Archimedes M. Quinn

Every writer has an inner editor.  Each editor is as different in personality as their writer is from another writer.  Some have names, some do not, while others are known simply as Ed.  Mine, well, his names is Archie.  Actually, that’s his nickname, his full name is Archimedes M. Quinn.

Archie has been around for quite some time, but recently he decided he was going to come out of his little inner editor shell he put himself into inside my head and let me get to know him better.

I’m sure all of you are wondering, “What kind of an inner editor calls himself Archimedes M. Quinn?”  (btw, he gave himself that name, I had nothing to do with it.)  Well, I shall tell you.

Archie is a red-headed, perfectionist-realist-skeptic.  That’s right.  He thinks of himself as some sort of James Bond, Doctor Who cross over, (not kidding) and is obsessed with his wardrobe.  He likes to be well dressed and tends to look down on inner editors who do not take their appearance as seriously as he does.  (Yes, that means he’s a bit of a snob.  Where did I get such an inner editor?)   His interests include (but are not limited to), rapiers, bow ties, pocket watches and owls.  (Not to mention diving his writer crazy.)  He most recently informed me that he had a pet Spectacled Owl named Theophilus.

There’s Archie, pocketed into one paragraph, though he says I’m exaggerating on some of his lesser qualities, therefore, I shall tell you about his better qualities.  First off, his skepticism.  Yes, I see this as a good quality.  It keeps me on my toes.  If he’s skeptical of something *cough*my romance writing*cough* it forces me to rethink what I’m doing and make sure I’m showing it correctly.  (Though, if it’s a rough draft I usually just tell him to take a hike and come back for the revision.)  Even his perfectionism and realist POV can be good qualities.  Though maybe annoying, they really do help.

Archie and I tend to argue allot, but in the end we’re still writer and inner editor and get along pretty well.  (And he’s slowly learning to be nice.)  There you have it, you have now been introduced to my inner editor, aka, the personality in my head that keeps me thinking, aka, the side of me that was so frustrating it needed it’s own character.

P.S.  Here’s a picture of Archie and one of a Spectacled Owl.

Spectacled Owl (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Love for My “Choices” Team

I just have to say, I love my team of charries in Choices.  I really do.  They are just awesome.

Kate.  She is the easiest hero to work with.  She rocks.  I know her, I’m in her head, she’s real.  Even when I put her through the ringer she still likes me!  Most of my characters would be flipping mad and make sure I knew it, but Kate, she knows those things have to happen and she knows she’ll be better for it.  *hugs Kate*  God, thank you for such an awesome hero!

Terren.  Quiet, strong Terren.  He doesn’t like what I put him through (and am putting him through… sorry Terren…), but he doesn’t go on strike, (like I know another charrie is going to do when I write her story…. *winces*).  He might withdraw for a little while, but then he comes back around because like Kate, he knows it must happen.

Connor and Sara are just awesome peeps along for the ride.  The comic relief and moral support for my two MC’s.  You both rock.  ;)

Uraeus.  He’s a dragon, you can’t get any better than that.  Nuff said.

A bit of a random post, but I just had to write about how much I love this team.  I’m so blessed to have such an awesome and real group of characters.  Real to me, and real to my readers.  Thank you God for giving them to me!

I love being a writer, you get to keep your imaginary friends and get more!  Plus have adventures with them.  ;)

Image source:
http://www.sessiz-harfler.com/Anlatayim.aspx?ee=Benim-Sectiklerimden–%22-Iki-Dudak-Arasi-Ask-%22–Nihat-Coskun

Do They Break Your Heart?

I just rewrote a very emotional scene in Choices and now I just feel like crying.  I guess it’s a good thing, if it makes me cry it should make the readers cry right?  I almost feel like I just had my heart broken.  (Yes, it was a very intense scene.)

It’s crazy sometimes, how real these people are to me.  What hurts them hurts me.  What breaks their heart breaks mine.

But it makes them real.  They need to be real for the reader to relate to them, for the reader to want to cry with them.

So, do your characters ever break your heart?

How real are they to you?

Characters + Candy Store

What would happen if I let my band of characters loose in a candy store?  Probably something like this….

Avalyn and Stephen would have an archery contest with the gumballs. Geoffrey would be watching, now and then tossing his dagger or firing a bolt from his cross bow into a gumball, messing up the contest and causing an argument.

Esten would be examining and sampling the chocolate tools, wondering why someone would want a box of chocolate hammers. Much would be eating anything chocolate and creating quite the mess.

William would be watching the archery contest and keeping Stephen from starting a fist fight with Geoffrey. Ieuan would be chasing after Much.

Marion, Kate, Wrenna and Luke would be sitting on the counter laughing and playing with the sour belts and Swedish Fish.

Connor would be throwing gummy bears at Terren. Terren would be using a jar lid as a shield and firing gummy worms back.

Tyra would be munching on licorice, making little flutes with them, and hiding from everyone.

