A Walk on the Dark Side- the Bad Guys

In this story I am working on, I have encountered many different types of characters.  Some are in the story to challenge and encourage Afton, others want her dead.

Yep- the bad guys.  No high adventure story is complete without evil.  I have to say that when I began I knew there would be at least one evil guy because he had been in my head for years, but I had no idea how or when the others would show up. 

One writing exercise that I tried was to list the things that scare me.  I thought that would be a good place to start; after all if snakes freak me out (which they do) how many other people feel the same way?  It ended up being a productive writing assignment even if it didn't bring particular characters to mind.  At least it gave me a glimpse of what frightened me and which of those things I could maybe use in the story line (skeletons) and things that just wouldn't work.  (clowns)  I think it also made me more aware of villains in books and movies and I began to pick through what I thought evil could be in my storyline. 

Those of you that know me well, know that I love Star Wars- so of course I took a long look at Darth Vader and the Emperor.  From there I went to the Agent in "The Matrix" the Queen in "Narnia", the Ring Wraith's in "Lord of the Rings", and many other movies.  I thought of books that would give me some good evil people and came up with many more to add to my list.  And with my love of history I had to add some real people including Hitler- and what I ended up with was a huge list of vastly different characters that I had no idea how to process. 

So when my unexpected character came along and I decided to follow him "Down the Rabbit Hole"  I was surprised to meet some of evil while I was working on this writing exercise.  I was not surprised to encounter skeletons or even huge creatures that are over 9 feet tall, but there was one I hadn't counted on. 

While I can't go into great detail about him- I can tell you that he is like a cubic zircona-perfection without flaws-an illusion.  He never fails to freak me out when I encounter him.  One of his songs on my play list is "Hunter" by 30 Seconds to Mars.  It's not so much the words as it is his voice......disturbing and haunting. 

Another thing I have researched is the difference between a psychopath and a sociopath.  I've also done research on Narcissistic disorders....not exactly fun stuff but it has helped to take some of the bad guys from being one dimensional to truly believable characters. 

I was afraid that I would have nightmares about these guys- and I did with one of them- but for the most part they stay in the story and don't invade my life too much.  (I did have a nightmare about tomato soup- but I'll save that for another post!  LOL!) 

I have a quote above my writing desk that says, "Being an author is having angels whisper in your ear- and devils too."  ~Graycie Harmon

I'm learning that the trick is to recognize the difference. 

Books and Me: The Later Years

It was so much fun thinking back to books that made a difference to me in my kid and teen years!  The challenge is how to write about all the books I've read since then?  On the average I would say that I read 70-100 books a year easy.  Take that times 24 and that is a big stack of reading material!  If you factor in all the books I've read to develop units for school....that is a LOT of books! 

So where to start?  First off- I would have to say that I read all types of books and not just one genre.  I've been in a few book clubs that have challenged me to read things I would have not picked up on my own.  I love history, so I have read my share of biographies and two that stand out are bios on Michael J. Fox and Robert E. Lee.  I get teased for loving General Lee- but he was pretty amazing.  Michael's book was honest and gripping- I think I read it in one night. 

I have read all the Harry Potter books, anything by Jodi Piccoult, John Grisham, Liz Curtis Higgs (Christian historical fiction) all of the Percy Jackson books, Nicholas Sparks, well you get the idea.  I have read "Blue Like Jazz", "The Shack" and some things by Joel Osteen.  Ray Bradbury I discovered a few years ago and love him! 

A few years ago a friend of mine suggested that I read a book called "Twilight".  I kept telling her that it was for teens and I just wasn't into vampires.  She kept telling me that I needed to read it and finally on vacation, I read it.  I was surprised at how much I liked the darn thing....that I bought the other ones and read all four of them in about two weeks.  Through my love of these books I have found many other Twilight Moms that have the same passion for books that I do.  They come in many different ages, and personalities but the one thing that bonds us together is our love for the written word! 

I have read many books that would be considered YA  (Young Adult) that have greatly affected me.  I recently finished "The Book Thief" and was stunned by the beauty and simplicity of the story.  Death narrates the tale set during WWII and I know it is one that I will think about for a long time to come.  Another great book is "Hunger Games".  It reminded me so much of "1984" and I was horrified and intrigued at the same time.  I went on to finish the trilogy and have to say that I won't soon forget those three books either! 

