Thursday, June 4, 2015

Character of the Week: Claudette from Trajectory


Trajectory is a short story of mine about a Police sniper named Joe Davis. Joe's life encompasses all that is good and all that is bad in humanity. Claudette is his rock.



Claudette is French-Canadian. Born in Quebec, Claudette's life was deeply enriched by the French Canadian culture, languages, art, and her family. She was surrounded by people and places that influenced her heavily. She was fortunate to experience all art forms, and to live a life most people only dreamed of. She was told she could do or be whatever she chose. She took that to heart. She found her passion for painting when she was sixteen. Within a year, she had won awards and some notoriety. She studied art tremendously in Canada, but she wanted more. So at the age of twenty, she moved to Detroit, where she studied art at Cranbrook.




She was a true artist: free-flowing, free-thinking, and very independent. While in school, she painted to make money. Whether it was painting your living room or your family portrait, she was happy to paint. She lived alone and did as she pleased.


She and Joe met by chance in a cafe. He went in to enjoy a cup of his favorite coffee when he saw her painting the scene around them. He told her he liked her work. Once he looked into her eyes, he was completely infatuated.


The couple had a rather unusual relationship. He a cop and she an artist, they both enjoyed their freedom. Through their three year romance, they each maintained their own apartments. Their relationship was built on autonomy and respect. Neither judged the other for what they did, and they were allowed to fully be themselves.


In Joe, Claudette found stability and reason to balance out her artistic whims. She found someone who allowed her to live her own life, but still include her in his. For her, their relationship was the perfect balance - the perfect yin and yang.


As time progressed, Claudette yearned to have a family of her own. Coming from a small, close-knit family, Claudette wanted to share that experience with Joe. Despite his work, he would have been the perfect husband and father. The only problem was that he did not want children.



The couple discussed the topic at length. Claudette brightened Joe's life in a way that no one else could. Neither wanted the relationship to end, but family became too important of a topic for her to continue to wait.



Unable to sever ties completely, Claudette continued to take care of Gertrude, Joe's cat, when necessary. His door was always open to her, hers always open to him.


Though she loved him dearly, Claudette was far stronger in her independence than Joe. One fateful and tragic event, though, brings them back together...potentially forever.



Claudette is such a strong, mysterious woman. I love her independence and sense of self. She has such tremendous depth. She is a character who is beautiful both inside and out. Her story with Joe is unlike anything else I've ever written. I think you will find it to be an interesting and unique read.


Favorite quote from Claudette: “Go to Gertrude. She will give you all the guidance you need. Go
home. Be in your own environment. Be where you belong. Then the answers will come to you.”

Happy reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Trajectory-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B004VS2GP4/ref=sr_1_8?ie=UTF8&qid=1426894069&sr=8-8&keywords=lauren+shiro


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