Derek, the Warlock

I see Derek, the warlock in my novel The Vampire's Food Chain, as an unassuming, likable guy who can control the elements and has a deep connection with the Earth.  As far as coloring, he's on the lighter side, either blond or ginger, and while he isn't brooding, he's not happy-go-lucky either.  He takes his job as Shawn's food source seriously, just as seriously as he sees himself as her protector.  He realizes that she's more powerful than he is, but that doesn't bother him.  As far as relationships go, he's not threatened by her power and actually wants to see her become more so.

What do I think Derek looks like?  Well, a Google images search has given me these four candidates, although Paul Bettany, Heath Ledger, and a number of other actors come immediately to mind.

 Derek Candidate #1:

 I love this guy's hair and great blue eyes, but I'm wondering if has the warlock attitude.  Can't tell without more picture.

 Derek Candidate #2:

Love this guy's hair and his torso.  I also like that he looks slightly serious, but not completely so.  He looks like he's got some great warlock moves in him.














Derek Candidate #3:

I'm not sure if this is Todd Lowe or not, but if it is, Lowe would be perfect.  He's got the face, the hair, the eyes, and the build, plus he can play the slightly unfocused, focused character that epitomizes Derek.













Derek Candidate #4:

Again, it's the hair, the eyes, and the general demeanor of this guy who screams Derek to me.  I love that his shirt doesn't quite fit his shoulders, too.  It's such a guy thing.  He'd look great in a wizard's robe.













So I'm wondering which of these guys readers would choose as Derek.  Or if the answer is "none of the above," who they would nominate in their place.

Fun Food Chains

When I Googled "food chain," I got all sorts of hits for children explaining what a food chain is and some offering games that show how food chains work.  Most were pretty bloody, but accurate.

My favorite graphic for food chains, however, is the one on the left from what looks like a school worksheet entitled "Food Chains and Food Webs."  I love the zebras running the opposite way the lions are facing.  Go, zebras!

And just like in my book, the race is on.  Neither will prevail, because to do so would mean the extinction of one of the groups--lions or zebras.  So even though there is a food chain, it's a balanced system, hence the pyramid and not a lopsided weight scale.

Oh, yes, and for those really excited about worksheets, there's even a Food Chain Quiz that one can take at the site.

Speaking of Food Chains

Probably the most knowledgeable person in the world about food chains is my son-in-law Richard Choularton, who is an absolutely amazing person.  He works for the World Food Programme, a part of the United Nations, and is instrumental in getting food distribution to poor areas of Africa.  Previously, he worked for CHF, another organization instrumental in getting food aid to people in need.

Richard isn't a vampire, nor does he want to be associated with them, I'm sure, but he knows much more about sustaining life than any bloodsucker could ever know.

You go, Richard!  The world is a better place because you are in it.