Looking for some explanations

[mattpricetime]

Hello all, i'm new here. I'm a big Clive Barker fan and i'm looking to write a crossover fanfiction dealing with using some of Clive's characters. While i have read most of his stuff some of them i have not had the pleasure or resources and while some of which the internet has been really helpful, Abarat seems one that i just can't seem to understand a couple of things.

So i'm asking for some help, i don't want to be spoiled on major plot things since i can't wait till i can read them myself but i have some questions i want to ask about some of the characters in general.

My two things i want to ask of right now are:

1. I read that Candy is capable of magic. What kind of magic does she do within the series so far?

2. About Christopher Carrion, everything gives me the same summary. I've seen the paintings and know how he has the tank around his face but everything mentions that those nightmares are used to torture people, but can this be elaborated on?

Do they like come out of his tank and attack people or do they inflict psychological nightmares on people?

Thanks in advance as i can't wait to learn more about Abarat.

[RedStockings]

Hello,

I'm short on time at the moment, so can only answer question one. I don't want to rush an answer to two because Carrion is quite a complicated character, so I will come back to that.

1. Candy is 'full of magic'. In the second book of the series we find out that she has been touched by powerful magic, in the sense that three powerful witches chose her as the host body for Princess Boa's soul. Princess Boa is Christopher Carrion's long ago love intrest who was eaten by a dragon on her wedding day (to another man Finnegan Hob). Some say Carrion sent the dragon but there is no proof, he certainly wasn't happy about it.
Anyway, whether Candy is capable of magic yet no one knows. She has no awareness of any powers, or if she has them she doesn't know how to use them...yet. But at the same time she manages to speak the occasional 'word of power' which I am sure must be coming from Princess Boa, who as I mention above is trapped inside of Candy.

So if you wanted to have Candy use magic, it would be new to her, but would also be coming from her memories... or rather Boa's memories. ... Er, hope that helps.

Please feel free to add to this or amend guys!!

[Abaratian]

I'm at work now without my books to help me, but I'll try to answer question 2 since RedStockings got the first one covered.

In the beginning of Days of Magic Nights of War, we see Carrion feeding his nightmares. Yes, he takes them from the tank. He handles them as though they were physical. The more agitated they get, the brighter their colors glow. Then he releases them and they go to feed and torture or whatever he needs them to do.

Honestly, though, I don't think you should write your fanfiction without rereading the books first. Not only will the books help you with plot, characterization, etc, but they will answer all of these questions for you. People won't give their time and attention to fanfiction that was thrown together without much planning. If you're anxious to start writing, I suggest you go ahead and do scenes that you know you're capable of. Meanwhile, you should be reading the novels in preparation for everything else that is unclear to you. Don't post anything until you've finished reading all the books so you can double check your facts and memories. I don't intend to sound condescending, and I know that no one is perfect. Just advice from one author to another