Well, folks, we’re down to the wire! These are your last few days to enter the Launch Contest and Prize Giveaway for Orphan’s Song. If you haven’t entered yet, it’s super easy to earn entries, and you don’t want to miss out on a chance to win one of the three awesome prizes! (See the original post here: Orphan’s Song Launch Contest and Prize Giveaway.) In the meantime, I’d like to introduce you to a character who quickly became one of my favorites to write… 
Amos hefted the larger of the two packs and slung it over one shoulder. He took a deep breath, puffing out his chest. “We’ve supplies aplenty, the wind at our backs, and the open road before our feet. What more could a man wish for?” – Orphan’s Song 
Amos McElhenny was a part of the story from the very beginning. Before there was a plot or a problem, the character of the traveling peddler existed somewhere in the back of my brain, complete with his brogue, penchant for imaginative insults, and his stubborn donkey Balaam. Half Waveryder by birth, Amos hails from a little sea-side village called Bryllhyn on the west coast of Leira. A man of many talents, he considers his skill with a dirk and most long range weapons second only to his mastery of the insult. One does not with to engage him in a battle of the tongue. As a traveling peddler, Amos and his pack-donkey Balaam have visited many an inn, eaten at many a tavern, and stopped off at many a small town. He’s a man who’s been everywhere, seen it all, and experienced just about everything there is to experience. So you can hardly blame him for having an over-developed sense of his own rightness and a high regard for his own opinion. But with all the places he’s visited, there’s one inn outside of one small town where he always returns: the Sylvan Swan in Hardale. T’was at the Sylvan Swan that he met his wee lass, Birdie, and t’was there all his troubles began. Again … 
Have you read Orphan’s Song yet? If so, who is your favorite character? Be sure to check out the other Backpage Pass Posts and be watching for more posts in the future: Ky Huntyr, Birdie.
YA Epic Fantasy Author
free short story: Of Shadow and Rust
New Release: Of Sea and Smoke
Heh. Amos sounds pretty awesome . . . I need to read this book so I can figure out who my favorite character is.
I think he's pretty awesome … but that may be just me! He is so much fun to write though. Yes, and once you read it, you'll have to let me know who your favorite is!
This is awesome! I love having a closer look at each of your characters.
Elizabeth
Thanks, Elizabeth! Glad you're enjoying these posts. I think they're super fun to write.
Haha, Amos' insults are certainly imaginative! And he does like to think he's always right… ;)
You don't know the half of it! The man can be a tad insufferable at times. This is why, as much as I adore writing him, I don't know if we would actually get along in real life! I would probably wind up highly insulted!
*pinches thumb and forefinger* Just a wee bit! Haha, I'm not sure I'd get along with him either, honestly! How often is it like that, though? There are just some characters that would be a blast to write or act because they're kind of out there. Whether they'd be easy to deal with in reality or not… Well, that's a whole 'nother question. :D
Amos is my favorite character, hands down.
I like Amos too! :)
Balaam the donkey. That's awesome! xD
BTW, I've been reading (and enjoying) your blog for awhile and haven't gotten around to following. I probably should. :)
Oh, that's a first! No one has picked Balaam before. I like him too. He's got a personality all his own.