Treasure of the Celtic Triangle (54 page)

5.    In my novels, I always try to set up an array of characters—good, bad, and in between—and put them in situations that pull and tug on their motivations, challenging them with spiritual truth. Then I sit back and watch what each becomes. Fiction, in my opinion, is all about watching characters
grow
. Some characters grow toward God, toward truth, toward goodness, and toward maturity … others grow away from them. When this series began, what did you expect of the various characters? Which ones surprised you? Which were most realistic or unrealistic?

6.    How did you respond to Florilyn and Percy calling off their engagement? When the first book ended, did you think their decision to marry was a little too hasty? Did you see trouble on their horizon? Discuss how marriages might be strengthened if more couples had the humility and courage to honestly assess whether they are moving too quickly.

7.    On the other hand, how did you respond to Gwyneth’s willingness to marry a man her father chose for her? Did you consider her willing attitude realistic? Is her perspective—“I will learn to love him”—an adequate foundation for a good marriage?

8.    Percy was in an awkward position, caught between his promise to his uncle and his desire to protect his aunt from hurt. He was uncomfortable being what he felt was less than truthful, but he saw no other way to achieve both ends than by being vague. Did you feel that he compromised truthfulness in what he told his aunt and his father? If so, how should he have handled it differently?

9.    Discuss Florilyn’s changeability. Did you feel it was realistic that she altered so dramatically from the selfish girl she was before to seemingly becoming a young woman of strength and character … only to then fall prey to Colville’s deceptive charms? What do you consider was the chief cause of the “backsliding” of Florilyn’s attitudes and outlook—Colville’s working division in her mind between herself and those around her, or her own mixed and confused emotions about her relationship with Percy?

10.  Who is the central character in
From Across the Ancient Waters
and
Treasure of the Celtic Triangle
? Whose influence is most pervasive in impacting the other characters? Whom do you want to know more about?

A final word:
We realize most of you will be using these questions in discussion groups and book clubs. However, Judy and I would be most interested for you to share with us your responses to these questions, or any ideas raised by these or other books of mine. We would love to hear from you! We may be reached either through the website
www.FatherOfTheInklings.com
or at: P. O. Box 7003, Eureka, CA 95502.