Character Backstory Relationships

 by Sarah Raplee

I like to do what I call “pre-writing” before beginning a new story. Part of this involves figuring out my main characters’ backstories including their relationships with family members. Those relationships often affect a character’s behavior.

For example, a young woman named Alice who is an identical twin grew up with her sister in the foster care system. She will most likely be closer to her twin than to anyone else. They may have relied on each other more than on the adults in their lives. They may have lived in warm, loving families as well as less-than-ideal families. They may be slow to trust in relationships, but they may also recognize qualities that they want in a life partner, as well as qualities they don’t. There’s also a good chance they are hyper-vigilant around new people.

Now let’s think about Alice Two, the same young woman but she and her twin grew up with loving and supportive parents in a stable home. They may not be so tied-at-the-hip to each other. They may be more independent, but also more naïve than the first set of twins.

Now let’s imagine Alice One goes out to dinner with a guy who begins to set off her creep-o-meter. How would she respond?

• Alice One would have done some in-depth checking on the guy before going out with him. Anything suspicious (criminal record, social media posts, etc.) would have made the date a non-starter.
• My second guess is she would go to the restroom, text her twin—who knows where she is and who she’s with—and ask her to call her in 5 minutes with a fake emergency. After the phone call, Alice One would leave in her own car because there’s no way she’d let him know where she lives.

Alice Two, on the other hand, would be less likely to thoroughly vet the guy. A recommendation or introduction from someone she likes might seem safe enough, especially if he’s a charmer.

• When Alice Two begins to feel uncomfortable, she may try to ignore the feeling. If she fakes an illness, she might let the guy take her home if he insists (big mistake.)
• She might panic and go to the restroom to call her twin or a friend, hiding out until reinforcements arrive.

Every writer develops their own process. For me, pre-writing helps me to avoid re-writing. It helps me make decisions ahead of time that help the story to flow naturally.

If you are a writer, do you do any pre-writing?

If you are a reader, have you ever come across a place in a story where someone reacts in a way that makes no sense for the character?

On a Whim, With No Regrets

 

By Diana McCollum     

 

Ten years ago, my Sister Sarah, one of the blog queens, approached me with an idea her friend, Judith, the other blog queen, and her had of starting a weekly blog. 

Judith, Sarah and Me!

 

The idea seemed interesting. It did take me a while to warm up to the idea. I would have to blog once a week about writing, life or whatever interested me. Not hard at all, right? Besides, I could quit whenever I wanted to. I figured I’d stick with it for one year. And here we are ten years later. And I’ve not regretted my decision to stick with the blog.

 

Judith has now become my friend too. Several of the Generestas have become my friends virtually. Deb I met through an online #Finishthebook group.  Paty Jager I met when I first moved to Bend. I’ve had the pleasure of having lunch or coffee with Paty, off and on through the years.

 

All of the participants write incredible blog posts. I’ve enjoyed reading about books they’ve written or read, about where they live, about their life struggles and what kind of flowers they grow.

 

I wouldn’t trade knowing these ladies for anything in the world. Because of Pippa I’ve read my first Space Sci-Fi romance. Thank you Pippa!

 

People sometimes have regrets because they did or didn’t do something. I have no regrets from joining this blog and being a member for ten years.

 

Here’s to all the ladies who post on the blog, I’m raising my champagne glass, and there are chocolate covered strawberries on the table, enjoy! You are all wonderful! 

 

Shall we strive for the twenty year mark?

 

 

A Truly Blessed Thanksgiving

Hi! I’m Paranormal Romance Author Sarah Raplee.

This Thanksgiving has not turned out the way my husband and I had planned. We looked forward to going over the mountains for a family Thanksgiving at my mother, sister and brother-in-law’s home. My youngest son’s family will be there.  Many nieces and nephews and their children are driving ten or more hours to visit this year. We so wanted to see them!

Unfortunately, my husband had some recent health issues that drained our bank account, so we decided to remain at home this year. We’ll visit over the mountains at Christmastime, but we’ll miss the big family reunion at Thanksgiving. Sniff.

