Charatcters

One of the most vital keys to any good story is/are the character(s). Who are they? What do they look like? What are their personalities? We all have characters in our lives: ourselves, our spouses/partners, children, relatives, friends, co-workers, etc. Just as these people can impact our lives, so can those characters impact your story.

So, where does one get inspiration for a character? Well, that varies by writer and story. For myself, I have used myself, my aspirations, people from my past and actors as my inspirations.

Let me break this down:

Loving Her

Linda: She is the woman I always wanted to be. A selfless, loving, attractive mechanic.

Katie: She is based off a girl I saw in a Pizza parlor in Philly one night. I actually have that girl to thank for inspiring me to write Loving Her. Anyway, I saw her and then I used my experience as an educator at U Penn for Katie.

Donna: She is strongly based off someone I used to work with, though her insecurities and attachments to people are very much like those of my own.

Liz: Liz is another woman I aspired to be. She's tall (I'm short), she's a professional dancer (I used to be a dancer, dance instructor & choreographer). She's very caring, but she has this great side that loves her big-ass pick up truck, as do I. I wanted to show that people can have real depth and even have what seem to be opposing tastes. I'm like that in real life, so why not her?

Jen: Jen is my shy side. Yep, believe it or not, this loud, out-spoken 'Rican has a quiet side. Jen is the perfect reflection of that part of me.

Maria: Maria is strongly based off of a friend & fellow Boricua (Puerto Rican female). She is fun, intelligent & not afraid to stand up for what she believes in. My inspiration is a great woman & friend and I tried to convey that in Maria as best I could.

Stephania: Stephania is a riot. I really had no concept of her personality until I started writing her into the story. She's out-spoken, caring, funny, creative, beautiful, and very unique. I really can't pinpoint any one person or thing to her, but she is someone you just have to love because of who she is and what she says!

Brynn: Brynn is an interesting one. She was not supposed to be a main character and then WOOPS! Oh well. I think we're all better off with Brynn in our lives. She's compassionate, level-headed, caring. She is "Jesse's Girl." The one we all wonder how we could get a woman like that. She really tied up the book beautifully, and I'm glad I gave her a voice.

Are the stories behind these ladies intriguing you? I sure hope so! For more info and to even purchase Loving Her for your holiday shopping, please go to Whispers of the Muse at http://whispersofthemuse.org/Home.htm


Ok, continuing on...

Unbreakable Hostage

Lareina: Lareina is my name in Spanish, and her surname is a family name. LOL. She is everything I am and then some. She's small and curvacious like me, but she's a real smart cookie. She has pure determination, sharp thinking, and a deep love for friends and family. I hope I would be like her should I ever find myself in that situation, but I'm not sure I am as quick witted as she.

Marc: Ahhh, Marc. I have to admit, he is based off a celebrity crush. Yes, I'll admit it. I have a thing for Jason Statham. I love the Transporter movies, what can I say? LOL. He is nothing more than a fantasy of having Jason Statham in the movie of Unbreakable Hostage! LOL.

Tony: Tony is based off someone in my past. Obviously, things have changed (to protect both the innocent and the guilty!) & have definitely been exaggerated, but this person was a good launching point for the creepy and controlling Tony.

Unbreakable Hostage is now up on storycasting.com! So, go there & cast your characters! You can cast Loving Her as well! Tell me who you would like to see play these characters - I'd love to hear your thoughts!

Imperfect (This is NOT the cover, folks!)

Carol: Carol is me. No, I'm not a computer guru, but her personality (workaholic, self-blaming, insecure) is completely, 100% ME. I don't apologize for that, either. Her demons are my demons (well, not all of her demons are my demons), but writing out a story with the main character having such similar issues to me was actually quite good for my soul.

Alex: Alex is an interesting character. I can't really pinpoint one specific person or trait for her. I knew she was a beautiful African woman, but her personality just grew as did the story. I always like it when I'm surprised by my characters.

So besides Jason Statham, who would I have play my characters? Loving Her is up on storycasting.com There you can see who I would cast (though not 100% because their data base of actors grows daily), as well as who some of my readers might cast. My other books will follow as well. So, check it out & let me know who you would like to see play my characters in a movie! :) Go to storycasting.com!

I hope this gives you an idea as to who my characters are, but also for your own story(-ies), to help you create depth and intrigue by using the people and situations around you for inspiration for characters.

Happy reading! :)