Spellbound
By Tara Manderino
In an attempt to keep a revolutionary explosive from falling into the wrong hands, Luke, a U.S. Secret Service Agent in 1874, battles hypnosis wielding enemies in an effort to keep his fiancée, Maj, and the country safe.
Chapter 1
Luke opened the small stack of mail on his desk. The few messages on his desk mostly related to headquarters and reports, so he dispatched them as quickly as possible. He absolutely loved his job as a Secret Service Agent, but if he could figure out a way to dispose of the paperwork, he would gladly do so. Finished with his task, he gathered his papers into a neat pile and slipped them into a portfolio. He would take them to headquarters later when he went out.
"Are you finally done?" his partner, Simon, asked from where he was laying on the sofa of their shared flat, reading the paper.
As far as Luke could tell Simon couldn’t see a thing with the paper over his face. "Just because you write five sentence reports doesn't mean the rest of us do."
Finished with his task, Luke stood, stretched his arms above his head and twisted first to the left then to the right. The pull of muscles reminded him it had been several days since he had done more than deal with papers. Glancing at the desk to be sure everything was in place, he realized he had overlooked one piece of mail. Reaching over, he picked it up and opened it glancing at the contents quickly, then once again, more slowly. This was worth savoring. “I can't believe it."
“What?" Simon's voice drifted lazily from behind the newspaper."
The men had been partners at work for several years and shared a flat for most of that time. When they ended up courting, then becoming engaged to sisters, it almost seemed inevitable.
Looking at the letter in his hand, he couldn’t wait to share this with Maj. For now, he would share with his partner.
“Look at this.” There was no disguising the delight in Luke’s voice as he waved the letter in front of Simon’s face. He was leaning over the sofa where Simon lay with a section of the newspaper covering his face.
Simon moved the edge of the paper down to his chin, and peered at his partner over the top of the newspaper. “You sound excited. What are you talking about?”
“The letter.” Luke shoved it at him.
Tossing the newspaper on the nearby table, Simon sat up, grasped the edge of thick stationary and turned it right side up to read.
“It’s a formal invitation to speak at the Washington College Commencement.” Luke told him before he could have read more than the salutation.
“Washington, Pennsylvania? Your alma mater?”
“Yes. Can you believe it?” He had a difficult time grasping the concept. He had planned to make a visit but something always seemed to get in the way.
“Very impressive.” Simon skimmed the letter and handed it back. “Are you accepting?”
Luke took the letter and grinned at him. “What do you think?”
“I think it’s good that someone else will get to hear your theory on – ,” he half turned in his seat to follow Luke’s movements as he put the letter back on the desk. “Just what do they want you to speak on?” He held up his hand before Luke could say a word. “Wait, never mind. The only thing that can bring such an animated look to your face is explosives.”
“Exactly. In fact, the letter is from Professor Daley. He was one of my first instructors in the field.” He moved around the sofa and sat on the arm of the chair, facing Simon. He shook his head in disbelief. “I can’t tell you how much this opportunity means to me. It’s fantastic, that’s what it is.”
“Have you run it past the Major yet?”
“You mean about attending?” Luke waved the thought away. Major Trent had been their superior for some time now and was used to their odd requests, besides, this could benefit the agency. “Nah. I plan on going over to headquarters this afternoon. As far as I know, we don’t have any planned assignments, so the timing is perfect.”
Simon crossed his arms over his chest. “Um, Luke, the professor -- does know you work for the government?”
“I don’t see what that has to do with anything.” Luke shrugged, “but yes, he does.” He rubbed the back of his neck and gave Simon a sheepish grin. “I suspect it’s one of the reasons he asked me.” There were times his government connection would open doors he wouldn’t normally even look in.
“And this professor… Daley … likes explosives?”
“He’s one of the best in the chemical sciences.”
“This should be interesting.” Simon folded the newspaper and tossed it on the table before getting to his feet and stretching. “What time did you say you were going to headquarters? I may as well go along before I meet Kirsten.”
“Right. Let me grab my jacket and we can stop to get something to eat on the way.” A few minutes later, both men had donned their suit coats and headed for the restaurant down the street from the Secret Service headquarters, a popular spot for most of the agents even though the food could only be called tolerable at best.
A very short time after finishing lunch, the men crossed the street to enter the office building. Not particularly tall by modern standards, its three floors never the less boasted an elevator. After identifying themselves to the receptionist in the main lobby, they headed for the Major’s outer office, waiting for him to admit them.
“Do we have something scheduled?” The Major stood and greeted them as they entered the office.
“No, sir, but something has come up.”
Motioning to the sturdy oak chairs in front of the desk, the Major waited until they were seated before leaning against his desk.
In spite of the weight of the chairs, Luke still eased himself into it. He always managed to get the chair that creaked. With Simon’s slighter build it didn’t seem to make much difference. It had to be the ten pound difference between them. Or, as he suspected, Simon remembered which chair had the weaker joints.
“What brings you down here voluntarily?”
Luke raised his eyebrows at the comment. He and Simon were regular visitors to headquarters when they weren’t working on a case. Quickly, Luke outlined the invitation.
“It sounds like a magnificent opportunity. You definitely should attend.” Then he turned to Simon. “You have a problem with this, Barr? You must have some objection since you’re here.”
