How I Write–Could you be friends with your heroine?

Ever pick up a book and think you could be the heroine’s friend? Or maybe that you don’t know how anyone could because you would never put up with her? What about in your own WIPs?

In Hunting the Shadows, the reader meets Amy, but more than that, also Mackenzie, Ajay, Ariadne, and Darilynn. While yes, the heroine is Amy, I consider the other characters just as much a main character. Why? Because they are a family and after this book, Amy isn’t going to simply disappear. She’s going to play just as important roles in all the other subsequent books.

Now, could I be friends with any of them?

Yes. I like to think I’m an easy going person. I can make friends easily. I feel like out of all the characters I write, the one I can connect the most with is Darilynn, followed closely behind by Amy. I think we have similar interests and personality types. Darilynn is a bit of a Jill-of-all-trades. She’s helps out in the science lab (to a point), is into technology, and often helps out teaching. She kind of evolved this way as stories were written. Interest-wise, I think we’d have the most in common so we’d have a lot to talk about.

Amy, she’s more quiet and open. I think our personalities would mix well. I could relate more to her than any other. She’s not kick-ass strong right from page one and I know I definitely am not. She’s willing to give others a chance but when push comes to shove, she’ll shove right back. I grew up lacking a backbone and it wasn’t until I moved out and was in University that it started to grow. I still struggle with this at times, to make my voice heard and I feel like Amy would understand that.

The two characters I probably would have some problems with is Mackenzie and Ariadne. I probably wouldn’t start anything, but they are so headstrong that we would probably clash at times, especially if I didn’t think a decision they were making is right.

What about you? Have you read any books where you connected to the heroine and know you could be friends? If so, who?

Want to see how other writers respond to these questions? Check out these sites: Danie Ford, Emma G. Delaney, Kimberly Farris, Kristen Koster

What I’ve learned this week…

…is that when you’re at a past life workshop and everyone in the room is out of it… and the moderator begins to bring you out, and she touches your knee, to open your eyes because otherwise people will think you are in a living coma.

Ok so let me explain. I went to a past life workshop. I’m always interested in things like that (I won’t get into my beliefs, this isn’t the place to do so), so four of us decided we wanted to go and see what it was like. The woman was incredibly interesting. Not just everything she’s done, but just who she is now. I would go back for more workshops.

So we went to this past life one and dimming the lights, putting on some white noise, she told us to close our eyes. It was like meditation, except you’re picturing yourself going down a staircase and in fog… and going toward the moon or sun. Anyway, you’re supposed to see a past life or have some vague idea. I’m not sure what I saw or what I believe. My mind’s all over the place. I’m not sure how long we did it for. Just in the dark, eyes closed… picturing things. But anyway, it went on for a good bit of time.

And then she began to bring us back. Well, me being me (I’d make a GREAT cult follower because of it), kept my eyes closed. Why? She didn’t say TO OPEN OUR EYES. All the way through, it was so instructive. Every step was drawn out for us. So I was waiting for that moment. I heard her snapping her fingers in front of others… felt her touch my knee. Still I kept my eyes closed. I mean come on, I figured that touch was just a sign to be coming back… and I didn’t want to open my eyes and be the only one to. So I kept them closed. She kept on going on about coming out, moving figners, moving shoulders (And I could have sworn I did!). Apparently she was getting worried at this point and everyone was staring my way… and they were all looking for movement that I didn’t give but thought I did. And then she pressed two fingers on my knees… followed by to my shoulders. When she said open your eyes… THEN I opened them. To see everyone watching me.

Embarassed? Yes that would be me. SO in other news… if you’re evern in the same situation, open your eyes.

RWA Conference- Part 1

I’ve been debating how to go about this, not because it’s difficult by any means, but because of the vast information that came out of this. It was crazy. I’ll say that right off. It was overwhelming and go-go-go, and OMGAGENTS/EDITORS!, but in a nutshell, it was an experience that I wouldn’t have turned away. It was great and near the end, did not want to leave.

We drove down on the tuesday (July 14). We being Kendal Corbit, Dayna Hart and moi. Kendal and I began our journey tuesday morning at around 9am. Leaving hedgie with her husband, we packed up the car and headed out to pick up Dayna (stopping first to grab breakfast at Tim Hortons). It was a two hour drive or so when we got to Dayna’s home and met her adorable children and husband.

After one small detour (ok we took the wrong road and got briefly lost a moment) we were on our way and soon arrived at the border. This was the second time crossing the border for me, and my first experience hadn’t left a dazzling impression, so I wasn’t quite sure what to expect. Would they make us get out of the car? Would they take us separately and interrogate us about where we are going? Would they go through our bags? They did none of this. Nothing but ask us where we were going, for how long, etc. I felt relieved, even moreso when we crossed the bridge and was off through the interstates of New York, stopping in Pennsylvania at Arby’s for lunch.

The drive had an amazing view of the hills and trees. All the way down. It was quite scenic and surprising but then again, we didn’t go through the cities. It was nice and with TomTom directing us, we made it to Washington DC in one piece around 9pm. I’d like to say something eventful happened, but really, it was a smooth drive in which our discussions went all over from grammar to our pitches to what we expected would come out of the conference.

So we get to the Marriot Hotel. It’s huge. Dayna meets up with Crystal and Kendal and I head up to our room. Our room 5-066. We expect to be coming into a double. But oh no, double doors. So we step inside and see a sitting area, plus a bar. This doesn’t include the bedroom that is a bit off to the side with doors to close so that those in the sitting room don’t bother those in the bedroom. It’s huge. Apparently they double booked and our other roomie, Chrissy, managed to get them to upgrade us to a suite for the same price as a double.

The room, was awesome. Granted we didn’t spend a whole lot of time in there except to sleep, but all in all, it was a room that made the whole trip just a bit more comfy. Hungry, Chrissy, Kendal and I went down to check out one of the small restaurants (Harry’s Pub I believe). There, we are eating when all of a sudden a group of women approach and one of the women stops, looks at us, and asks “do I know you?”

At this point, I’m floundering. Um… maybe? The woman looks familiar but unsure, I go with a quizzical look and a “I think so? Not sure.” Oh yeah, I’m so great with my words. I’m not a writer or anything… really. (add sarcasm) pffffffft.

Good thing her brain was working because she then asks if I am on the Divas (Romance Divas if you don’t know). Um… yes! That woman was Diva Lisa or Eden Bradley for those who’ve read her books and although she looked familiar, I have a thing where if I’m not sure, I get this stupid quizzical look and don’t say anything with fear that I’ll put my foot in my mouth. Although I know I look just as stupid. Really.

With her was Christina Cross and Vivienne Westlake and another whose name, I apologize, escapes me. After dinner we all went to the bar, where we met other divas such as Jax and Kristen and Kat…etc.

That first night I didn’t stay there. I went to a friend, Kai,’s house where I met her dogs December and Robin. Take into account that by the time we got there, it was about 1am. Suffice it to say, I still hadn’t prepared my pitch. A pitch I was supposed to deliver on friday. More on that later.