Jocasta: A Woman in Charge

Most characters in my novels come from Greek mythology. I like the Greek names because they add an essence to the fantasy of the novel. Some characters match their mythology, some are vastly different. Such is the case with the mythology of Jocasta. The literary Jacasta comes from Oedipus Rex, a play most famous for a son who unknowingly marries his mother.

Far from this platform comes my newest character in the second Atlantis book. Zeus citizens strive for two professions: military or the arts. Jocasta’s family valued military honor above all else. Being an only child, she was the only hope her father had of earning such honor to the family name. This compelled her to join the military as a teenager. With keen eyesight, the general of Zeus' army begins grooming her as a sniper, the newest form of weaponry that has made its way onto the battlefield. Her weapon: a sophisticated slingshot that can shoot glass blades.

Stubborn, she refuses to accept a superior status, quickly catching the eye of the president of the country. He places her in charge of an elite army of Immortals with numerous powers. She balances respect and fear by her strong nature and savvy view of politics. She is a soldier above all aspects. But she comes to realize she may not be as free of a thinker as she once thought. And the people she served might not be as honorable as she believed.

I like Jocasta because she is the strongest character I have created. When writing the sequel to The Curse of Atlantis, I wanted a role model. She is not perfect, her imperfections forming the plot of the story. But she strives to be great for her country. She will battle the toughest of men without flinching. She has the surety of herself that I often lack. She is a picture of the type of person I would like to be...maybe without the bloodshed. I hope you all find her just as appealing when the newest in the series arrives!