Silas would be wondering where she disappeared to, alternating between the group at the counter and Esten, and trying not to get involved with Avalyn, Stephen and Geoffrey’s archery arguments.

Minn would be jumping around, chasing flying gummy bears and worms, and snatching sour belts from the girls on the counter or the Swedish Fish that Luke tossed him. Now and then, the little dragon would jump to Avalyn’s shoulder in the middle of her shot, wrapping his tail around her neck, messing her up and looking quite please with himself.

Uraeus would be trying to get his big, amber dragon head through the window and eyeing Terren hoping he would let him in.

Villains, henchmen, and their nasty creatures would not be allowed.

Hello Geoffrey

You know those pesky characters that you love to pieces but sometimes wish they would leave you alone? The ones who just pop up in the oddest places when you least expect them and make you feel like you’re hallucinating or becoming schizophrenic? Enter Geoffrey; tall, sober, opinionated and constantly peering over my shoulder. I thought Tyra and Stephen were loud, but they’ve got nothing on Geoff.

It’s always the characters who are the most complicated and/or messed up who enjoy stalking my sub-conscious/consciousness, and they won’t leave me alone. Geoffrey is still fairly new. He was born sometime last fall and has grown into quite the personality very quickly. I think he’s one of my more unique characters, not just in looks, but history wise as well. He’s an outlaw, a man on the run, on the run from his past.

The weird thing is; he’s the character I feel the closest to at the moment even though his story is still buried in development. He’s from a deeper place inside me, a place that has been trying to come out and now finally has, but the personality it’s taken on has not only surprised me, it also unnerved me. Let me attempt to describe it. Imagine there is a man in his late twenties. He’s tall, has shoulder length black hair, pale violet eyes and a stern haunted face. He knows everything that’s in your mind, everything in your heart, and you know everything in his. Because he can, he points out all your flaws, trying to humiliate you and draws out your insecurities while at the same time, showing you his own. Oh, and he is just standing there staring at you. Oh, AND, you’re the only one who can see him.

At this point I’m sure you’re wondering whether or not I really am turning into a schizophrenic. Let’s just say this guy is starting to scare me with how real he is, but at the same time it excites me. I’m a writer, I want real characters and now I have one, (who’s really starting to freak me out!).

Okay Geoff, please stop looking at me like that. I’m writing a blog post about you, and there is nothing you can do to stop me. Ah!

So, like any other crazed writer with a nosey, leering at me from a dark corner character, I drew him. Funny thing is, once I was done with the drawing, he quieted down and left me alone, for a little while anyway. I think it scared him (muwhahahaha!). Must have, because it scared me too and I had to stuff it in a drawer where it couldn’t stare at me!

Maybe it’s time I should be concerned about my mental state… You think?

And here he is.

Crazy Mind/Character Madness

I type away on my laptop, stopping now and then to read over a new paragraph.  Stephen leans in and looks over my shoulder.

“What are you writing?  Is that my story?”  He asks squinting at the screen.

“No, it’s my college paper.”

“Well, are you almost done?  Are you going to work on my story?”

“Oh leave her alone Stephen!  You are such a pest!”  Kate comments from her place on my bed where she is reading. 

“You can talk.  She’s working on yours!  And YOURS!”  Stephen points an accusing finger at Avalyn.

Avalyn looks up at him, she’s sitting on the floor, thumbing through my illustrated addition of The Lord of the Rings, ”Oh please, get a grip Stephen.” 

Tyra laughs, she’s poking around in my closet, ”You don’t see me bugging her about my story do you?”

Stephen glares at Tyra, “You could care less.”

Tyra shrugs, “True, I prefer the freedom of the imagination outside the written words of a novel.”

Kate squelches a laugh.

Stephen crosses is arms, “I believe there are way to many females in this room.”  He looks around.  “Where are William, Silas, Esten, Terren and Connor?”

“They got tired of your whining,”  Tyra remarks.

I look up at Tyra, then at Stephen waiting for his response.  His face is turning red.  I raise my eyebrows at Tyra.  She mouths at me, “What?” 

Stephen humphs and disappears. 

“Finally, peace.”  Kate falls onto my pillows.

Avalyn cough laughs.

Tyra smirks. 

I roll my eyes, “You know people, I am trying to do homework.”

“Trying,” They all say at once. 

I grab my head, “Oh just shut up!”

I am answered by laughter.

Character Profile: Katelyn Rose

Full Name:  Katelyn Rose Hambelton     

Goes by: Kate

Nickname:  Katie Rose

Age: 18

Book:  CHOICES

Physical Traits: Blond hair, blue eyes, about 5’4″.

Personality Quirks/Traits:  A bit shy and uneasy in new situations.  She has her own set of opinions, but is willing to change them when proven wrong.  Curious; if there is something she wants to know, she’ll find it out.  Though she doesn’t believe she is particularly brave, those who know her well, know she is brave where it counts.  She doesn’t like cats, especially after her first day in Aeden.  Determined; once she sets her mind on something there is no turning back.  She talks to herself; allot.    