Simon spread his hands outward. “I’m not involved. I just came along because I had the time. I think it’s a great opportunity. I almost wish I were going – especially if Luke is giving any demonstrations.”
“You’ve seen them; used some of them, in fact,” the Major reminded him.
“True, but when someone sees them for the first time…”
Luke gave a fake cough and shot a glance at his partner. Although slighter in build, Simon was by far the more physically agile and stronger of the two men. Luke often came up with ideas and devices that would give him a sporting chance when compared to Simon. Too often, their pursuit of criminals ended up in a fight. Any edge he could find to ensure the clash ended in their favor, he gladly shared with his partner. He had tried to offer many of the same devices to other agents, but most of them were not nearly as appreciative. “They’re not all that bad.”
“Agreed. They saved me a time or two,” Simon said truthfully.
The Major clasped his hands together. “As it so happens, you wanting to visit the college couldn’t have come at a better time.”
“You mean things have slowed down here, there’s no threat to national security?” Simon asked, half in jest.
“I wouldn’t go that far,” the Major told them. “However, it just so happens that the department has also received a letter from Professor Daley.” He walked around to the business side of his desk and sat down before rifling through the papers covering the surface.
Luke raised his eyebrows. “About me speaking?” That would have been considerate, but deuced odd.
“Not exactly.” Finding what he was looking for, the Major pulled a folder in front of him, then leaning forward and bracing his elbows on the desk, he folded his hands. “He seems to be concerned about a new formula he created.”
Luke settled back in his chair. “Professor Daley always has a new formula or a new theory. I swear he creates them as often as other people change their clothes.”
The Major reached flipped open the folder and removed the first page. He passed it to Luke. “This sounds a little more serious.”
“What’s it say?” Simon asked, leaning to the side, trying to read over Luke’s shoulder.
After scanning the letter, Luke went back to the beginning and read it at a more leisurely pace. “He calls it Apocalypse,” he said. He passed the letter to Simon so he could read it on his own. “Why would he create such a thing, and then say that it needs to be protected?” he ruminated out loud.
“I don’t think he planned to create it,” Simon said, handing the letter back to the Major.
Luke waved his hand, and the thought away. “I saw that, but if he had created it, even by accident, why would he keep the formula? That doesn’t sound like him.”
“As to that, his secretary led me to believe he didn’t have much choice in the matter, figuring it would be safer in his hands than any others.” The Major tucked the letter back in the folder. He looked up at the men and chuckled. “No need to look so puzzled. That letter,” he used his chin to point to the letter in Simon’s hand, “was hand delivered by his secretary. She had a few other bits of information to relay. But since you’re here, I think you might be interested in talking to her.” Pushing himself away from the desk, he stood, walked to the door, opened it and stuck his head out, asking his secretary to find Miss Haight.
In spite of the Major’s words, Luke was puzzled. It would have made more sense to incinerate the formula. Then again, the professor wasn’t exactly known for his common sense.
“She’ll be here in a moment,” the Major said after closing the door, “she’s freshening up. She only arrived here with the letter moments before you did.”
“How did you know we would be coming by?”
The Major grinned. “Luke, I never know when you two will show up. This was pure happenstance, I assure you.”
Simon gave a disbelieving grunt. Silently, Luke echoed the sentiment. He didn’t believe in coincidence.
As the door opened and the young woman entered the room, all three men stood. The Major introduced Miss Elizabeth Haight.
Given the age of the professor, and the fact that Miss Haight had traveled alone from Washington, at least that’s what the Major had indicated, Luke expected a battle-axe or a matronly type woman at the very least. Miss Haight was far from it. He noticed that Simon too was staring at her. Dressed in a stylish travel dress, the deep green gabardine set off her dark hair and brown eyes to perfection.
“Haight? There’s a professor by that name from Jefferson College.”
“My father.”
That probably explained her position. She wasn’t some independent woman seeking work, she probably had grown up on the campus. The Washington College and the Jefferson Colleges had worked together closely.
The Major cleared his throat. “Since you are going to Pennsylvania, Luke, I thought Miss Haight could travel along with you.”
Luke’s gaze practically flew to the Major’s.
“I think that’s a wonderful idea,” Simon interjected.
“But of course,” Luke said to Miss Haight. “I would be delighted to escort you, but if you’ll excuse us for now?” Then turning to the Major, he assured the man he would be in touch later to confirm his travel plans.
“Having Miss Haight along could work out quite well,” Luke said as they took the cab to their apartment. He couldn’t have arranged it better. “I had been thinking of asking Maj to come with me. She has indicated at other times that she would be interested in hearing one of my lectures. Aside from that,” he continued before Simon could say anything, “there is a gala the night before the lectures. A chance for all of the guests to meet and get acquainted, or reacquainted.”
“I definitely think Miss Haight is an asset. Maj has to feel comfortable.”
Luke was pretty sure Maj would have been just fine with only him, but Simon had a point. One he had considered earlier. It was becoming increasingly common for women to travel alone, especially through the west, but Luke wasn’t entirely comfortable with the idea.
Simon’s teasing voice finally registered. “Surely even you weren’t thinking of asking an unmarried woman to travel with you?”
“Er... Not exactly,” Luke said. “I thought this would be the perfect time to get married.”
