C.G. Williams shares details about the creation of Penthesilia in the
book The Wrath of Aphrodite.
About the Book
Title: The Wrath of Aphrodite Book 1
Genre: Mythic Fiction
Author: C.G. Williams
Book heat level (based on movie ratings): R
In
the last year of the Trojan war, Penthesilia, an Amazon war captain, leads a
contingent of fierce Amazon warriors to Troy, to ally with the great city
against the Achaean forces. She wins victory in her battles with Achaeans and
inspires the Trojan army anew.
Her
battles with Achilles are the greatest of all. Who will be the victor? The
ruthless Achilles or the merciless Penthesilia? Both born under auspicious
signs, both rumored to be the offspring of an immortal, and both matchless
warriors, unrelenting in their bloodlust. Victory is within their reach, all
they have to do is win the fight. Mortals and Immortals watch breathless for
the outcome.
During a brief conversation they insult the Goddess Aphrodite,
mocking her greatest gift – Love. Furious with these two great warriors,
Aphrodite retaliates and sends her son Eros with two arrows imbued with a love
so potent and consuming, it will have only one outcome, destruction.
This
story unfolds in a three Novella series.
Introducing Penthesilia
This interview is designed to tell readers about your hero or heroine.
Name: Penthesilia
Age: 23
Gender: Female
Birthplace: Themiscrya, the capital of the Amazon people.
Profession: War Captain
Ethnicity/Species (if not human): Amazon from Themiscrya, she is
multiracial like most Amazons.
Describe his/her body
build, skin tone, height and weight. Include any unique features such as
dimples, freckles, or scars: Tall, muscular, olive
skin, dark, curly hair, usually pulled back. She has scars from battles and a
distinct three line scar from her buttocks to her thigh from hunting a wild
cat.
Who is the significant
other in your character’s life?
Achilles
Tell us about this
character, please.
Achilles is the Myrmidon war Captain with the Achaean army. He is a
the greatest of the Achaean warriors fighting against Troy and he knows it.
Brash and arrogant, he’s been educated by the great teacher Chyron and knows
that his destiny of glory is to be made on the Trojan shore. What he does not
know is the destiny of his heart is destruction followed by madness, or that his
greatest love is also his greatest enemy.
How does your heroine
dress?
Penthesilia is an Amazon warrior as such she wears armor into battle.
Her hair is usually tightly plaited and secured back as to not make her
vulnerable to an opponent. Her helmet is embossed with horse faces that cover
her cheekbones, the nose of the horses meet over her nose merging with the
protective plate that runs up between her eyes meeting with the skull
protector. Below hinged plates with the horses legs nearly touch beneath her
lips. When temperatures are cooler she wears a leopard skin beneath her armor
to keep warm. She wears greaves, chest armor, thigh protection and carries a
crescent shaped shield. She is armed with sword, spear, Labrys and arrows.
When not on the battlefield Penthesilia dresses in simple well made
tunics. Not someone who requires much adornment except for a few pieces of
prized jewelry here and there like an armlet she took from an enemy.
When she disguises herself to cross into the enemy Achaean camps to do
recognizance, her hair is loose and she wears a scullery maids dress.
If you could only hear
this character’s voice (but not see her) what characteristic would identify
her?
She has a pleasant mellifluous speaking voice and she has a loud,
cutting, strident voice she uses in battle, which is quite distinctive.
How educated is this
character?
Penthesilia is very well educated. She is the daughter of a Queen and
she speaks several languages. She has spent thirty six moon cycles training to
be an elite Amazon Warrior. She knows the history of her people and their
allies and enemies. She is a priestess of the goddess Artemis.
Is the character
book-smart, self-taught, widely-experienced?
Penthesilia is well read and she is constantly learning and
experiencing new things. She has fought with a variety of enemies and always
emerged victorious.
Does she scrape by, live
comfortably, live extravagantly?
Penthesilia has lived by the highest standards of the Amazon court.
She has also struggled to survive in muddy battlefields with only her wits and
prowess to keep her alive.
What is your character’s
viewpoint on wealth?
As an Amazon trade is important to the economics of their people. She
has never wanted for material items, but wealth is something shared amongst
there people and they wish to continue to thrive.
On what special skills
does your character rely?
She is a matchless warrior with nothing to lose. The accuracy of her
aim is blessed by the Immortals and she never misses.
Are any of her skills a
source of pride or embarrassment, and if so, which ones and why?
Because her aim is divine her older sister was killed during a hunt
when she stepped into the path of Penthesilia’s spear. She would give up
everything to have her beloved sister back again.
What kinds of things does
your character always carry (in pockets or purse)?
There are some Amazon fetishes for protection of the Goddess, but she
doesn’t always carry them. She usually has a knife.
What is your character’s
family like?
Penthesilia’s mother is from a line of Amazon royalty. Her grandfather
is Theseus, one of the great Kings of Athens. Penthesilia’s own father was a
gifted warrior who was banished from his kingdom and during his wanderings he
fought against Penthesilia’s mother Queen Otrere. During the truce ritual they
laid together conceiving Penthesilia. She never knew her father but she was
raised as the daughter of a Queen with a tight network of friends and family
about her.
Is she close to family?