SARAH  RAPLEE

At first I was bummed, but when I looked past my disappointment I realized how incredibly lucky I am. My husband, best friend and hero of forty-four years (on Dec. 4^th) is still with me.

As long as we’re together for Thanksgiving, it will be a lovely holiday. We’ll have a whole day to relax and enjoy each other’s company.

Now that’s something to look forward to!

May your Thanksgiving be as blessed as mine!
~Sarah

Thank you for reading my blog post. I'd love to have you visit my website
www.sarahraplee.com . 

The Crystal Witch--Enjoy!!

              I was fortunate this year to have two short stories published in the anthology "Love & Magick", along with Sarah Raplee(McDermed) and Judith Ashley, my co-authors.            

             "Love & Magick" is a smorgasbord of stories and a good variety of genres. Today I'd like to share the beginning of "The Crystal Witch", my first story in the anthology.

The Crystal Witch 

                                  By Diana McCollum 

                                  Copyright February 2014

October 15, 2012

                The right mixture of violet and blue evening sky laced with bolts of scarlet bouncing off the clouds always brought to mind the evening of her death, or what would have been Hettie’s death had she not escaped.

                Even after ten years living in the small coastal town of Waxing, Massachusetts, a death-sky inspired panic deep in her chest. She took several deep breaths repeating her timeworn mantra.

                “’Tis a frivolous fear, 

                   for naught dangerous be near,

                   Bless this house, bless this store,

                   and bless me ever more.”

Hettie intoned the mantra three times.

She put a match to bundled sage twigs and walked the boundary of her small gift shop, The Crystal Witch. Climbing the stairs to her apartment, at the door she murmured an opening charm and crossed the threshold then proceeded to walk the length of every wall in every room. The blessed smoke from the stems both cleansed and protected the space. She stopped by the front window. Pulling the lace curtain aside, she looked out at the sky, almost dark now. The shadow of a figure merged with the dark of the woods across the street. Did she see a lonely soul out for an evening walk, or something more sinister? Her stomach clinched; it could be time to pay her debt.

Samhain was fast approaching. The time of year when the veil between worlds was easily accessible, when good or evil could pass through with barely a ripple in the curtain. Hettie was uneasy this time of year, and with good reason; if Declan came for her, it would be during this preternatural time.

________________________________________________

Hope you enjoyed this except from the Anthology 'Love & Magick" available through Windtree Press.

My novella will be available in October 2014.  I tell Ella's story, a witch who is introduced in "The Crystal Witch."

Do you like paranormal books?  If yes, any specific type: Vampire, witches, shape shifters etc?

Heroes and Heroines, Fictional or Real?

by Diana McCollum

There are so many heroes and heroines it’s hard for me to choose just one. 

On that note, I’m picking my little sister

We were not “girlfriend close” when we were young, because of a seven year age difference.  We always shared a bedroom  and by the time I was fourteen years old, she was seven years old and in my “stuff”.

After we grew up, married, and had children we became friends.  Over the years we sometimes lived close to each other, and sometimes thousands of miles apart.  No internet or cell phones back then so communication was letters and Christmas cards

What I admire her for are the things she’s overcome in her life.  I’m not going to touch on all those things as they are personal and medical diagnosis etc. 

I will tell you she is legally blind in one eye a complication of one of the medical conditions she has experienced.  In spite of that she is a dedicated writer.  I admire that.

Now my sister and I are pursuing the same dream, becoming published authors.  She and our friend, Judith, and I are collaborating on an Anthology to be published in January 2014. 

Sister dearest is one of my critique partners.  Believe me she doesn’t sugar coat anything!  We brainstorm well together, we bolster each other up when we’re down, and we listen to each other.

In my personal life she is my savior, my sounding board, and my shoulder to unload on.  Her advice is always sound and on spot.  My life would be so empty if she wasn’t in it.  She is my best friend, and I love her dearly.

I am popping a virtual bottle of Champagne and toasting you, little sister, for all you are and all you do.  

Oh, yeah, here’s some virtual chocolate too!!  There’s enough for everyone!!

Here’s to you Sister extraordinaire, confidant, best friend, and one of our Blog Queens, Sarah Raplee(McDermed)