This
train is moving too fast for me to step off.
Yup, I’m deep into writing a series on a boutique funeral planner
(FADEOUT and SWOON), and I’ll be writing a third book for sure (FAINT). Maybe a fourth. Most of you know by now that I conceived of
the series after planning my own father’s funeral in 2005, striving to
personalize my dad’s sendoff.
To
the concept of boutique funerals, I added light suspense and a complex plot.
Roman is a definitely a keeper.
Introduced a cute, but mysteriously
gifted Scottie named Elwood.
Gave my heroine, Jan Solvang, a
fainting disorder and a few other challenges.
But here’s the thing. The topic is death and funerals, a subject
most of us prefer not to talk about, much less plan for. My character builds her own obituary in her
thirties, for heaven’s sake. She knows
how to look death in the eye without blinking.
Give her a room of grief-stricken people and she’ll turn sadness into
celebration.
My heroine isn’t me. I have not written my obituary, updated my
will, thought about a ‘ceremony,’ or made a decision on the ash/burial
question. I am rendered mute by grief.
Am I alone with this…being
courageous in my writing, but cowardly in my life? Will it take book three or book four to spark
my growth arc?
This writer wants to know: Have you gained courage from your
characters?
“Don't miss
SWOON by Rolynn Anderson! If you like an interesting cast of characters, a heavy
dose of mystery and a lot of fabulous surprises, you'll be happily turning
pages late into the night.ˮ
~ Brenda
Novak, NYT and USA Bestselling Author of WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES
****
Her dead clients
won’t rest in peace.
When
the dead tell tales, Jan Solvang’s first reaction is to RUN! But then she gets caught up in their
mysteries.
Jan’s
a boutique funeral planner, new to risk, hired to bury a missing woman and
memorialize an infamous man. Yet when
she digs for clues to write their eulogies, she disturbs family secrets and
unmasks killers.
Roman
Keller, hard-driving documentary writer, is in complete control of his life and
his stories, until he falls for Jan, a woman who trusts her dog, her
faint-dreams, and her instincts more than she trusts him.
Can
they make the sacrifices necessary to cement their relationship or will the
mayhem caused by the dead ruin their second chance at love?
Web/buy
site for SWOON: http://www.rolynnanderson.com
Kindle:
amzn.to/TH69yy
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/252721
14 comments:
Rolynn - What an interesting post (the images add so much), and an interesting question. I'm not sure I gained courage from my characters, but I have gained my voice by bringing them to life. I HAD to LOL. They were shouting at me to get going.
Good Luck with your series!
Hi, Rolynn,
I think there's a little bit of us in the characters we write. By the way, I have to tell you one more time how much I love that dog!Have fun at "Vintage Vonnie!"
I have all my heroines do things I can't do, like wear stilettos. My knees just won't allow it. They are also more fiesty, saying things or reacting in ways I often think about, but by nature don't force myself to do.
Great post, Rolynn. Wishing you great sales and positive reviews.
You raise an interesting point Marlie. I wonder if our voices (words) change as we write tons of dialogue about arcing characters. More confident; assertive... Vonnie, I must say that the effect your stilettos had on Niko made me think I had to go buy some, but like you, my knees wouldn't be up to the challenge. Have my characters given me more courage in the romance area? I say YES! :-)
Thanks to all for your comments on my series. And Angela, I'm smitten by Elwood, the Scottie, too!
Hi, Rolynn. Love the cover for Swoon. :) I gain much from the process of writing my characters, but I don't think it includes extra courage. When I read or write, I get lost in the characters' worlds. When I put the books down I have to get back to my real life and all of its challenges and pleasures.
Hi Rolynn - I must say that book cover is fantastic. Wow. I love it.
As for me, I avoid all things death related on the personal front. I know I need to deal with them, yet keep putting it off.
I think what I've learned from my characters in general, is to not give up when all seems lost. I like how they suffer through making things right by the end. I hope to do that with my life, too.
Fun blog. Shout out to Vonnie!
There's a two hour radio programme on NPR about end of life decisions that I plan to tune into today.
But to answer your question = of course they give strength. Don't all our 'imaginary friends.' : )
I absolutely am intrigued by your concept, Rolynn. You have quite an imagination to come up with these ideas. Sounds like a very interesting story.
Dawn Marie, you are smart to see reality as challenging and pleasurable as fiction. Lynne, thanks for the compliment on the cover...my DH came up with the idea! I like to hear you're determined to transfer hope and courage from fiction to real life!
Maddie, I'm interested in the NPR program...good tip.
Paisley. Thanks for your compliments on my series concept and my blog question! This is such an intelligent group...I have to keep on my toes :-)
Hi Rolynn! Very interesting post. My characters are an extension of me. I think rather than them giving me courage, I think they give me a voice. I express things in my writing I might not otherwise. Writing is almost therapeutic for me. But like someone else mentioned, I get lost in my writing. There are times when I go back and read something I don't even remember writing.
Terrific cover, BTW. Love the premise!
Joanne, thanks for the compliment on my cover. I think you're right, we do work out issues in our books and the experience can be cathartic. What's more, we can live much more exciting lives on paper than we do in reality. We'll have to ask a Linda Howard or Suzanne Brockman if, after writing all their books, they have upped their game, personally. I think I'll ask; inquiring minds want to know! Rolynn
So pleased to join you at Vintage Vonnie! Thanks for hosting me, my dear. I know you're busy writing...get back to it girl! Rolynn
What a great question, Rolynn! My characters do all kinds of things I can't do, whether it's from fear or lack of ability. But all of my heroines start with a small bit of myself and something I've dreamed of doing. After all, writing fiction is the perfect way to experience excitment and danger through our characters. It's a lot of fun, too.
Post a Comment