Am I? Am I “a character?” Well, my mom always said I am. Someone would ask about my character and that’s what she’d say. “Oh, she’s a character all right.” So, there you have it. Easiest answer of them all.
Sigh.
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Okay, so that’s not the actual question. Joy really asked, “What is the character most like you?”
It’s a tough question. See, if you said, “What parts of you are in what characters?” I’d absolutely have an easy time answering it. I love to smock (and look a little) like Grace, write like Annis (from The Course, and–can’t believe I’m saying this, but–I think I’d actually like to teach like her).
I have a bit of Andi’s (from Volition) stubborn opinions and Alexa’s “couldn’t care less what the world thinks” attitude (she shows it in her wardrobe etc.).
I have Willow’s (although, I’ve learned to temper it better) tendency to say what I think. Frankly, if you don’t want my opinion, please don’t ask for it. You’re likely to hear what you don’t want to.
While not exactly how Aggie does it, I do tend to sing when I need to steady myself or when I want to feel close to Dad if I’m missing him.
Since none of that helped me discovered which character is most like me, I asked others.
My assistant, Christy, says I’m Jonathan in Speak Now. Obviously, not the “no talking” part, because I tend to fill awkward silences with a lot of rambling nonsense. I’m shy, and it’s a coping mechanism I never grew out of (although, I am better). She says the way he does say things and how he thinks–his voice–is very like me. I can see that. Funny thing is, I came up with Dean from Corner Booth. My other character who didn’t have as much to say. Well, he did. He just didn’t say it. I see a lot of me in Dean. The propensity to talk too much, the need to fix problems, and the habit of fixing one problem by swinging to the opposite extreme. His arrogance, alas… sigh.
But the character I IDENTIFY with most would definitely be the dual-personality of Dani/Ella in None So Blind.
So… there you have it. Me in a literary bag of nuts (because I don’t literatively or metaphorically fit in any shell).
Thank you, Joy for a fabulous question! I’m zipping you an Amazon Gift Card sometime today. Remember, if you send me an Author Q&A question and I use it, I will send that gift card as my thanks for playing along. Have a great day!
I love getting free things especially books, since I live feed to read, but I could not wait so I went on Amazon last week and bought all the rest of the volumes of Past and Present. Oh but what a deal !! Thank you so.much for writing such lovely get lost in the pages kinda books. Be blessed and happy traveling. Alas you will. not be in the beautiful mountains of western Maryland so I will miss you.
Must add Maryland to the travel list sometimes!
I’ve appreciate reading how you’ve handled “touchy” topics in your books. Is there a topic you feel strongly about but would never ever explore in your novels?
Carol, I actually do have quite a few. I often touch just slightly on them, but I won’t explore them because I don’t see how adding further division on topics is edifying and encouraging to the body of Christ. I believe that those topics SHOULD be explored. They’re important. But I won’t. I’m not the one to do it. Eschatology is one that I can’t ever see myself getting into. I’ve seen it destroy friendships!
Question….
Some of your characters have had some frightening moments. What is the most bone chilling experience you’ve had personally, and is that what you draw from in your books?
Mine was a very horribly personal experience that no woman wants to go through and was compounded by my fear of killing the woman next door if I screamed for help. Silly, but she had a heart condition and I WAS POSITIVE that she’d die of fright. I was young, okay? LOL. God did beautiful things through it, so that works.
But no, I draw from what I’ve seen in others and what I think I’d feel in that situation. WEll, if I were normal. I am not a fearful person at all, so I tend to have a hard time relating to fear. Of course, now that I say that, God will give me chances to expand my horizons in that area!
Chautona, I’m looking forward to learning more about them! Especially Volition. Is it a sci-fi?
It’s in the Sci-fi family. It’s more futuristic than Sci-fi, though. No space… just time. 😉
None So Blind….my favorite book! Still waiting for the sequel! 😀
I’m with Flo on The Course and Volition. I thought I had all your books, but I don’t recognize those titles. Please enlighten us! 🙂
Flo and Emily, Volition is a futuristic book about Rockland that is done but needs rewriting. It’s not on the site anywhere because it’s not ready for publication. The Course is about 1/3 done and is something I treat myself with when I need a break from the current work in progress. I just finished plotting it out on the recorder though–all the holes are filled, so it might get put in the real lineup now!
‘scuse me …. What is “The Course” and “Volition”? Have I missed something?? AND fitting in shells is for oysters, clams and snails 🙂
I still have 3 under 18 (one only for a few months, but still). But I do write children’s books–just not as many as adult books.
I have picture books planned (Willow’s childhood is a series in progress, but my illustrator for it is a busy man, so I have to wait on him.
Phone “fixed” my message… Your children are grown!
when you’re children are grown & gone, will you feel compelled to write Children’s books… You know, for grandchildren to read…