Character Evolution over a Trilogy

Breakfield and Burkey endeavor to craft dynamic protagonists within their narratives who experience profound transformations as the story progresses.

Regardless of whether a character embodies heroic traits or is fundamentally malevolent, these individuals undergo significant developments that render them complex and engaging figures throughout the unfolding tale. By incorporating realistic flaws, genuine emotions, nuanced dialogue, and well-defined motivations, these characters become relatable and compelling to readers, even when their behaviors may not elicit admiration or affection. Our intricate development using dialogue, scene descriptions, and unique mannerisms allows a deeper exploration of human nature. In turn, we provide an emotional connection that enhances the overall impact of the storytelling experience. We want to introduce you to one character we have spent hours bringing to life for our readers.

Julian Lafleur has two half-brothers, Phillip Pliant and Mateo Hernandez. They grew up with their mothers in different parts of the world: Phillip in California, Mateo in Mexico, and Julian in the Caribbean. The youngest of the three half-brothers evolves into the most ruthless. He is a well-educated man with outstanding business savvy, lifelong connections with island leaders, owner of opulent properties on several islands under numerous aliases, multilingual, and a voracious desire for rare jewels used to trade to increase his wealth. He is fluent in French, English and Spanish. He prefers dressing in well-tailored clothes of the finest fabrics to highlight his gentlemanly persona.

Julian debuted in Enigma Tracer, Book 1 of the Enigma Heirs Trilogy, when Phillip met with him to continue his evil plastics scheme and money laundering via cryptocurrency. Bailey, one of the heroines of Enigma Tracer, was impressed with the suave gentlemen who spoke English with a French accent. He wore a fine linen suit with perfectly manicured nails and trimmed hair. His flirty banter and perfect manners convinced her of his elite status. Julian’s extensive connections to the underbelly of the Caribbean mobs allowed Phillip to extort money in a plastics manufacturing scheme, leverage cryptocurrency, and fulfill human trafficking victims for his other half-brother Mateo.

We strive to make our characters relatable and memorable, especially when they are leading players. Introducing Julian as a successful and debonair person who connected to Phillip somehow was key. Julian’s familiarity with the Caribbean locals made him critical to supporting Phillip’s shady activities even as he was involved in them to a degree. We used the settings and dialogue to shape his personality and magnetism to let readers see him as a well-educated person who appears to have his life together. As he evolves throughout the trilogy, readers gain insights into the multiple dimensions of the man.

Julian returns with a more prominent role in Enigma Forced, Book 2 of the Enigma Heirs Trilogy. Interactions between him and Mateo reveal his backstory and business savvy, exposing a ruthless edge. Various exchanges between these brothers show where each draws their lines not to cross in business while exposing who is more relentless. Readers learn Julian’s business motivations, which reveal a sampling of his strengths, weaknesses, and flaws during interactions with other characters. His extensive connections across multiple islands highlight his wealth with hints at how he finances his desired goals. Additionally, we wanted to depict his vulnerabilities, like peeling back the onion layers makes the stink grow stronger.

In Enigma Jewels, Book 3 of the Enigma Heirs Trilogy, Julian’s character develops and evolves to show the decent, the bad, and the dreadful sides of this complex, multi-dimensional character. The man behaves like a rabbit in several ways, strategically planning multiple escape routes to avoid capture for nearly every imagined scenario. Julian cannot admit mistakes and surrounds himself with trusted individuals for whom he displays his trust and fondness as long as they provide value as an asset rather than a liability.

The goal of character development for Breakfield and Burkey is to create dynamic and transformative protagonists and antagonists who possess realistic flaws, genuine emotions, and well-defined motivations. By crafting these complex characters, regardless of their moral standing, we aim to make them relatable and engaging to readers. Our deep exploration of human nature fosters emotional connections and enhances the storytelling experience. In particular, we strive to introduce multi-dimensional characters like Julian Lafleur, showcasing their strengths, weaknesses, and vulnerabilities throughout our thrillers to leave a lasting impression on readers.

If you have the opportunity to read or listen to this trilogy, we would appreciate your thoughts and comments on our ability to bring these players to life.

The Enigma Heir trilogy by Breakfield & Burkey: