(aka Trog Blog) by Ty Rowan

(Part of the Shadowfax Author Series: Writers on Writing)

Decades ago, Trogs were just a silly subplot that tumbled out of my first attempt at writing a novel.

I thought it might be fun to show the perspective of those nameless, disposable “minions,” creatures like goblins and the various orc-types featured in so many epic fantasies, the “dark forces” and one-dimensional “enemies” of human and elf heroes.

I thought … what if there were heroes on the Other Side, too?

In an effort to make them slightly different when compared with Goblins and Orcs, I decided to go with … Trogs.

TROG, n. (Troglodyte; cave-dweller. A short, grey-skinned, cavern-dwelling creature. Also: British Slang for a “brutish, contemptible, or obnoxious person”)

Originally, those silly subplots in my first novel detailed the misadventures of a cunning trog-chief named Zharun and his motley band of friends who were sent on a mission to stop the Human and Elf “Heroes” in the story.

The thing is … the trogs ended up being so much more than I imagined, as important things often do. They’re troglodytes, after all. Right? What could I expect?

But as soon as I wrote the opening scene of their first appearance, I knew something Big was on the horizon. It didn’t take long for me to realize those fun (and goofy) trog-chapters were the best part of my first novel, too good to remain in the background as a silly little subplot in a much larger story.

They needed a story of their own. They demanded it. And thus, the Trog Tales were born.

Just to see how a Trog Story would work on its own, I used the first five trog-chapters straight from my first novel to create a short story (“The Way of Trogs”). It seemed like a perfect introduction to the dangerous and often amusing world of Trogs, showing readers who Zharun and his Team were and what kind of challenges they would face on their mission.

Immediately, they outgrew that short story too.

Although they are rather small creatures when compared to humans, Trogs can be quite determined.

So, I stripped away the Humans and Elves and I wrote a “prequel” that became Book 1 of the Trog Tales: ALONG THE JAGGED EDGE, a tale filled with exciting quests, epic battles, and a whole lot of fun.

In the end, the story of Trogs is a story of believing in yourself and finding a Better Way, a story about friendship and about doing the right thing—even when it seems the entire world is against you. It’s an exploration of what makes good leaders (and bad ones), an exploration of bravery and heroism, grand adventures (and misadventures), and so much more.

Along the way, I hope readers have lots of fun and discover they can always find hope. Because, the thing is … there is more than just a little troglodyte in us all.

Interested in learning more about Trogs?

Grab a copy of TROG TALES: ALONG THE JAGGED EDGE (in ebook or trade paperback).

Join the adventures of Zharun and his brave and lovable band of misfits as they fight for peace in a world that doesn’t seem to understand how important that is.

TROGS: ALONG THE JAGGED EDGE by Ty Rowan

When the young troglodyte Zharun is sent on a secret mission by the Trog-Queen to protect a truce no one else believes in, he gathers a bumbling group of misfits and sets off on a perilous journey to potentially change the world for all trogkind. But will he survive?

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