Before I get started, I wanted to thank each of you for being here! Yesterday blew me away with how well this campaign has funded, and we are only in day two! 

In yestersday's update, I had a poll where you guys could vote on which interior character art you wanted me to sketch first. And the winner was Miranda!

Below I will share a little bit about her character and why she is special to both me and the story! But one cannot talk about Miranda without also mentioning the love of her life, Ruthnor. So today's art reveal is a bit of a two-for-one ^_^. 

Now I will be honest with you. I can write epic stories, and I can draw character art to express my visions clearly, but I really struggle to talk about my characters and books >.< I will try my best, but I always joke that it is easier to write 100,000 words about a topic than 500... So, if what I say sounds fragmented and awkward, that's just me trying to fit 100,000 words into 200. 😅 (Also, my editor isn't here to correct my spelling or grammar. 🫣 You get just me.)

So without further adue, meet my fiery mentor and fearsome comic relief, I mean Miranda and Ruthnor!

These two couldn't be more different from each other, but somewhere in a time before the events of Star Found & Star Awakened, these two met and fell in love. One day I might write their own story, but for now they are two very important side-characters.

Without giving away too many spoilers, both of these characters play a key role in the choices my main character, Evie, makes throughout the books.

Miranda is one of my favourite characters, because I see in her the wisdom I wish I listened to in my own life. Whenever she teaches Evie, she is often speaking to me in whatever has happened in my own life at the time of writing. I also love that she is an older, curvy character, that is both confident and a skilled warrior. (Because strong warrior women are my favourite ~ You can thank Xena for that!) 😅⚔️

In Star Found, Miranda has a fairly minor-ish role, but that deepens as we venture into Star Awakened, and her mysterious past is finally revealed. She gets more page time as well as her own portrait in Star Awakened (This one!) She is a character which surprised me with her own story and growth. She was never meant to be such a major part of the story, but, as I wrote the first draft, she grew on me. Here is one of my favourite quotes by Miranda in Star Awakened ^_^

But Miranda doesn't join Evie alone. Her husband, Ruthnor was with her in Star Found. Ruthnor is the character which made me laugh the most. His mannerisms and sense of humor often had me giggling out loud and making my family look at me strangely. He is the lightness to Miranda's knowledge and wisdom.

One of the new art additions to Star Found is the illustration of Ruthnor. I've been told that he is most people's favourite character. And for those who have read Star Found, you have much to look forward to with him in coming books! 

So there you have it. My very poor attempt at describing my characters without spoilers. 😅 But what I lack in words, I hope I make up in portraying them in the art. And you will have to read the books to get to know these two more intimately.

The next thing I wanted to share was stretch goals for this campaign. Usually when I set these up, they are the special features from gold foil, sprayed edges, end papers etc. But I know that I wanted these books to be pretty no matter what. So I already added all those features to the books. Which kind of left me without ideas for stretch goals.

My biggest goal with this campaign is to do a print run, which means a high upfront cost for me to print the books so I can get all these shiny features. But, I still want to reward you guys for supporting my dream. So, as the days progress I will be making several polls to see what you all are most interested in. But in the meantime, I figured that I will use stretch goals as art reveals for the interior illustrations I am drawing for Star Awakened. 

But not all stretch goals are just reveals. 

Leatherbound books are more durable, and I love the way they feel and look with gold foiling.

Another stretch goal will be when we hit $10,000 or 100 backers. All backers will receive a themed sticker or some other small gift! (Physical tiers only*)

And in between art reveals, I will unlock digital art packages. From NSFW art, to wall papers. That way everyone wins! I will make a nice graphic today for the stretch goals and share it with you in the next update! 

Lots of exciting things coming your way! Throughout the campaign I will share all the art, or at least as much as I can (there are some NSFW ones I can't share here, but you can always check them out in my naughty Muse tiers on my Patreon, there is a FREE trial).

For today's poll, you get to vote on whether you prefer Miranda or Ruthnor. And tomorrow you will vote on the next art reveal ^-^

Most of Star Awakened's art is still in the concept phase, so I need a few days to finish illustrating them between sharing. 

So if you have been on the fence about backing, don't miss out! Back today!

Oh, and before I go, did you know you can read a sample of Star Found here?

Until tomorrow! Keep it epic.

Yours in art.

Therena

PS:

Don't forget to back both me and my partner for Booktopia to get these two pins! I have an entry level pin tier which qualifies, and I just added the eBook to that tier (I forgot to do so when I set up the campaign! Oops) But anyone who backs that tier will also get the eBook. So if you are international, or on a tight budget, that is the tier for you!