Suspense, Romance, and More by Pat McCain

Where do they come from---Those ideas, those characters?

Most times readers want to know where an author gets there ideas to write the stories they write. Sometimes ideas come upon us full blown, other times we have to fight with them, argue them down to our size, or just plain wrestle them to the ground. I find if I start out with my characters, interview them or at least do a detailed character sketch the story pretty much takes off on under its own power. Would you call that channeling your characters?

I thought about that when I began writing about Zip from Knapsack Secrets. That little guy kept saying to me he had more to say. I wrote what I thought was his story, rewrote it and now I’m not sure it is what he wanted to say. I was, at that point more concerned over word count than him. So perhaps it’s time to rewrite his story for the third time. This time I have a coach though. Suzanne Lieurance is a children’s writer, writing coach and so much more. Just the input I’ve gained from her on the first 1,000 words of this story has helped immensely. We’ll see where it goes from here.

As a reader, how important is it to get to know the characters in a book? Do you pick your books by an author you trust, reviews, or some other way?

As a writer how do you decide on your characters—personality, looks, thoughts, feelings? Do you have a special formula?

If you have an answer to these questions and post them I will see if I can answer them.

Have a great February full of love, happiness and success.

Billie A Williams

http://www.billiewilliams.com

Fin, Fur and Fatal an Ary England Mystery/Suspense

Available wherever books are sold and in any format.

And I thought it would be simple. Not! Surely I will get the hang of this someday.