In this brief tutorial, award-winning traditional and independent author AlTonya Washington discusses the motivation behind creating her memorable characters.

** PUBLISHED-8 CHAPTER EXCERPT ** Lilia Avery knew Eternity Lodge was in no one's budget for a senior week trip, but she decided to take a chance and was pleasantly surprised when the proprietors seemed keen on her idea. The last thing she'd expected, was to meet Fystian Akintunde and have him wipe her mind clear of...well...everything. He was an enigma and he seemed just as unsettled by her. Fystian Akintunde was more than an enigma. The abilities and other special traits possessed by he and his siblings had them all in danger from the moment they were born. Ancient and powerful parties were determined to see the Akintunde quintuplets destroyed. Now, a young woman's fate will unexpectedly intertwine with a clan of immortal siblings and set in motion a chain of events and a centuries' old prophesy will be realized.

Almon Campbell is left with his greatest mystery yet. How was he late to detention? He is convinced that someone is manipulating time to sabotage his good standing in the community. But why? A mysterious young woman and the campus of Laidlaw Academy hold the clues. Almon must redeem himself or risk becoming a delinquent. And as a young man who enjoys summoning demons, he needs all the clout he can get. (Collected in A Pact with Demons Vol. 1: The Spritely Ways of Dark Familiars)

Dedicated to Destiny Rose Texeira Borges, who was always a source of Magic and Light in my life. Justice Montgomery wakes up one day to discover that she is not entirely human. She also learns that she is chosen to be a warrior against the dark supernatural forces that plague the world around her. And if that wasn't bad enough, the weight of the world is quickly thrown onto her inexperienced shoulders. Will she be able to unmask the evils that threaten the people she loves? will she learn what it means to be the Guardian? Will she save the world? Or end it? Images provided by Instagram: olivia_roach and esmeraldaa96