absence of fear. It is learning how to overcome what we fear.” – Belinti
Relevant Images
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“I am blessed to have each of you as a part of my life. Although we each travel different paths, we have never lost sight of what binds us together as one family.” - Belinti
Origin Story:
A Different Idea
The original concept was that the story starts out with a man losing his wife to a long term illness. This would later be reflected in the death of the mother of Artemis in how she knew she was dying months before she passed. The man joins the talent competition because his wife was a singer who never fulfilled her dream of being a singer.
He has no singing talent at all, but goes anyway. When he attempts to sing, suddenly he does so beautifully. The spirit of his wife gives him the ability to sing. Eventually people see her spirit with him on stage. This is reflected in the final chapter where the pair are seen together on stage, one being a kind of spiritual light.
The story was too depressing for me to write. I hate tragedy, I don't enjoy writing about tragic events, and starting off a story that way was too painful for me. So, I shelved the idea for years until I discovered the idea of a Twin Flame. Two people from separate parallel worlds existing next to one another and connecting with each other on a spiritual level felt perfect.
I wanted them to be unique and that's when I thought of the sun and the moon. That concept molded their appearance. Also, it was then I had the idea of bringing Gemini, the Tagonist Knight, into the story playing a role in both narratives, in each reality.
By pure coincidence it was my 20th book published at the end of 2020. Twins, Twin Flame, Two, all being themes. I couldn't have planned it better. I loved it.
The Sun and Moon
“There is a feeling within me, with her I am not alone. I have felt her presence, like the light of the moon in the depths of the night.” - Belinti
Easter Eggs and Inspiration
Irish Divinity
Belinti gets his name from Bel, a Irish god of the sun that reflects his Irish heritage.
Incan God
The second half of Belinti's name is Inti, the god of the son of the Incan Indians which reflects his mother's heritage.
The Sun
Belinti is meant to represent the sun. Red hair, golden eyes, bronze skin, energetic, and a powerful presence.
Duel Name
Tammy means "Twin" which hints at the truth of why she is there at the competition.
Eight Sisters
Belinti along with his siblings represent the nine muses from Greek Mythology.
The Luck Child
Beltini mentions his father is the 7th son. The 7th son of the 7th son is the "Luck Child" in Irish folklore.
Inner Glow
On page 12, 990 refers to 1990, the year the episode of Star Trek: The Next generation: Transfigurations first aired. In it, a man glowed with pure energy.
Flute Origins
On page 12, 992 refers to 1992, the year the episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation: The Inner Light first aired. In it, Picard plays a tin whistle.
Unlikely Choice
Tammy plays a tin whistle because I needed a second instrument and I loved the episode "The Inner Light".
Real Life Performer
Antoinette is inspired by Toni Watson, known as Tones and I. She began as an Australian busker.
Sunlight
Antoinette refers to Belinti as "bright and shiny" on page 18, another comparison to the Sun.
Flute Story
The narrative told by Tammy of the man seeing his culture vanish is the plot to the Star Trek: TNG episode: The Inner Light.
Important Name
Nicolaus Copernicus was an astronomer who was the first to place the sun, not the Earth, as the center of the Universe.
Last Name
Carl Sagan was an astronomer who I admire for his teaching about science, both past and present.
Dancing Grandpa
On page 33, Belinti's grandfather doing a jig refers to Grandpa Joe dancing in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Camera Man
The camera man is named after Benjamin Bratt, the voice of Manny, a camera man in the movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Interviewer
Anna is named after Anna Faris who did the voice of Sam Sparks in the movie: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs.
Astrology
Belinti's maternal grandparents were born on May 21 and became engaged on June 21. The astrological sign, Gemini (the twins), is May 21-June21.
Calculations
Elbert is named after Elbert Frank Cox, the first black person in the world to receive a PHD in mathematics.
Perfectionist
Elbert’s last name is honor of Katherine Johnson, who did mathematics for NASA.
Logical Thinking
Elbert Johnson represents the left side of the brain, reading, writing, and mathematics.
Time Travel
The story of Felicty and Christopher told by Tammy is found in the novel: In a Heartbeat.
Starshine
Danica, Hokulani, and Zornitsa are all names that mean "star". Belinti is the sun, another star.
Two by Two
On page 65, the pairing of animals and a large boat is a reference to Noah's Ark.
Artistic
Manal is named after Manal AlDowayan, a contemporary artist from Saudi Arabia
Creative
Manal's last name is in honor of Dia Azzawi, a painter and sculptor from Iraq.
Creative Thinking
Manal Azzawi represents the right side of the brain, creativity and problem solving.
Musician
Janis Nicks is named after Janis Joplin who was a singer and songwriter from the 60s and 70s.
Songwriter
Janis Nicks is named after Stevie Nicks who was a singer and songwriter from the 60s and 70s.
Emotional Aura
Where the first two judges is the mind, Janis represents the soul/spirit of a prson.
Being Themselves
Nico is named after Nico Tortorella, an actor who came out as gender fluid.
Inspiration
Nico's last name comes from Asia Kate Dillon, a non-binary actor.
Get Physical
Where the others represent the mind and soul, Nico represents the body and the physical self.
Native Langauge
The non-English words that Belinti uses are of the Quecha language, a modern version of the language once spoken by the Incan Indians.
Irish Origins
Belinti makes a reference to a leprechaun rather than a genie to hint at heritage with Irish folklore.
Home Sweet Home
I looked up a small Irish town on a map to get an idea of where Belinti grew up. It does exist!
Moonlight
Belinti only feels comfortable at night during a full moon, a representation of Artemis who makes him feel safe with her.
Illumination
Belinti feeling more comfortable surrounded by light continues the theme of him being the Sun.
Warmth
Belinti prefers the warmth and high temperatures, more of him being the Sun.
Temporal Mail
The movie involving time travel and a mailbox is a reference to: The Lakehouse.
Star Sisters
All eight of Beliniti's sisters are names that mean "star" in some form or another, just like he, the sun is a star.
Differences
On page 132, the "night an day" comment is another reference to the pair being the sun and the moon.
Insurance Duck
The joke about the duck selling insurance refers to Aflac Inc., which uses a duck mascot.
Group Singer
Michelle is named after Torine Michelle from Norway.
One of Four
Alan is named after Alan Walker, a British-born Norwegian DJ.
Two of Four
Kenneth is Keneth Nilsen, a Norwegian music producer known as K-391.
Three of Four
Mattias is named after Mattias Braan, a Swedish DJ known as Mangoo.
Four of Four
Martin is named after Martin Tungevaag, a Norwegian artist who goes by his last name.
And now... My Favorite.
Early on I knew that Tammy and Nashota would be the same person, somehow existing in two separate worlds at the same time. What better way to introduce the world to Gemini, Knight of the Rose. She became the second introduction of a Tagonist Knight, the other being Paradox who played an increasingly larger role within the Sunfire Chronicles. Having the opportunity to use the text I created for her for this website and put into one of my novels was an incredible moment for me. It allowed me to explain how this wonderful union between Artemis and Belinti took place and introduced one of the Tagonist Knights.
“I thank you for the blessing you have bestowed upon me with providing me such generosity.” - Belinti
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