A couple of years ago I waded through Ken Follet's "Pillars of the Earth".  I say waded, because the book is full of detail and I truthfully wanted to put the book down and stop reading a thousand times!  But something in me kept reading and I'm glad I did!  "Edgar Sawtelle" was the same way.  Once I got to the end, I was glad I read them both- but I had to make a huge effort to finish them. 

One author that I adored was Michael Crichton.  I loved "Congo" and "Jurassiac Park" but my favorite book by him was "Timeline".  It had everything in it that I love.  The middle ages, swords, science fiction... what's not to love?  (The movie was HORRIBLE by the way!!)  But I loved loved loved the book.  I was devastated when he died.  I have yet to read his last book about pirates- but I bet one day I do! 

I still love horses and loved the book "Seabiscuit".  The move surprised me because unlike "Timeline" it's a pretty decent movie.  I also loved "The Horse Whisperer". 

I also have just discovered "Peter and the Starcatchers" by Dave Barry and if you like Peter Pan at all, you will love this series!  It is so good that I am reading the first one out loud to my class at school!  (Yeah- it's that good!)
Ok- I could go on and on and on.....

Bottom line?
I love books. 
End of story.

What books do you love?  Are there any on my list that you have read? Set aside some time just for you and pick up a great book and get lost in it.....

Books and Me: The Early Years

I have always been a reader.  I learned to read at a young age and one thing I remember about my childhood was that I had a book just about everywhere I went.  I checked books out from the school library and the public library.  At the summer reading programs I read so many books I was usually off the chart (or close to it)  I can't imagine life without books. 

The first book that I ever read to myself was "Go Dog Go!"  I was so proud of myself!  I also remember that I loved the "Billy and Blaze"  books.  If a book had a horse in it- I read it!  As I got older, I read "Black Beauty" "King of the Wind" and "The Black Stallion".  I loved animal books!  Then my 5/6th Reading teacher introduced me to other great books- "Tom Sawyer", "The Black Cauldron" and "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe".  When she read those books out loud, it expanded my imagination and got me hooked on other types of books. 

In Junior High I branched out into books by James Michener, Stephen King (see my blog entry on him) and Agatha Christie.  In 8th grade we had to read "To Kill a Mockingbird" and at the time I did not understand it too well.  Through the years it has become one of my favorites that I try and read every four or five years.  I am always blown away by the fact that I find something new every time I read it.  I have also found myself doing that with Ray Bradbury's "Dandelion Wine".  I also remember reading "Our Town" and it quickly found a special place in my heart.  I still think of Emily's question to the Stage manager about if people really appreciate every day and he answers, "The saints and poets, they do some."  Also read "A Christmas Carol" and that is one of my favs too.

In Senior High I had to read a variety of things ranging from "The Old Man and the Sea" (which I did not like at all) to "1984" which I did like.  I was also introduced to Shakespeare and got hooked on my favorite play.  Take a guess.....

When I ask people to guess most people say "Midsummer Night's Dream" (which I do love) or "Romeo and Juliet"  but neither of those are my favorite. 

It's "Hamlet".  Yep- the horribly tragic story where pretty much everybody dies.  It's dark and dramatic and I love it!  (I hear that there is another movie verison coming out soon so I suppose I will have to check that out. )

I also remember reading "The Diary of Anne Frank" and the effect that it had on me.  It's one of the books that got me hooked on history.  After that book I wanted to know more about the Jewish Holocaust and one of my favorite teachers, Mr. Largo, gave me a list of books that I pretty much devoured!  It's still one of my favorite times in history and I am so glad that Stephen Spielberg and others have recorded the stories of so many who were involved in the Holocaust. 

So- there are my early years with books.  My next post will deal with books I have read after that time.  For today- think back to what books had an impact on your childhood.  How have they shaped who you are today?  Happy reading!

God Is In the Details

I've gotten many questions about if my book is "Christian" or not.  At the point I don't know if it will end up on shelves at Christian bookstores-we will have to see about that.  The bottom line is that I'm a Christian, so I'm sure that influence is stretched all across this story. 