Simon shook his head. “You know Kirsten and I are going to my family home for our wedding? My sisters would skin me alive if I had a wedding without them there, or had them involved, and since Kirsten doesn’t have any family except for Maj –”
“What are you getting at, Sime? I don’t have any sisters to worry about.”
Simon gave an exasperated sigh. “What I’m getting at is that unless I’m mistaken, Kirsten and Maj are contemplating a double wedding.”
Luke rubbed his hand across his forehead. He couldn’t remember the last time Simon was mistaken, not that he liked to remind the man. “And your mother, of course, has no objections.” He couldn’t keep the dry note out of his voice.
“None at all. In fact, I think she suggested it.”
Luke had no trouble believing it. He had only met Simon’s mother once, but mother and son were very alike. “You know, I could still have Maj come along if Kirsten came too.” He watched his partner’s jaw clench and hid a grin. “But I don’t have to now, since as you pointed out, Miss Haight has come to the rescue. Maj will have to come along now. It would be unseemly to travel with Miss Haight.” Not really, he reminded himself, but he would never give Maj cause for concern.
When the cab pulled up in front of the apartment, they disembarked. Luke headed inside while Simon paid the driver, and then followed.
~*~
As the two couples sat down to dinner in the hotel restaurant, Luke looked at the women. At first glance, it was hard to tell they were sisters. Maj’s hair was auburn, almost brown, and her eyes were clear amber. Whisky colored. Kirsten was shorter, blonde and had green eyes. But the stubborn tilt of their chins and the shape of their eyes proclaimed they were related. Only after the waiter had served the main course, did Luke bring up the fact he would be traveling to Washington, Pennsylvania and would be listed as a guest lecturer during the commencement exercises.
Maj arched one eyebrow and shot him a quick look that he interpreted as ‘why didn’t I know about this?’ He placed his hand over hers and squeezed as he continued speaking. “I just found out a short while ago and I needed to get clearance from the department.” It was such short notice, he had telegraphed his response to make sure it arrived as quickly as possible. Instead of releasing her hand, he slipped it in his and intertwined their fingers before pulling away.
“It sounds like a marvelous opportunity, Luke.”
There was no mistaking the forced lightness in her tone.
He again caught her hand and clasped it under the table; refusing to release it even though she discreetly tugged against him. “I was pleased to be asked.”
“How long will you stay?” Kirsten asked.
“It’s a short trip,” he told them. “There will be a full day of lectures, then the ball. The next day will be a shorter one with the speeches, then commencement. I’m not sure where I’ll be on the roster yet.” He squeezed Maj’s hand and turned to address his comment only to her. “I would love for you to come with me. All of the professors and lecturers are invited to the ball.”
Her gaze flew to his and there was no mistaking the excitement in her hazel eyes, and then they clouded. “I don’t think that will be possible.” She tried to slip her hand from Luke’s clasp, but he held tighter.
He gave a rueful smile. “I don’t think I went about this the right way. Miss Haight, the professor’s secretary, will be along too.” When she still seemed hesitant, he pushed home the fact that she would be helping him out.
“Do go, Maj,” Kirsten insisted. “I know how much you like going to lectures and this would suit you quite well.”
Maj looked at her sister, then back to Luke. “I think I would enjoy it very much.”
“I’m certain of it, or I wouldn’t have suggested it.” Luke patted her hand, then released it and leaned back in his chair. “I plan to telegraph the professor and see if he could make inquiries into visiting the Ladies’ Seminary in Washington.”
While she had seemed excited at the prospect of going with him, she positively glowed now. “I’ve read so much about the place,” Maj said. “They truly are a leader in the field of education for women.”
Simon leaned back in his chair. “Here we go,” he said with a smile in Kirsten’s direction.
“I won’t say another word.” Maj pretended to be affronted, then leaned forward to steady her gaze on Simon’s. “Ha! Like you don’t support education for women.”
“I didn’t say that.”
“You don’t have to,” Maj assured him.”You’ve told us enough times about your sisters attending academies.”
“I really need to keep my mouth shut.” He covered his grumbling with a napkin to the lips.
Kirsten gave him a playful slap on the arm before turning her attention back to Luke. “Isn’t there a War Orphan’s School in the area too?”
Simon leaned forward, bracing his forearms on the table. “That is one thing the government did right.”
“Truly,” Kirsten agreed. “It’s sad to see some of the families broken up, but at least the parents know their children are cared for.”
“The War Between the States was hard on many people. I don’t believe anyone was left unscathed,” Luke said. Each of them paid in a different way, but the country most of all. He knew feelings were still close to the surface in the south.
Maj’s voice pulled him from his thoughts. “The school is in Uniontown, right on the Mason-Dixon line, but I have no idea how far that is from Washington.”
Seeing the excitement in her eyes, Luke decided it wasn’t too far at all, no matter how many miles. “I’m sure we can squeeze in a trip in there, too, if you’re interested.” An extra day or so wouldn’t matter if they needed it.
“Well, now that everything is settled, I think it’s time for me to get home.” Simon pushed the chair from the table, and pulled back the chair for Kirsten. “Your turn,” he said to Luke over his shoulder, as he escorted Kirsten out of the restaurant.
Luke grinned as he stood, and then held Maj’s chair for her. Simon knew darn well it had been his turn to take care of the bill.
