My Newest Inspiration

Many people have passed through my life and left footprints on my heart. They gifted me with legacies that shaped my soul, and made me the person I am today. I find inspiration in memories of my dad and my grandparents. They taught me about God from the time I was a small child, and I live through their examples. I desire the ability to be a witness to the people in my life, just as my loved ones have inspired me.





A character from a favorite book series inspired me to pursue a writing career. I fell in love with his mysterious bad boy persona. I didn't care for the lack of direction in his character arc, so I helped him along by writing a 52K fanfic. Ranger got the girl in the end, and I found a never ending desire to create the next great American novel. I still haven't completed an MS or even came close, but I found the inspiration I needed to start. I may never write a traditional romance, but my desire is to inspire readers to seek a higher power through Jesus Christ.





My latest inspiration is my Pastor Mr. Timothy Throckmorton. For the past several years, Tim has written a weekly article in our local town newspapers. He applies and illustrates the word of God through his own life experiences. He reaches out to thousands of people every week by tapping words on his keyboard, sometimes describing some of his most embarrassing and humbling moments. I love and respect Tim because of the reasons he writes. He has such a deep and profound belief in God, he uses every avenue available to reach those who have never read a bible, and those who have, but need a spiritual lift.





Tuesday, June 20th, Tim's first book entitled You Bought the Book, You Name It will be released. I can't express the excitement, and joy I feel for his accomplishment. His book is compiled of some of his past newspaper articles. He didn't publish this book in hopes of fame or fortune. He loves the Lord and wants to share that love with anyone who picks up a copy of this book. I wish this book and Tim much success. May this publication change lives, and show the everlasting glory in God's love. Bless you Pastor.

Lisa Kleypas Does it Again

My favorite romance author is Lisa Kleypas. I adore her writing voice, and her memorable characters. I just finished the newest release in her Texas contemporary series. Smooth Talking Stranger is another gem in this awesome series. The heroine, Ella Varner is tough, soft hearted, and the glue of her dysfunctional family. When she is faced with the responsibility of caring for her newborn nephew, after her sister abandons him, her life is turned upside down. However, Ella takes it in stride, and in the process meets Jack Travis, a sexy, self- made millionaire. Although Ella and Jack are polar opposites, they share an undeniable sexual chemistry. In caring for baby Luke, Ella finds herself, and discovers she wants far more out of life than she was receiving. This is a love story in double proportion. Ella falls in love with two men. One that slobbers, and totally depends on her, and the other, who makes her drool, and wants to take care of her. Also in the mix is the reappearance of Hardy Cates *swoon*, Haven, Liberty, Carrington, Churchill, and Gage Travis. We loved them in Sugar Daddy and Blue Eyed Devil. They play memorable roles in this one as well, and their appearance gives the reader a much wanted update on their lives. Lisa introduces Joe Travis who is the youngest Travis sibling. One can only hope that Lisa's next offering in this wonderful series is a book for Joe. I give this book 5 stars. In my opinion, when you read the last words in a book, and you want to start all over again, you've found a winner. Lisa Kleypas gives her readers another literary gift with the third book in this Texas series.

A Character is Born

A thousand random thoughts travel through my mind at the speed of light. I reach out trying to grasp one that will make me, or break me. A scenario is waiting just behind the next wall of fog, dying to become my next WIP. I'll form a character from the images that flutter through the darkness, whispering to me the snippets of their existence.

Characters are like real people. They want, they dream, and they disappoint. As writers we create a shell of existence on the page. We breathe emotion, physical features, and actions into the outer and inter shell of their existence. The shell becomes a person with conflicts, flaws, and the desire to love and to be loved. Sometimes our characters never expect what we have in store for them, and most of the time they fight us tooth and nail with their own agenda. In each character, whether male or female, we leave a part of ourselves behind. We grow, we cry, and we conquer the world with them. And in the end, we are better writers for having created them.

We can never dream too high, or work too hard to make a character more real. The characters that I can remember from favorite authors are memorable for a reason. They spoke the right dialogue, they made me laugh, and they were good even when they were bad. But most of all, they made me want to be a better writer. They made me want to put a pen to paper.

I have a character wreaking havoc in my mind. He's strong, dark, and fleeting. He's a mystery man. He's a loner. He has the physical strike of a rattler, and the stealth of a ninja warrior. He doesn't know it yet, but he wants a woman in his life. He could use his brawn to make a dire situation change for the better, but he doesn't see it that way. He lives by his own rules, and when he talks, people listen. When a certain lady enters the picture he discovers a voice of reason, and that maybe women weren't created for one use only.

His name is Jack Blue. And he has a story to be told.

How do your characters present themselves? Do you see a part of yourself in each character you create?