Finishing Night Fury: Character Insights and Signature Scents

Celebrating a Completed First Draft and Character Development

The first draft of Night Fury is done! This book. That's all I can say is, this book! I'm still stuck on Luke and Johanna even though I finished the manuscript last week. I love them both so much, and writing them—both separately and as a couple—was a dumbfounding, hilarious, spicy, adventurous journey.

Night Fury is bigger than Night Shade and was actually the first time I wrote a story that was character-driven rather than plot-driven. Not only was that a new experience, but there were so many overall process changes with this book that it was just wild! Still, I'm incredibly happy with how it turned out. I can't wait to get the manuscript back from my editor because that will mean I'm one step closer to getting it into your hands.

Finding the Perfect Scent for Luke

Someone asked me what Luke—the main character of Night Fury—would smell like. To be honest, I wasn't quite sure right away, but then I went looking for colognes and found the perfect one.

This scent is warm and spicy, with hints of mint leaves, orange blossom, and vanilla. I think the name is also fitting for Luke because that boy is quite spicy and passionate. The combination of freshness from the mint with the warmth of vanilla perfectly captures his character's complexity—someone who can be both refreshingly direct and comfortingly warm.

Greg's Signature Scent

Since we're exploring character scents, it's only fair to consider what Greg from Night Shade would wear.

Doesn't this just feel like sophistication? Like the leader of a mafia family who sits at the head seat of the table and runs his whole kingdom? It matches Greg perfectly.

The notes in this cologne—I imagine deep woods, perhaps a hint of leather and amber—reflect Greg's authoritative presence and the depth of his character. Where Luke's scent has elements of brightness, Greg's is all about power and refined control.

Character Development Through the Senses

Developing these sensory details helps me understand my characters on a deeper level. They help me in how I write their presence in a scene, how others react to them, the impression they leave behind, the atmosphere they create just by walking into a room.

And with Night Fury, these seemingly small details help to round out the characters and make them feel more real.

Looking forward to the release of Night Fury? You can check out Night Shade in the meantime here.