The Author’s favourite chapters

This is without doubt Stephen’s favourite chapter that he has written.  The General, aka Horatio Hoggrunt Prickleswothy the Third was first introduced in Endingen Mole as a key character that protects and mentors Endingen throughout his adventures.

Whilst writing Endingen Mole, Stephen had already started to plan the General’s Last Hurrah.  Stephen has proudly served in the Royal Air Force and had attended a remembrance parade in London in front of the Royal Family years ago.

Remembrance Day celebrations are extremely close to all of us in particular to serving military people and veterans, so the emotional passing of the General was of upmost importance, ensuring a beautiful send off for our beloved character had to be perfection.

There is a clue in this chapter which will allow readers a clue as to the next book and whether or not the General will feature in some way, shape or form??

Stephen lives with his Partner Jennie and their three border collie dogs in Portessie close to Buckie.  Buckie is a small town in the Northeast of Scotland. It has a very lively harbour with many fishing boats and offshore boats that service the wind turbines in the North Sea.

The name Bogwitch derives from a comment Jennie made regarding her appearance after one particular dog walk in the regular 60 mph winds we get up here.

The Bogwitch also has various dislikes and likes that may, or may not, be attributed to Jennie😂.

There is also lots of history in this part of Scotland that revolves around the infamous witch trials of the 1600s.

So much so, that the two woodpeckers who visit the Bogwitch leave with magical powers and new identities. Now known as Isobel and Gowdie, who incidentally was one of the most famous women to be trialled for witchcraft in Auldearn, Moray.

The name once again was inspired by Jennie, and she takes all of the credit for developing the character after many evenings spent discussing this Sage’s character.

I wanted Gordayah to be very mysterious and a bit of a conundrum, leaving the reader to make up their own minds as to exactly what she was and whether or not she was completely good or a bit on the evil side, or indeed a bit of both.

She certainly made a very spectacular entrance and departure using the Almanac of Ghost, Ghouls and Mythical Creatures as her way of travelling through time, space and dimensions.

If you were to ask Stephen whether Gordayah will return in the third book, he’d say simply, “Maybe or maybe not, but rest assured the magic has only just begun!!”

This chapter is based around a tree in Switzerland where Stephen was living at the time of writing Endingen Mole.  A regular roosting site for the local bats resided in the villages of Lengnau and Endingen.

Stephen has always adored bats and the way they are often seen as both mysterious and foreboding.

The sight of hundreds of roosting bats suddenly opening up their eyes all at once and staring right at little Endingen, must have been terrifying.

We also see them return of the now named Colony, under the leadership of Quildare  in the second book, Bran – White Raven.

Stephen takes the opportunity to expand on the uniqueness of bats, and the importance they have in helping all of our heroes.