WHEN CHARACTERS ATTACK

Just finished the edits for my new release Bachelor.com, and sent them off to the editor - Yay me! Now onto the next project.


A good friend of mine told me that beginning a new book is easy.  You just stare at the computer screen until beads of blood form on your brow. Seemed logical, so I thought I would try.  Except what happened was that I channeled some on my characters.

Hero: "Hey, you know you left me in a jungle in Africa surrounded by mercenaries, don't you?"

Me: "I've been busy with the holidays."

Hero: "And look what you gave me - dehydration, broken bones, bug bites, not even a fruit cake to quell my hunger.  Nice gifts if you're working with the bad guy.  Hey, are you?"

Me: "You know I have to do that."

Antagonist: "She's very good at springing me on you."

Hero: "Where did he come from?"

Antagonist: "Grimm Protectors, and oh, I have the girl."

Heroine to the hero: "When am I getting rescued?"

Hero: "I'm in Africa. Where are you?"

Heroine: "New York."

Hero to me: "Are my miles points up to date? I'm going to need a plane."

Heroine: "I'm in a basement in New York with Snidely Whiplash. Someone get me out of here."

Antagonist: "It's Lucian Davelos, and it is a very nice basement."

Me: "Wait! You are all not even the same book."

Hero: "We're all in the same head, though, and if you would finish one book before you started another, everything would be fine."

Me: "It doesn't work like that for me. Sometimes I get a flash of brilliance and have to go with it."

Hero: "Like the time I was in a crashing plane one minute, and the next, I'm in stage with a guitar in my hand.

Me: "Relax, you lived didn't you?"

Hero: "I get the feeling that might be only until you get back to the book."

Me: "Maybe. I haven't thought about that much."

All three: "Get us out of here."

Me: "Okay. Stop talking and let me think. Hero pulls semi automatic out of his backpack and cleanly cuts down all the mercenaries. He jumps into one of the jeeps and speeds away to complete his mission in Tanzania."

Hero: "Well all right.  That's much better."


Me:  "Heroine uses the self-defense technique taught to her by her love interest...."

Hero: "I didn't teach her anything. We just met."

Me: "The love interest isn't you."

Heroine: "Good he isn't my type anyway."

Hero: "I resent that. I do believe I am the perfect romance hero - handsome, resourceful, good body with brains to match."

Heroine: "So that's why you were stuck in a jungle for three weeks?"

Hero: "You're in a basement with some guy in a black hat."

Antagonist: "We brilliant anti-heroes rarely wear hats any more."

Me: "May I finish?"

All three:  "By all means."

Me: "Heroine uses the techniques she learned to incapacitate her captor and gets away."

Heroine: "A bit cliché, but I can live with it until you get to the rewrite."

Antagonist: "Wouldn't I have a henchman that would hear her and stop her?"

Me: "Humm, that would be a nice plot point.  I may use that.  Thanks, Lucian,"

Antagonist: "My pleasure."

All three: "So now what?"

Me: "Not sure.  I left a secondary character inside a hidden base in Oregon.  I think I need to find out what happened to him."

Hero: "What? Not another book."

Me: "The start of one."

Hero: "Can we get back to my book?"

Me: "Okay."

Hero: "Wait  that isn't me."

Me: "Sigh.  It is today."








Kathryn Quick is the author of 19 books in contemporary romance, historical romance, urban fantasy with writing partner Patt Milhailoff, and non-fiction.  Her newest series Bachelors Three to be release by the Wild Rose Press begins with Bachelor.com, a geek to chic romantic comedy with life-changing consequences.

The Electric Fences of Life

By

Sandra Wilkins

          Since my last entry on Classic and Cozy, I have typed the final word on the second book in my new series.  Excuse me while I clap my hands with glee and squeal like a little girl on Christmas morning!  I’m sure my fellow authors know the exhilaration of such a feat.  I was able to pull it off again.  I’m not a charlatan after all.  Yippee!

          But, the high is short-lived when I sit down to work on the next story in the series.  I’m a few chapters in and still getting a feel for the new characters—especially the male protagonist.  In my mind, I know what he looks like, yet, I need to know more.  What’s he like?  Does he have a temper or is he mild-mannered?  Funny or serious?

          As I’ve been pondering these details, I came across this quote from humorist and fellow Okie, Will Rogers:  “There are three kinds of men.  The ones that learn by reading.  The few who learn by observation.  The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence for themselves.”  I’ll even be so bold to add there is another type of man.  One who doesn’t even care to acquire more knowledge than he already thinks he possesses. 

          Now, I imagine Mr. Darcy from “Pride and Prejudice” gleaned all his wisdom from thick tomes.  Josh Flynn, the quick-witted carpenter in my last published book, “Gwen’s Honor”, would certainly have studied others around him.  I realize some people learn by doing, but, you know, I sure would hope a person would be smart enough not to get hurt in the process.  And, for those who don’t care to learn…Well, that’s more like villain material to me. 

          So, I’m curious as I stare at the blank pages before me.  What kind of male characters do you like to read about?

             Sandra Wilkins is busy writing another series while home educating her two daughters.  Ada’s Heart, Rose’s Hope and Gwen’s Honor are her first three published wholesome historical romances.  Go to www.sandrawilkins.com to find out more about her and her books.