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A Time for Thanksgiving

Sarah — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 20:26:58 +0000

This is a time for everyone to reflect on what they have in their lives to be thankful for. Often, in our writing, we struggle through the conflicts with our characters. Since this is the holiday season, I wondered, what do your characters have to be thankful for. And anyone who wants to share good news here as well, may feel free.

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Sarah is writer looking for an agent. She is currently working on novel # 4, editing novels 2 and 3, and querying novel # 1. For more insight to her work, visit: http://legendoftheprotectors.wordpress.com/ or http://legendoftheprotectors.blogspot.com/

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Sarah — Wed, 13 Oct 2010 06:00:07 +0000

Most writers love to read. I’ve noticed through reading, that many characters love to read as well. It must be the book lover in authors.

So my questions to you are: What books do your characters read? Who are their favorite authors? What genre is their favs? What kind of characters do they relate to?

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Sarah — Wed, 29 Sep 2010 06:00:22 +0000

I have found a new love. Indian food. And yes, I mean food from India. I love it. Can’t get enough. While talking to Brenna one day, we started talking about what kind of foods our characters like.

Would my Sam like Indian food? She loves Mexican, hamburgers, and lasagna, but isn’t a huge fan of hot dogs, pretzels, and fish. I think there are some of the Indian foods she’d like better than others.

Andrew would love it all, and very spicy. He loves all things hot.

In the book I’m currently working on, In The Dark, Memphis likes Mac and Cheese, Spaghetti O’s, and pizza, but doesn’t most like pastas. She grew up on the run and ate a lot of Ramon Noodles, so she doesn’t like those at all. She doesn’t eat out much, a quick hamburger here and there, but since she doesn’t date–until she meets Laif–she pretty much eats what her 11 year old son wants. She’s happy with it, since her taste buds haven’t really grown up. I think she’d about gag on most India food, just from looking at it. She’d have a hard time putting it in her mouth. If dared, she would, and I bet she’d love it. Maybe well see.

So, what foods do your characters like? Dislike? Are they allergic to anything?

Play with this and have fun. You might learn something new about those beings running around in your head.

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Sarah — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 06:00:15 +0000

Picture found at www.zorpia.com/rodytvxxx

What is Love?

“Love is a temporary madness. It erupts like an earthquake and then subsides. And when it subsides you have to make a decision. You have to work out whether your roots have become so entwined together that it is inconceivable that you should ever part. Because this is what love is. Love is not breathlessness, it is not excitement, it is not the promulgation of promises of eternal passion. That is just being “in love” which any of us can convince ourselves we are. Love itself is what is left over when being in love has burned away, and this is both an art and a fortunate accident. Your mother and I had it, we had roots that grew towards each other underground, and when all the pretty blossom had fallen from our branches we found that we were one tree and not two.”
-St. Augustine (from the movie Captain Corelli’s Mandolin)

This is the month of love. It’s sometimes simple, sometimes so complicated, it leaves broken hearts and tears.

What made your character fall in love? Were there many things, or was it simple?

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Sarah — Wed, 30 Dec 2009 06:00:48 +0000

All I want for Christmas…

Okay, I want an agent, to be published, and have millions read my work, but this is really about what your characters wanted or received. Even if the holidays don’t happen during the span of time your novel takes place, what would they want for Christmas, Hanuka, or whichever holiday your characters celebrate?

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Marybeth — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:37:24 +0000

My husband wants a dog. I am not what you would call “a dog person”.

I don’t like dogs. Not even a little. They smell bad. They try to lick you. They jump. They bark. The give your legs some pretty awkward hugs, over and over and over and over again. They drool. They are a lot of work! I’m already taking care of three kids and a husband. I really don’t need to add a dog to that.

My kids on the other hand love dogs, as does my husband, so I’m feeling a bit outvoted.

What would your characters do it their significant other brought home a dog they were not expecting? Are they “a dog person”? If not, why? Is it the smell?

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Marybeth is an aspiring novelist currently working on her second novel. For more information visit her website www.marybethsmith.com. She also has a blog Desperately Searching for my Inner Mary Poppins where you can keep up on her moments as mother, wife and writer..

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Sarah — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 06:00:47 +0000

Marybeth mentioned that she likes things complicated in her novels. I happen to agree. If they don’t shed tears, then why would a reader. So the question is this:

What makes your characters cry?

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Joyce — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 08:36:39 +0000

I just got my daughter’s costume. She’s going to be a flower this year. Yes, I waited to the last minute to buy her costume. And yes, the lesson was learned- if you wait until the last minute you’ll get a poor selection of costumes, but you’ll get them at a great price.

What would your MC dress up as for Halloween? What is your MC’s favorite Halloween candy?

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Sarah — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 06:00:41 +0000

picture found at: goofy313g.free.fr

Family History is big now days. People spend much time and effort to trace back their ancestors. Personally, on my dad’s side, we can go back to the 1400′s. On my mother’s Cherokee side, not nearly as far.

How far back can you go on your characters? Do you know their parents or grandparents names? No need to chart back four generations unless it plays into the story, but with a little history, our characters come more alive.

So, do a little soul digging. What are the names of your characters parents, brothers and sisters, and maybe even grandparents?

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Joyce — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 08:38:11 +0000

Sewing is a contact sport. You get hurt (uh…needle through the finger anyone?), you sweat up a storm (those tiny light bulbs are about 1,000 watts), and you end up wanting to break something (usually the bobbin). Oh…and men tend to cringe at the very thought of it.

Yes, sewing is not for wimps. And I am most definitely a wimp.

But I’ve found myself sewing for hours during the past two weeks, making a Quiet Book for my daughter. The balloons look deflated and the ladybug looks squashed and I am quite proud of it. I thought I’d donate my body to research before I ever said that last part.

What has your character created that they are proud of?

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