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.
“What we create. What we bring into this world. The lives we have experienced. All of which may provide a light in a dark world to guide others towards achieving their dreams.” - Artemis
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
“The only way I will ever emerge from the darkness is to expose my light to the world, and not let it be hidden any longer by a cloak of shadows.”
Artemis
Singer
“Being alone doesn’t mean you’re not loved.”
Nashota
Violinist
“Sometimes what makes us unique isn’t easy to see on the surface. We must hide it from the world and in turn, we ourselves become lost to what we are rather than embracing who we are.” - Manal
Relevant Images
“One should not be defined by what they are. Pigmentation of the skin should not force someone into a specific path.” - Artemis
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 doing so on stage.
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.
“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
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.
New Moon
Artemis begins the story wearing all black to represent the darkness of a new moon.
Hidden Meaning
The name Nashota means "Twin", hinting at the truth of her being at the talent contest.
Why that?
I chose a violin for Nashota because it is my favorite instrument.
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".
Important Dates
On page 11, 909 and 910 refers to 1909 and 1910, the years the Phantom of the Opera was first published as a serial in '09 and as a book in '10.
On Broadway!
On page 11, 986 refers to 1986, the year the Phantom of the Opera musical was first performed.
Passionate Artist
In Chapter 2, the man Nashota is referring to is Logan, from the novel: Eye of the Beholder.
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.
Violin Player
Nashota dancing while playing a violin is inspired by a Lindsey Stirling who does both.
Story Background
Eternal Illumination is a play on the title "The Inner Light", which the song's backstory refers to that TNG episode.
Moon Goddess
Selene is a moon goddess representing the moon itself.
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.
One small step...
Neal Armstrong is the first man to step foot on the moon.
Two of a Kind
Tomasa and Didymus are names that mean "Twin".
Pixar Origins
The story of Nashota's grandparents is based on the opening of the movie "Up".
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!
High Fashion
A bespoke suit from Savile Row is the most expensive men's suits in the world.
Expensive Treasure
A Stradivarius violin is the most expensive violin in the world.
Methuselah
The oldest living plant is the Great Basin bristlecone pine, the tree that Artemis mentions in her story.
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.
Facing Rejection
Lindsey Sterling auditioned on America's Got Talent, facing the same criticism that Nashota does.
Darkness
Artemis feels most comfortable at night, in darkness, symbolic of her being the moon.
Lower Temp
Artemis prefers colder temperatures since the moon comes out at night.
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.
Cosplay
Aaron is named after Aaron Rabe. known for his costume designs as a cosplayer.
Storyteller Quote
On page 118, the quote "When a voice..." is from the novel: Tapestry of the Second Born.
Puzzle Pieces
On page 132, Artemis hints at the symbolism of the four judges: Mind, body, and soul.
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.
“Please don’t say disparaging words about your behavior or yourself. If you are to be both damsel and dragon, I will adorn myself in my armor to save you from your own forked tongue and to protect the gentle soul that I first met.” – Artemis
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