She is very close to her family and to her sisters.
Does he have children?
Penthesilia has no children, she had neither the time nor inclination.
Is your character involved in his community?
As a warrior to the realm of Amazon her life is dedicated to the
protection of her community and people.
How well does she know the
neighbors?
She knows the neighboring Kingdoms well, but this is her first visit
to Troy. Once there she immerses herself and learns a great deal about the
Trojan people and the royal family.
Does this character see
morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
She is a very black and white person at the beginning of the story.
But once compromised by the will of Aphrodite, lines become blurred. The only
thing she has to hold true to is her sacrifice to the Goddess Artemis.
How do others perceive
your character based upon looks, and is is this assumption accurate?
The Amazon warriors are intimidating and it is an accurate assumption.
Does your character care
about what others assume about him?
She cares what her fellow Amazons think of her and she cares about
what Hector thinks of her, because she has a deep and abiding respect of him.
If someone from your
character’s past showed up, who would she most want it to be, and why?
She misses her dead sister and would give everything she could to have
her alive and with her.
If someone from your
character’s past showed up, who would she most NOT want it to be, and why?
A king that she vanquished in a terrible war. He was destructive to
the sacred Amazon forest and he killed her lover and fellow Amazon warrior Thalestris.
Can your heroine keep a
secret (why or why not)?
She discovers she is quite good at keeping a secret.
What secrets does your
character know about people around her that she does NOT share?
It is her own secret that she doesn’t want to share.
What inner doubt causes
your character the most difficulty?
She is drawn back to Achilles repeatedly and she knows her tactical
information is complete. It is against her better judgment, she knows it’s
madness yet she returns to him.
What past event causes
your character the most fear?
The death of her sister hangs over her like a pall.
What is your character’s
biggest need at the beginning of the story?
Redemption, cleansing and finally a sacrifice to the Goddess Artemis.
What is your heroine’s
biggest hopes and dreams?
Penthesilia’s greatest hope is to honor her sacrifice to the Goddess
Artemis. As for her dreams she has not allowed herself any thought of the
future other than to kill the enemies of Troy.
What would help your
character face hardship and meet any challenge?
Her dedication to her people as a defender of Amazon is where she
finds her strength. Doing her service in the greater good of her people.
If your character could
make any one thing happen, what would it be?
Bring her sister back.
What is your heroine’s
biggest personal flaw?
She lacks empathy at the beginning from being battle hardened. By the
end of the story she’s found feelings again.
When there is a setback,
what doubt or flaw surfaces?
I think setbacks make her more determined to complete her tasks.
Nothing will deter her from making sacrifice to the Goddess Artemis.
How does your character
handle challenges?
She’s extremely adaptable, her minimal warrior lifestyle does not
leave room for attachment. And then one day she forms a very deep attachment to
someone she should not even be on speaking terms with.
What is your heroine’s
breaking point?
Penthesilia broke when she accidentally killed her sister during a
hunt. From then on she has only a few things in life she really wants.
How does your character
express disappointment?
Penthesilia retreats into solitude.
How emotionally expressive
is your character to others?
Depending on the situation, she can be cold and aloof or if among
friends and loved ones passionate and open.
When (if) she lies or is
upset, what gives him away?
Penthesilia is one cool cookie. She doesn’t have any tells because
that can get you killed on the battlefield. When confronted with her subterfuge
and deception she willingly takes responsibility.
Who in her life has the
power to hurt this character the most and why?
Her fellow Amazons because they are her closest people. Hector,
because she deeply respects him, he is better than this war without honor and
Achilles, if he finds out the truth about her it would be catastrophic.
About Your Writer
Why do you think your
writer chose to write about you?
I think C.G. Williams chose to write about me because she was
fascinated by brief descriptions left by Homer. She wanted to write my story
with complexity and richness of culture that she’d not found in other fictional
writings about Amazons. She loves kick ass women that navigate their way
through difficult terrain.
What do you wish your
writer had not told others about you?
I wish that she’d left private the details of my affair with Achilles.
What other character from
your book do you think your writer should write a book about, and why?
Any one of the Amazon warriors that came with me, for example Ainia
the fastest Amazon to set feet upon this earth. Harmothoe the Amazon who has
the gift of communion with animals and Bremusa who is a granddaughter of
Hercules and a priestess of the Dark Artemis Hecate.
Why do you think your
writer loves to write?
My writer loves to write because it takes her to a place outside this
physical realm. She can travel deep into imagination and once that stream flows
it is epically delightful.
Is there anything you’d
like to say to your writer?
Thanks for telling my side.
Buy This Book
Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-wrath-of-aphrodite-book-one-cg-williams/1117316624?ean=2940045363099
Author Bio
Born
and raised in Alaska, C.G. Williams first started writing a Vampire horror
story in the early 80s on a manual typewriter. From then on C.G. has had fun
creating Science Fiction, Time Travel, historical pieces and a kick ass action
tale of Amazon warriors. C.G. Williams enjoys fencing, Tai Chi, photography,
museums, history, music, biking, hiking and beadwork as it all fuels the
creative process. C.G. lives with partner Chris and two cats.
Author Social Media
C.G. Williams shares details about the creation of Penthesilia in the
