Have you tried writing a book with more characters than a usual story? I did. The Ka, my paranormal Egyptian suspense and Amazon Bestseller is a story you can immerse yourself in and even learn some ancient history of Egypt. The story took four years to research and another four years to write and polish to final draft.
These are the alphabetical character lists which include everyone who appears in the story. The part each plays in the story is provided. An archaeological dig does not happen with one or two main characters, especially when there is fantasy involved. The Ka story is an ancient world unto itself. You’ll find characters you can love; you’ll find a few you’ll detest. What a ride!
Primary Characters
(Appearing through out the Story)
Aaron Ashby – Archaeologist, understudy to Dr. Sterling Withers at California Institute of Archaeology (CIA).
Dakarai – Madu Museum Historian and Curator
Burton Forbes – Director at the CIA, Patron of the Egyptian Archaeological Trust
Gracie Forbes – Burton Forbes’ patient wife
Bebe Hutton – CIA Historian of great renown
Kenneth Hutton – Bebe Hutton’s husband, photographer and disabled Viet Nam veteran
Chione Ini-Herit – Pronounced Chee-own. Student of archaeological studies; idealist visionary whose dreams and paranormal visions lead to the discovery of a tomb and subsequent excavations.
Helen Ini-Herit – Chione’s adoptive mother
Jibade Ini-Herit – Chione’s second adoptive father
Tauret Khnum – The mummy, also known as Tauret-Aten or Tauret-Amon.
Kendra Laker – CIA’s Conservator of Artifacts, lover of limelight
Royce Laker – Wealthy husband of Kendra Laker, owns an accounting firm, and has an agenda all his own.
Masud – Madu Museum Historian and Curator
Ginny McLain – CIA Photographer
Naeem – Madu Museum foreman over laborers under Masud
Randy Osborne – CIA’s Physical Anthropologist, specializing in genetics and biochemistry, and whose insecurities could discredit the CIA team
Parker Philips – Director at the CIA, Patron of the Egyptian Archaeological Trust
Carmelita Philips – Parker Philips’s self-centered wife
Quaashie – Madu Museum Foreman over laborers under Dakarai
Paki Rashad – Inspector for Antiquities Society of Egypt
Clifford Rawlings – CIA’s Career Egyptologist, with a sense of humor
Rita Rawlings – Clifford Rawlings’s devoted wife, former nurse
Tarik – Young Egyptian boy who befriends Chione
Tutankhamon – One of the best-known Pharaohs of the 18th Dynasty
Dr. Sterling Withers – Founder and CEO of California Institute of Archaeology (CIA), Director of the Egyptian Archaeological Trust
Marlowe Withers – Wife of Dr. Sterling Withers, intensely interested in the paranormal
Secondary Characters
(Minor appearances or no speaking parts.)
Amunet – Sorceress
Armed Guard – Questionable group of area police who wear gallibayas, and are nearly indistinguishable from the laborers
Dr. Salib Asim – Egyptian Forensic Pathologist in Cairo specializing in mummies
Bolis – Common term for the official Egyptian Police Force, who wear white uniform tunics over dark trousers
Hadden Bourne – Journalist and Archivist for the London News-Herald
Finn – Norwegian, involved in restoration of a dig site across the Valley
Edmond Hale – Reporter for the San Francisco Sentinel
Kenneth Hutton, Jr. – Bebe and Kenneth Hutton’s estranged son
Irwin – Chinese-American, cook for the CIA team
Dr. Jasper Kent – British medical research scientist based in Cairo
Meskhenet Khnum – Mother of Tauret-Aten, the mummy
Umi Khnum – Pharaoh’s clothier and father of the mummy, Tauret-Aten
Siti – Egyptian woman, servant at the dig site
Carol Stockard – Reporter for the San Francisco Sentinel
Radcliffe Stroud – Photojournalist for the London News-Herald
Terji – Norwegian, Foreman restoring a separate dig site across the Valley
Usi – Dakarai’s cousin
Peter Vimble – British physician in Cairo and Luxor
Yafeu – Egyptian, cook for the CIA team
Elbertina Yago – Gypsy, artifacts procurer, eldest Yago sibling
Emilio Yago – Eldest Yago brother, younger than Elbertina
Claudio Yago – Middle Yago brother
Rogelio Yago – Youngest Yago brother
The Ka book contains a 15 page Glossary at the back that includes translations of Egyptian conversational phrases used in the book. Also found in the Glossary are definitions of the Gods and Goddesses. Mainly, the Glossary explains people, places and things mentioned in the story when their complete understanding is not necessary.
For example, Victor Loret was the person who found a whole cache of royal mummies on March 9, 1898. Loret’s mention in my story is clearly understood, but I put him into the Glossary so readers will have a full understanding of who he is and why he is mentioned. None of the information in the Glossary about him is required in the body of the story.
Also, in my writing reference, Write It Right – Trips for Authors, I include an article on how to name your characters. Notice in my lists that other than family last names, all first names begin with varying letters. It is important not to have two or more closely related characters with names starting with the same letter. Some instances are allowed, like twins with similar names, like John and Jim. Or sisters, like Mary and Marian. However, to provide your reader with clarity as to who is whom, it’s best to differentiate names as much as possible.
A 5-Star Review
When someone understands the story you’ve created, it makes all the work worthwhile. This is the exact review for The Ka from someone who identifies as “Aci” on Amazon.
February 4, 2019
Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase
I love this, as a child and now on to middle age I have an intense love and feeling of knowing Egypt and its mysteries. This tale brings that life to light. Extremely well written and correct. The theories and mysticism are alive from the Ancient world blending seamlessly into today’s age. The theme of magic and reincarnation are presented in a believable way. This shows how love continues through the ages and a mother will do anything for her child. A glimpse of a shimmering world many wish they could experience or possibly go back to again.
High praise for the author, I will never forget this story.
Loved this book. Great post.
Thanks, James. It’s the one that keeps hitting the Bestseller list in Australia.