Sometimes when I start to write a
blog, I worry that people may think I’m crazy, and in some ways, I guess I am.
After all, I do hear voices.
Wait; don’t leave, hear me out… If
you are an author, you understand this hopefully, and if you are an avid reader
on Twitter or Facebook, you’ve probably heard this too. If you are just a
random passerby, please let me know how you found this blog. ☺
Anyway, I don’t hear audible voices,
but yes, I honestly feel as if my characters take on a life of their own. I try
to write three hours every morning, and then right before I go to bed, I reread
everything I wrote that morning, highlighting any errors or editing needs. Yes,
this is a great way to edit as you go, but also, those two or three chapters I
read right before I go to bed play out in my dreams now. Just as a movie you
just watched will play out in your head, now your last scene is left hanging
for the characters to come alive.
Does that sound crazy? Well, it gets better,
and I actually made the mistake of mentioning this to my non-fiction writing
husband—I guess his characters don’t talk to him. So there I was writing a
scene yesterday—that I had thought about the previous night, so I knew exactly what I
was going to write. My male protagonist was very definitive of what he wanted
the female protagonist to do. In fact, he gave her explicit direction. So she
walked off as he’d requested, but at the last second, she turned around and did
exactly what he—okay…I told her not to do. Really! I had no idea. But the next thing
I know, my fingers are typing a different outcome, and then the crowd around
her cheered.
All right, so now you’re looking for
that straight jacket. I’ll give you a hint; it’s pink. And my best friend in writing, MJ Kane, will be laughing right along with me because we've already discussed this, and hers is purple.
Until next time, happy reading!
Carmen
Until next time, happy reading!
Carmen
A little about what I write.
A writer of modern-day
fairytales, my stories overflow with romance, mystery, suspense, and of course,
tragedy. After all, what would a fairytale be without a tragic event setting
the stage? All of my novels are sensual, but not erotic, gripping but not graphic
and will make you cry, laugh, love, and hope.
My first two novels, She Belongs to Me and Land of the Noonday Sun, have reached bestseller
status right alongside Nicholas Sparks, J.D. Robb, and other great authors. My new
releases, Entangled Dreams and When Noonday Ends are now available.
My novels are all
standalones; however, I do link each of my stories with a little surprise. If
you read out of order, you'll never notice. But if you read in order, it's
fun.
Romantic-Suspense
Novels
First release - December 2011:
After secrets and a mysterious background leave a wife’s life
hanging by a thread, a husband must look for answers in the only place he
knows—the past.
Second Release - May 2012
Book I of the Nantahala Series
When two strangers have nothing left but their dreams, they must
forge a relationship in Nantahala, North Carolina, a small town known as Land
of the Noonday Sun.
Third Release - September 2012
When Alexandra’s choices dissolve into Entangled Dreams, pushing
her down a dark and dismal path, she must trust her instincts to escape danger,
but be able to surrender all to find her happily ever after. Knowing how to
decipher the difference, will be her toughest challenge.
Fourth Release – December 2012
When a new attorney accepts a case of a woman accused of attempted
murder, he finds himself entwined in age-old secrets and a family who will stop
at nothing to conceal them—even murder.
Series of Mini-Mysteries with a
Paranormal Edge
First
Short Story — October 2012
When
what seems like a normal pit stop turns to more than just gas and food, a lost
couple finds themselves searching for the truth of a twenty-year-old mystery
that may cost them their life.
Second
Short Story — January 2013
They say The Depot is haunted. But in all the years homicide detective Mark
Waters has visited the old train station turned restaurant, he’s never seen
proof. Until now.
Find in print and eBook formats:
Until
next time, happy reading, friends!
I
love talking about all things books, so please connect with me via one of the
links below.
LOL! This is so the conversation we had yesterday!!! My book three characters have been talking to me all night. It's time to start writing their story and you know how I do, love scenes always seem to come first! Don't ask me why. Since last night - they should be exhausted by now - it's been which one works best. Then, I start at the beginning and write how they got there. Hey Carmen, do you think they'll let us share a padded room? Pink and purple go compliment each other!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Probably not. Make sure you have coffee before you write those scenes, MJ. It sounds as though it was an exhausting night. :)
DeleteMy name is Cheryl, and I hear voices, too. I am comforted to know others suffer this affliction! LOL
ReplyDeleteLOL!
DeleteI take medicine so I don't hear voices, LOL! They still speak when I'm writing. Or just before I start. Some people dream their books/scenes/characters but not me. They live right in front of me on the screen.
ReplyDeleteI think it's a necessity, P.I. As long as the drugs aren't hindering the creative juices, whatever works. LOL!
DeleteAt least I'm not the only one to hear the voices of inspiration. Loved this post. My husband will ask me if I'm on the phone when I'm working on my stories. He hears me carrying on a conversation, but what I'm doing is saying out loud the chatter between my characters to see if it sounds believabale.
ReplyDeleteHaha, Marie! I understand! Today I had to physically act out a scene to make sure it was possible. Luckily my 15yo son is artistic and understands my craziness. He even allowed me to use him as a prop. :)
DeleteCan I get a royal blue jacket? I love this! And totally understand. My non-reader husband just nods as eyes glaze over. Right now my secondary character is taking over my current book and I'm loving it...and have no idea where is going. And that's just fine because I fell in love with him and he can take me anywhere.
ReplyDeleteSure! We're taking orders. LOL!
DeleteOne of my characters talked themselves into another story too. My beta made me do it because she felt bad for them.
Glad you enjoyed post; I figured writers could relate. :)