Background:  She is the second of four siblings.  She has an older brother, a younger brother and a younger sister.  Her family is Christian, but she is at a cross road in her own Faith, trying to decide what she really believes.  Her dad was in the army and came back from a deployment in Iraq a year ago, the thought of people she loves fighting in a war makes her worried and afraid.  She has just graduated from High School and has no idea of what she wants to do with her life.  She feels like she’s being pressured by everyone she knows to just do something and it’s driving her crazy.  Her relationship with her family is rather strained at the moment and she just wants to get out.

Into a New World:  In Aeden Kate is bombarded by confusion, doubts, fears, regrets, and a whole army of conflicting emotions.  She doesn’t understand how she could have ended up in a world that’s not supposed to exist, let alone have some mission in it.  Throw in a charming, selfless, handsome guy who saves her life and then takes her on a journey of a life time and suddenly things are spinning out of control and Kate fears that all too soon, the dream will be over and she will have to make the hardest choice anyone could ever face.

Intro. Scene:

Trees?  I blinked, where did the trees come from?  I sat up, gazing in bewilderment around me.

“Where am I?” I asked aloud.  This didn’t make sense. I tried to stand but a wave of dizziness made the world around me spin and I fell back to the ground.

“Oh!  My head!” I felt like I had been in a car wreck.  My head pounded away behind my eyes as if trying to separate itself from my body.  I squeezed my eyes shut, trying to mentally block the pain.  My ears began to ring and I began to shake.

Stop, please just stop!  Then, as abruptly as it had begun, it all stopped.  I opened my eyes and massaged my temples.

“What was that about?” I tried standing again, this time I was able to get to my feet.  Curiously I observed my surroundings.  I stood in a still, and quite empty, forest glade.  I tugged at my University of Washington sweat shirt.  The sun shone down brightly and it was getting warm.  I pulled a hair band off my wrist and tied my long blond hair in a pony tail. 

With a sigh I sat cross-legged on the ground.  I needed to figure out where I was.  If I was lost, the best thing was to stay put.  But was I lost?  I didn’t even know where I was or how I had gotten there.  I frowned, trying to remember what had happened.  Concentrating, I forced my memory to rewind.  Darkness, anger and frustration, lights, the sensation of falling, then waking up here.

“This is stupid!  Come on Kate, think!” I picked up a twig, broke it in two and tried again, with the same results. “Blast!  I don’t like this!”  I set my elbows on my knees and rested my chin in my hands.  That was when the ground began to shake. 

My heart jumped to my throat.  I hated earthquakes.  If there was one thing that terrified me, that was it.  Ever since that earthquake happened when I was five years old, I would never forget the thundering sound as books and figurines tumbled from my shelves as if the world had suddenly been thrown into chaos.  I looked up, waiting to see a tree come crashing towards me.  The ground shook so forcefully I had to brace myself with my hands to keep from falling over.  A thunderous boom echoed through the woods and the quake ended.  I held my breath and waited.  This place is starting to give me the creeps.  Nothing. I stood again, I didn’t care if I was lost or not, all I wanted was to get out of that clearing.

Character Change

Hello readers. 

This week it wasn’t just my hero who got a re-outline, I did too.  I’ll just say I needed an attitude adjustment.  I let myself get over depressed and it’s just today that I’ve finally come around.  It’s amazing to me how much I can do yet accomplish so little.  Well, I’m sick and finished with it.  Even thought I know it’s always going to be a struggle, I’m changing my fighting style; by actually fighting.

I’ve learned so much about my hero and through her I’ve learned a lot about me.  Writing really brings out who you are.  God has shown me who I am and the changes I need to make in my own character, and now I’m finally making those changes, just like my hero.

God bless,
~Laura

Two Steps Forward and One Step Back

Things have been going much better since Monday.  (Thanks for praying!)  I made the choice to take the whole week off from revising chapter eight.  Instead, I’m working on re-outlining my hero and doing some much needed research that I should have done before I started revising.

The reason why I am taking time to re-outline my hero is because I don’t know her as well as I should.  Really knowing your character is a very important part of writing a believable story.  If the characters are not real to you, they won’t be real to your readers.  One of the major things that a few people have told me after critiquing my novel was that the hero did a lot of things out of character.  Now, if the readers think the hero is not acting like herself and I don’t, there’s a problem, hence, I am re-outlining her to really dig into who she is and what makes her tick.

As with the research, well, I’ll just say there were a few gaps and mistakes that needed to be filled in and/or fixed.  For example, I wrote that one of the characters receives twenty lashes, twenty lashes would kill you, (oops, my bad).  And other things that had to do with culture, building interiors, sword types, and language related things.   

So now I have a nice pile of books beside me to plow through!  Three books on swords, (I like swords, ) one on castles, one on law and punishments, (fun I know,) a Medieval word book, (that I am very excited about,) two on Medieval life and one on Medieval furniture.  

Hope all your weeks have been going great!  I work tomorrow, so Friday’s post will again be on Saturday.  

God bless and thank you once again for your prayers!

~Laura