After they pulled up in front of the boarding house where Maj lived, Luke insisted on walking her to the door, telling the cab to wait. Mrs. Whitcomb didn’t approve of men stopping in after dark, but he didn’t particularly care about her opinion. She should be used to him by now. “I’m looking forward to traveling with you, Luke,” Maj told him once they were in the foyer.
“Because you want to see the schools. I won’t kid myself.” He smiled as he said it taking the sting from his words, although he did know the schools were a huge attraction to her. He regretted her inability to attend college almost as much as she did. She was more intelligent than many of the men he worked with and he had met very few people with a thirst for knowledge to equal hers. At one time, he had considered encouraging her to go to school, but he was selfish. He wasn’t ready for her to do so without him. If he could figure out something where they could be together, even if it meant him changing careers, as much as he detested the thought, he would be open to it. But that kind of commitment could only come after marriage.
“Is that what you really think?” She canted her head to one side, studying him.
“Not by a long shot. If I thought it for one moment we wouldn’t be engaged.” He leaned close to inhale the lemon scent he associated with her and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.”I’ll send a message around as to when you need to be ready.”
~End Excerpt~
Saturday, June 30, 2012
Friday, June 29, 2012
Friday - How She Does It - Tara Manderino
We all know there are six elements in writing fiction and often fact. Who, What, When, Where, Why and How. I believe the first five lead to the sixth which for me is the plot. What's your take on this?
Thanks for inviting me here today. I love talking about my characters and writing. The Five Ws are like the introduction to a newspaper article. They tell me what I’m supposed to look for as the story progresses, yet give a capsule form of the story itself. I think that holds true in fiction writing too. The first chapter should answer the 5 Ws and unraveling the How definitely leads to and through the plot.
1. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific process?
I don’t know that I actually create characters. Mostly I have these people show up in my head and I have to ask them what they want and why are they there. Sometimes I have a little trouble on their appearance and have to grill them on it. Until then, they may be like an out of focus photograph and I have to hone in.
2. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?
The characters definitely come before the plot. I can’t think of one instance where they didn’t. There are times I will think of something plot related and say to myself – oh, Luke would love to deal with that. I have to actually stop myself and send a reminder to my brain that he is not a real person. Happens with quite a few of my characters. Once I understand the characters, we’re pretty much partners in the plot. I may sketch something out, but my path may not be the one a particular character decides they’re going to take. It can get very frustrating sometimes. Then again, when the character takes over is when the magic happens and I feel more like a translator than writer.
3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?
I always have an ending in place before I start writing. Most of the time, it’s a rather general idea of where I want the story to end. A lot of the specifics are determined by the characters. There were times I have come close to the end of story – the end was in sight! – and some pesky hero or heroine would say, “Nope, that’s not the way it’s going to work.” That’s always interesting. We (the characters and I) seem to agree on the general ideas, but the specifics often separate us.
4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?
I like to use settings I’m at least familiar with. I don’t actually know them so that always involves research, something I find all too much fun and absorbing on its own.
5. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?
Both. I tend to start out researching online. There is a ton of stuff out there, easily accessible. The Library of Congress is one of my favorite jumping off points. Once I get into more research I tend to get off line. I will look through books, check with reference librarians – which sometimes leads me back online, or correspond with people from local museums of there is info I think they can help me with. Most small, local museums are staffed by volunteers who are not only knowledgeable, but extremely enthusiastic and love to share that knowledge. Even if they aren’t able to answer a specific question for me, they generally are able to spark another tangent for me to research. I really have to be careful with the research. I could use all of my time there and just get totally sucked up in it.
6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why?
I’ve tried both ways and have to say I am not most comfortable with being a draft writer. I need to get the whole story out. It helps me to better know my character. No matter how much I write about him or her beforehand, and learn all the little quirks, I just never know what they’re actually going to do in a given situation until they’re there. Kind of like life. There are a few instances when I would go over the draft and say, whoa, this isn’t working because the hero would NEVER do that. It’s just not in his character. That kind of thing.
Thanks for inviting me here today. I love talking about my characters and writing. The Five Ws are like the introduction to a newspaper article. They tell me what I’m supposed to look for as the story progresses, yet give a capsule form of the story itself. I think that holds true in fiction writing too. The first chapter should answer the 5 Ws and unraveling the How definitely leads to and through the plot.
1. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific process?
I don’t know that I actually create characters. Mostly I have these people show up in my head and I have to ask them what they want and why are they there. Sometimes I have a little trouble on their appearance and have to grill them on it. Until then, they may be like an out of focus photograph and I have to hone in.
2. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end?
The characters definitely come before the plot. I can’t think of one instance where they didn’t. There are times I will think of something plot related and say to myself – oh, Luke would love to deal with that. I have to actually stop myself and send a reminder to my brain that he is not a real person. Happens with quite a few of my characters. Once I understand the characters, we’re pretty much partners in the plot. I may sketch something out, but my path may not be the one a particular character decides they’re going to take. It can get very frustrating sometimes. Then again, when the character takes over is when the magic happens and I feel more like a translator than writer.
3. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?
I always have an ending in place before I start writing. Most of the time, it’s a rather general idea of where I want the story to end. A lot of the specifics are determined by the characters. There were times I have come close to the end of story – the end was in sight! – and some pesky hero or heroine would say, “Nope, that’s not the way it’s going to work.” That’s always interesting. We (the characters and I) seem to agree on the general ideas, but the specifics often separate us.
4. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around?
I like to use settings I’m at least familiar with. I don’t actually know them so that always involves research, something I find all too much fun and absorbing on its own.
5. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?
Both. I tend to start out researching online. There is a ton of stuff out there, easily accessible. The Library of Congress is one of my favorite jumping off points. Once I get into more research I tend to get off line. I will look through books, check with reference librarians – which sometimes leads me back online, or correspond with people from local museums of there is info I think they can help me with. Most small, local museums are staffed by volunteers who are not only knowledgeable, but extremely enthusiastic and love to share that knowledge. Even if they aren’t able to answer a specific question for me, they generally are able to spark another tangent for me to research. I really have to be careful with the research. I could use all of my time there and just get totally sucked up in it.
6. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why?
I’ve tried both ways and have to say I am not most comfortable with being a draft writer. I need to get the whole story out. It helps me to better know my character. No matter how much I write about him or her beforehand, and learn all the little quirks, I just never know what they’re actually going to do in a given situation until they’re there. Kind of like life. There are a few instances when I would go over the draft and say, whoa, this isn’t working because the hero would NEVER do that. It’s just not in his character. That kind of thing.
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Thursday - Who I'm reading
Today I'll be talking about historical novels and one masterful writer of those I've been reading lately. I do read a lot and with the Kindle my reading has increased by leaps and bounds. Though I've been accused by my parents years ago of inhaling books, I do remember a lot of what I read and I re-read books. One of the new authors I've discovered is Juliet Waldron. She writes historical novels that make you feel you are living in the era she has chosen to write about and you are living the lives of the characters. I haven't read all her books, but I will.
If you want to know more about the author and her books the following will take you to her author page andyou can explore her books. http://www.amazon.com/Juliet-Waldron/e/B004HIX4GS/ref=sr_tc_2_rm?qid=1340890739&sr=1-2-ent
Now to the one's I've read so far. Genesee is a story of a woman who had been captured by the Indians as a child and what happens after she's returned. Some of the characters are not nice to her but she perserveres and she finds a hero worthy of her.
Mozart's Wife was enthralling. I saw Amadeus on Broadway and also the movie, but the story of Mozart's wife brings a whole new picture to this musical genius' life and his music. She's written a new one called My Mozart that I'll be buying soon.
I've also read Red Magic. The time is about the same as Mozart's Wife and until I read Mozart's Wife I didn't know of the connection.
If you like history with a touch of romance, I'd definitely take a look at Juliet's Amazon page and find books that are well written and will carry you to a different era.
If you want to know more about the author and her books the following will take you to her author page andyou can explore her books. http://www.amazon.com/Juliet-Waldron/e/B004HIX4GS/ref=sr_tc_2_rm?qid=1340890739&sr=1-2-ent
Now to the one's I've read so far. Genesee is a story of a woman who had been captured by the Indians as a child and what happens after she's returned. Some of the characters are not nice to her but she perserveres and she finds a hero worthy of her.
Mozart's Wife was enthralling. I saw Amadeus on Broadway and also the movie, but the story of Mozart's wife brings a whole new picture to this musical genius' life and his music. She's written a new one called My Mozart that I'll be buying soon.
I've also read Red Magic. The time is about the same as Mozart's Wife and until I read Mozart's Wife I didn't know of the connection.
If you like history with a touch of romance, I'd definitely take a look at Juliet's Amazon page and find books that are well written and will carry you to a different era.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Wednesday's Writer's Tip - Characters, Eileen Charbonneau
Once again it's Wednesday and I'm looking at Elements of the Novel by Eileen Charbonneau. This time she's talking about characters. Without people in the story, there can be no story. Of course we've read stories using animals as the major characters but they become more than just animals. I once wrote a very unsuccessful story from the POV of a park bench. I'll say nothing more except I was writing in my artsy period. Eileen has written stories with wonderful characters, so let's see what she has to say.
Her first advice is about creating these characters and knowing more about them than their name, height and weight. Looking into other aspects of the life of the characters you're developing always adda dimension to who they are.The more you know about a character and how they developed into the person they have become with the goals they strive for and the problems caused by their social, physical, emotional and mental development, the better you can bring the people you develop to life.
Once you have your character firmly in mind, Eileen talks about how to reveal your character. This is done in many ways such as speech, action, and interacting with other characters. The character is also defined by where they live and the twists and turns of the plot.
So when writing start looking at ways to enhance your characters and some day you may have a character who lives for the ages like Scrooge or Scarlet.
Tuesday, June 26, 2012
Tuesday's Inspiration - Edgar Rice Burroughs
I will admit to reading the Tarzan series and the John Carter books when I was much younger than I am today. In fact starting at age 4 when I discovered the library, I read and read. When there was nothing new to read, I re-read books. My mother used to say, "You don't read, you inhale." What does this have to do with Edgar Rice Burroughs? Twice in the past few weeks I've come across the same quote of his and today this has inspired me
"If you write one book, it may be bad; if you write a hundred you have the odds in your favor."
Interesting thought. What does it mean to a writer. I have several friends who have written just one book, over and over again. They are striving for perfection and somehow they never find that goal. I have other friends who have written a hundred books, some less and some more. What the quote means to me is to become an author a writer needs to write more than one book. There many things that can be learned by a constant plunging into something new. I also believe a writer to become an author is to read and read in a variety of fields.
That one book a writer produces may gain publication and success or that one book could languish in a drawer forever as version after version is produced. The writer of many books may come to a delightful discovery. Every book they write is better than the one before. Those first few attempts may be shoved into a closet but suddenly the writer becomes an author. One learns by doing and honing the bits and pieces of writing that can be learned.
What about you? Are you a one book writer or one who writes until the craft of telling stories helps you beat the odds?
"If you write one book, it may be bad; if you write a hundred you have the odds in your favor."
Interesting thought. What does it mean to a writer. I have several friends who have written just one book, over and over again. They are striving for perfection and somehow they never find that goal. I have other friends who have written a hundred books, some less and some more. What the quote means to me is to become an author a writer needs to write more than one book. There many things that can be learned by a constant plunging into something new. I also believe a writer to become an author is to read and read in a variety of fields.
That one book a writer produces may gain publication and success or that one book could languish in a drawer forever as version after version is produced. The writer of many books may come to a delightful discovery. Every book they write is better than the one before. Those first few attempts may be shoved into a closet but suddenly the writer becomes an author. One learns by doing and honing the bits and pieces of writing that can be learned.
What about you? Are you a one book writer or one who writes until the craft of telling stories helps you beat the odds?
Monday, June 25, 2012
Monday - 25 June - Week behind and week ahead
Keying in corrections is boring but it must be done. Though the story is finished it is not ready to send. I'm faced with pages of manuscript with corrections scribbled over the pages. Question marks left off. Words that are words but not the right words. Sentences that are needed to clarify the story. Between this and also starting the rough draft of a new story this coming week looks like fun.
Last week I did finish the final read through of The Micro-manager Murder and now must type in all the corrections so I can send it off to one of my publishers, the one who has the other four of the Katherine Miller mysteries. Writing the end is always a rewarding time and making those last few changes, maybe not a few but hundreds will make the story sing.
This week I'll be working on Lines of Fire, the first of a trilogy. A fantasy grouping that somehow snuck in ahead of the next story in line. Sometimes stories cry to be told and though the one I had planned to tell next is still there the characters are waiting patiently so this new one can be told. Alric is a Defencer who sees and uses the lines of fire during the duels he fights. Kalia is to be his bondmate. She also sees the lines but she refuses to use them during duels. This whole concept is interesting to me at this point and during the writing, I'll start thinking of the next and the next stories. Call writing an obsession. I believe that's true. So now it's off to work.
Before I go, tell me which is your favorite part of the writing game? Writing The End or starting the Rough Draft of a new adventure?
Sunday, June 24, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Saturday's Chapter - Fire's Ice - Brynna Curry
Prologue
Ireland-Fall 1009
“Arianne! Help me!”
Ari placed the sachet she’d been filling with lavender on the old oak table and hurried to open the door. The cottage she shared with her twin Briella was small, just big enough for the two of them. The main room held a large hearth for cooking and preparing medicinal herbs. There were two other rooms for sleeping.
She watched Brie struggle to get through the open doorway with a large man leaning on her small frame. Another stray. Where had she found this one?
Rushing to help her sister, Ari wedged her shoulder under his other arm to take some of the weight off Brie. Dark, delicious power punched into her with the contact. Dizzy with lust for it, her magic began pulling on his of its own accord and scared the hell of her. She was always very carefully controlled--never had her power acted alone. Faerie. The demon did not stir. Fear of what he was, what he could make her, made her lash out with venom “Really, sister. You bring home the most interesting creatures. You do realize he is faerie.”
“Arianne! It matters not what he is, just help me get him into my room.”
She felt Brie’s urgency and terror as strongly as the faerie’s power. As a rule, she wasn’t empathic, but today proved different. The man’s body was torn; seawater made his wounds a vicious ache. His suffering became hers. Giving up, Ari knew it would do no good to argue with her sister. Nothing would change. “The villagers will lynch us before nightfall. What has happened with him anyway? His clothes are shredded.”
“As is much of his flesh. Mayhap you should direct your eyes elsewhere, sister.”
“I’ve seen naked men before.”
“You have no shame. Do you? I think he must have been tossed overboard in a storm or something of the like. I found him washed up on the sand and rocks below the dance. I thought he was dead at first. His heartbeat is faint, weak, but there. I suppose we will have to wait until he wakes to discover the nature of his injuries.”
She managed to avoid breaking most of the urns as they struggled to get their patient into Brie’s room. Turning sideways, they made it through the small doorway and crouched down to angle and shift his shoulders onto the straw mattress where Brie slept. “So you floated him up the cliff, but couldn’t use the air to carry and lift him inside.”
“Normally I would have.”
“Then why waste the energy to carry him? He will probably die anyway.”
Briella turned on her, eyes snapping open with barely contained anger. “Mayhap the next bones I find on the sand will be your own and I might consider your words before stirring the air.”
“Sure and I might be doomed to die on the rocks, sister, but only if you pushed me over the edge first.”
“My craft forbids the like, but oh how there are days I wished I were more like your wicked self.” She paused to lift his feet onto the mattress. “I am weak. I linked with him to save his life. It drains me.”
Wicked, am I? Ari shook her head. Not that she had the power to sacrifice herself, but she would have never done such a thing. “Little fool. Keep giving so much of yourself and one day there will be nothing left. Then what use will your almighty power be?”
