Here’s the latest page from my Kendra Kandlestar sketchbook, the place that captures all of my ideas, musings, and inspirations for the final installment in the series.
These are just some my ideas as to what Unger drums might look like. You see, drumming is an important part of the cultural fabric of the Unger tribes—and it will also be a key component of the plot of the book. At one point, the Unger hunters will issue “the thunndrum” for one of the Een characters (I bet you can’t guess which one!). The thunddrum, also known as the “thunder beat,” is the beat the Ungers traditionally play while on the hunt, in pursuit of particularly dangerous prey. And to play the thunddrum means to show no mercy for the target.
I was actually inspired to develop this part of Unger culture after participating in a few drumming circles this past year. It’s a wonderfully liberating activity and while I was playing my traditional African drum (called a djembe), my mind drifted off and I suddenly found myself standing amidst an entire sea of Ungers, banging on their instruments as they prepared to wage war on the Land of Een.
I haven’t written this actual scene yet . . . but I have a feeling it will appear on the page almost exactly as it appeared in my imagination while in the drumming circle. We’ll have to see . . .
Between the Cracks of Here and There 