But there are tough themes in the storyline.  betrayal- lust-murder-running away-loneliness-addiction    When you add all that to swords, war, skeletons and dragons it makes an interesting mix.  All I know is that I am writing this story for me- and I know the ending.  And I also know Who's influence is scattered in every chapter. 

I have to admit that I have been planted in Psalms since I have started writing the novel.  It has given me great ideas and helped to develop some themes that are in the book- love, courage and redemption being a few of them. 

And although my characters are not based on any one person- there are pieces of great Christian people in most of them.  I'm sure you could relate one of my people to Jacob in the Bible and two others to Cain and Abel.  And then there are the people I know....they provide me the most inspiration. 

There is a man in our church that has been through a lot in his life.  Maybe that's why he comes across the way he does- he has a passion for the lost like you don't see in most people.  The first time I watched him speak-I leaned over to Rich and said  "He is Darby with skin on."  (Darby is a character who goes through some horrible things and makes some bad choices but ends up on the good side and has a heart to lead people to what he has found.)  Every time he speaks I watch and listen.  Sunday he spoke of how much God loves us and he went down in the pews and spoke so passionately and with such love that I was blown away!  I came home and made notes so I wouldn't forget....

One of my main women has bits of many strong Christian women I have known through the years.  Women that I've taught with, women that I've had Bible study with, women that have allowed me into their lives.  I have taken the pieces and fashioned a character that is original- yet familiar to me. 

That's the art of writing.  The ability to take things from around you and mold them into something new.  Where exactly this novel will end up is in His hands.  For now, I am content to keep developing my characters and my story.  The rest will fall into place when it's time. 

What do you need to place in God's hands today?  Know that whatever it is, He will handle it most carefully.  It's what He does. 

Welcome to Crazyville: Living with a Writer

I have been thinking back over the past two years and I would have to say that things in our household have changed because of the novel.  I have my little space in the living room where I have all of my "stuff":  My large basket with my notebooks and sketchbooks in it.  Various pictures and quotes plastered to the front of my writing desk.  Keeping watch over me from their perch on the top of the desk are a raven and a dragon.  (not real of course!) 

Much more than these small physical changes are what has taken place in our family dynamics.  "The Book" is a phrase that is well used around our house.  "Mommy needs to work on the Book today."  "The music is blasting because Colette is working on the Book."  "Come act this out for me, I need to "see" it for the Book." 

This process has brought Rich and I much closer.  He is my brain storming partner- the one who helps talk me through ideas- the one who listens to what I write.  He KNOWS these characters!  Yesterday, he helped me to plot out a temple that the bad guys use for their ceremonies-he drew plans and even found a virtual tour of the Sistine Chapel for me to look at!  He has been awesome through all of this!

Driving in the van is a huge brainstorming place for me.  The kids know that if I have my music on- to let me have my silence.  They are pretty good about it too.  They are also used to if I am visualizing a scene in the story-I may play a song over and over and over.  Sometimes they love it and sometimes they don't! 

There are many parts in the story where I need real people to help me see in the physical what I see in my head.  I have had my family do various things for me including but not limited to:  sword fighting, jumping, running and other things.  One of my favorite things I asked my daughter and my husband to act out a scene where a man takes a girl and drags her into the forest.  I watched and watched as they did the same actions over and over until my daughter asked, "Is daddy finished kidnapping me yet?"  Yep that is normal around here.

I have learned to preface my questions or comments with "I'm thinking book now..."  or "I'm in the novel now".  Otherwise it is confusing or downright disturbing to whoever is listening to me.  "If I were to stab you with a dagger in my right hand where could I do the most damage?"  or "If you had wings, how would your cloak have to be altered?"  or "How does dragon fire differ from regular fire?"

Speaking of fire....last year our backyard neighbors' field caught on fire.  My friend was dialing 911 and I was reaching for my video camera!  I wanted to get pictures of how fire burns and see how it moved.  "Research"  I said to my friend.  I say that word often. 

I have become an observer of other people too.  A sign above my desk reads:  "Be Careful-You May End up in My Novel."  That is so true.  My characters are a mixture of many people- real and imaginary.  I will often say "That person reminds me of Derrick."  or "She has Afton's eyes."  It's just normal now. 

I'm sure I will be blogging about more of this again another time- it's been a huge change for us but a fun one too!  Crazy?  You bet!  Would I change one moment of it?  No way!