“I could not let him die.”
“Why not? Others have died in your care. More may yet. We will be put to death when the elders learn he is here. You risk our lives for a dalliance with the devil?”
“Stop being a child. He will be important to me. I can feel it. Fetch some boiling water. I need to clean his wounds.”
Fetch me some water, Arianne. Do this. Do that. “I am not your bloody dog to fetch for you on a whim.”
“True. A dog would be obedient and more pleasant to be around. Water. Now!”
“Fine.” Five minute’s difference and Brie’s power would have been mine. The elders thought she was like our sainted mother, but that was not true. She was kind to others, but treated me like the dirt under her feet. Brie's craft rules her while her hatred destroys me.“Why do you hate me so, Briella?”
Her sister said nothing in return, only continued to murmur enchantments over the demon in her bed. Briella’s crusade to save him would doom them both. To bring his kind into the village was akin to a death wish. Briella might be spared by the elders, banished perhaps, but she the lesser twin with power so dark she dared not use it would be put to death for the crime.
Ari felt the pain of betrayal slick over her heart like ice. One day I will show you just how wicked I can be, sister.
Ireland-Fall 1009
“Arianne! Help me!”
Ari placed the sachet she’d been filling with lavender on the old oak table and hurried to open the door. The cottage she shared with her twin Briella was small, just big enough for the two of them. The main room held a large hearth for cooking and preparing medicinal herbs. There were two other rooms for sleeping.
She watched Brie struggle to get through the open doorway with a large man leaning on her small frame. Another stray. Where had she found this one?
Rushing to help her sister, Ari wedged her shoulder under his other arm to take some of the weight off Brie. Dark, delicious power punched into her with the contact. Dizzy with lust for it, her magic began pulling on his of its own accord and scared the hell of her. She was always very carefully controlled--never had her power acted alone. Faerie. The demon did not stir. Fear of what he was, what he could make her, made her lash out with venom “Really, sister. You bring home the most interesting creatures. You do realize he is faerie.”
“Arianne! It matters not what he is, just help me get him into my room.”
She felt Brie’s urgency and terror as strongly as the faerie’s power. As a rule, she wasn’t empathic, but today proved different. The man’s body was torn; seawater made his wounds a vicious ache. His suffering became hers. Giving up, Ari knew it would do no good to argue with her sister. Nothing would change. “The villagers will lynch us before nightfall. What has happened with him anyway? His clothes are shredded.”
“As is much of his flesh. Mayhap you should direct your eyes elsewhere, sister.”
“I’ve seen naked men before.”
“You have no shame. Do you? I think he must have been tossed overboard in a storm or something of the like. I found him washed up on the sand and rocks below the dance. I thought he was dead at first. His heartbeat is faint, weak, but there. I suppose we will have to wait until he wakes to discover the nature of his injuries.”
She managed to avoid breaking most of the urns as they struggled to get their patient into Brie’s room. Turning sideways, they made it through the small doorway and crouched down to angle and shift his shoulders onto the straw mattress where Brie slept. “So you floated him up the cliff, but couldn’t use the air to carry and lift him inside.”
“Normally I would have.”
“Then why waste the energy to carry him? He will probably die anyway.”
Briella turned on her, eyes snapping open with barely contained anger. “Mayhap the next bones I find on the sand will be your own and I might consider your words before stirring the air.”
“Sure and I might be doomed to die on the rocks, sister, but only if you pushed me over the edge first.”
“My craft forbids the like, but oh how there are days I wished I were more like your wicked self.” She paused to lift his feet onto the mattress. “I am weak. I linked with him to save his life. It drains me.”
Wicked, am I? Ari shook her head. Not that she had the power to sacrifice herself, but she would have never done such a thing. “Little fool. Keep giving so much of yourself and one day there will be nothing left. Then what use will your almighty power be?”
“I could not let him die.”
“Why not? Others have died in your care. More may yet. We will be put to death when the elders learn he is here. You risk our lives for a dalliance with the devil?”
“Stop being a child. He will be important to me. I can feel it. Fetch some boiling water. I need to clean his wounds.”
Fetch me some water, Arianne. Do this. Do that. “I am not your bloody dog to fetch for you on a whim.”
“True. A dog would be obedient and more pleasant to be around. Water. Now!”
“Fine.” Five minute’s difference and Brie’s power would have been mine. The elders thought she was like our sainted mother, but that was not true. She was kind to others, but treated me like the dirt under her feet. Brie's craft rules her while her hatred destroys me.“Why do you hate me so, Briella?”
Her sister said nothing in return, only continued to murmur enchantments over the demon in her bed. Briella’s crusade to save him would doom them both. To bring his kind into the village was akin to a death wish. Briella might be spared by the elders, banished perhaps, but she the lesser twin with power so dark she dared not use it would be put to death for the crime.
Ari felt the pain of betrayal slick over her heart like ice. One day I will show you just how wicked I can be, sister.
Friday, June 22, 2012
Friday - How She Does It - Brynna Curry
Thanks so much for allowing me to visit with you!
2. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific process?
I start with dialogue. My characters are very vocal, but setting the scene is something I agonize over. Every detail has to be just so and work with the next and previous scene without being jarring, unless I want it to do that. I probably spend more time researching setting than anything other aspect of the book.
3. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end? Characters come first and I never model a character after someone I know in life. There may be bits and pieces of similarities, but never a carbon copy. If it is a series book, then of course some things must be planned, but I like to just see how it all unfolds.
4. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?
Always. I write the last scene first because its usually the first one I see and where I'm introduced to the hero and heroine, but the characters decide how we get to that destination.
5. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around? The Elemental Magic Series is set in Alabama (where I live) with side trips to DC, Tennessee, Ireland and Scotland. I've lived in Tennessee and Mississippi, visited Georgia, Florida and D.C. I like including local settings in my work. It's just too beautiful in the South not to share the scenery.
6. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?
At home or work and mostly online. My local library has a limited collection of research material and I can get more up to date information by seeking it online. It really just depends on what I'm looking for.
7. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why?
So much of what I write hinges on how the story plays out, so I write and edit as I go. Otherwise, I'd never get anything finished.
Author Bio: Paranormal romance and romantic suspense author Brynna Curry is a lifelong believer in the importance of reading. She enjoys the writing process, helping others hone their craft by lending her time to review books, critique manuscripts and serving as a contest judge. She loves hearing from her readers.
When she isn’t writing, she’s often found haunting the library for new books to read, at the park with her children, or just spending an quiet evening at home with her husband Jackie watching old westerns on TV. She makes her home in North Alabama where the history is rich with music and culture, forests and lakes are abundant and beautiful, and every day is another adventure.
Visit her at www.brynnacurry.com.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brynna-Curry/123687767669232
Twitter: @BrynnaCurry http://twitter.com/#!/brynnacurry
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Brynna-Curry/e/B0043WRLUS
B&N.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/brynna-curry
Sony: http://ebookstore.sony.com/author/brynna-curry_135783
Brynna Curry
Let me cast a spell on you...www.brynnacurry.com
2. How do you create your characters? Do you have a specific process?
I start with dialogue. My characters are very vocal, but setting the scene is something I agonize over. Every detail has to be just so and work with the next and previous scene without being jarring, unless I want it to do that. I probably spend more time researching setting than anything other aspect of the book.
3. Do your characters come before the plot? Do you sketch out your plot or do you let the characters develop the route to the end? Characters come first and I never model a character after someone I know in life. There may be bits and pieces of similarities, but never a carbon copy. If it is a series book, then of course some things must be planned, but I like to just see how it all unfolds.
4. Do you know how the story will end before you begin? In a general way or a specific one?
Always. I write the last scene first because its usually the first one I see and where I'm introduced to the hero and heroine, but the characters decide how we get to that destination.
5. Do you choose settings you know or do you have books of settings and plans of houses sitting around? The Elemental Magic Series is set in Alabama (where I live) with side trips to DC, Tennessee, Ireland and Scotland. I've lived in Tennessee and Mississippi, visited Georgia, Florida and D.C. I like including local settings in my work. It's just too beautiful in the South not to share the scenery.
6. Where do you do your research? On line or from books?
At home or work and mostly online. My local library has a limited collection of research material and I can get more up to date information by seeking it online. It really just depends on what I'm looking for.
7. Are you a draft writer or do you revise as you go along and why?
So much of what I write hinges on how the story plays out, so I write and edit as I go. Otherwise, I'd never get anything finished.
Author Bio: Paranormal romance and romantic suspense author Brynna Curry is a lifelong believer in the importance of reading. She enjoys the writing process, helping others hone their craft by lending her time to review books, critique manuscripts and serving as a contest judge. She loves hearing from her readers.
When she isn’t writing, she’s often found haunting the library for new books to read, at the park with her children, or just spending an quiet evening at home with her husband Jackie watching old westerns on TV. She makes her home in North Alabama where the history is rich with music and culture, forests and lakes are abundant and beautiful, and every day is another adventure.
Visit her at www.brynnacurry.com.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Brynna-Curry/123687767669232
Twitter: @BrynnaCurry http://twitter.com/#!/brynnacurry
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Brynna-Curry/e/B0043WRLUS
B&N.com: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/c/brynna-curry
Sony: http://ebookstore.sony.com/author/brynna-curry_135783
Brynna Curry
Let me cast a spell on you...www.brynnacurry.com
Thursday, June 21, 2012
Thursday - Who I'm Reading - Joan Hall Hovey
I'll admit to reading suspense and liking it. Lately I've been reading Joan Hovey and she writes suspense that has you biting your nails. So far I've read Chill Waters, so far my very favorite of them all. Her heroine doesn't give up but neither do any of her other heroines. Nowhere To Hide is a great revenge story and a chilling read. The Abduction of Mary Rose interested me because of the subject of adoption and finding roots. I have an adopted daughter and we have no idea of her roots. I've also read Listen to the Shadows and there's one more on my reading list to go. I'll read it soon and become so rapt in the prose and the suspense I'll probably scream is someone says hello. I've heard she's writing a new one and I'll buy it to.
If you like suspense, pick up one of Joan's books and you'll become addicted. When I've read throuh all the books on my Kindle, I'll re-read these books and see what I can learn about developing suspense from a master.
If you like suspense, pick up one of Joan's books and you'll become addicted. When I've read throuh all the books on my Kindle, I'll re-read these books and see what I can learn about developing suspense from a master.
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