One question I have been asked a lot is related to the main character, Andrew Rivard’s, last name. By now longtime fans of the series have noticed this character has the same last name as me, the author. Which begs the question, why?
Uncertain Destinies began as a story generated by me and a group of friends as we ended our time working with one another. So, as the series started out, all the main characters were actually named after real life people. However, as the series grew over time, and edits, the names were changed to fictional individuals. With two notable exceptions. Rivard being one of them.
“Uncertain Destinies began as a story generated by me and a group of friends as we ended our time working with one another.”
In an effort to maintain a connection to the city of Stillwater, and the surrounding locations, I left the name Rivard in place. I did go back and forth many times, even had an edit where the name was different, but ultimately after some feedback kept it. The last name Rivard is well known in Stillwater, and the surrounding areas. Often times growing up I was asked over and over if I were related to this Rivard or that Rivard. Most of the times I didn’t know for certain, but as my grandfather always said, somewhere in the line we were more than likely related.
With that in mind, for better or worse, the name Rivard carries on into Uncertain Destinies. And as I mentioned before there is another name, the only other which remains intact. Can you guess which one? Stay tuned, I’ll tell you…