This is Day 5 of my Character Reveal series for my next book—title TBA soon. I’ll post a new character and a one-question T/F Quiz each Wednesday until I run out of characters. Those who comment most AND answer the most questions correctly will receive a signed book (bookplate sent separately–50 copies up for grabs) and a chance at 1 of 2 $10.00 Gift Certificates. NOTE THIS CHANGE: I started announcing winners at the end of each week, but that became tedious, so I’ll announce future winners toward the end of the Reveal. The books and the CG’s will be sent out upon publication. Sorry, but I can only send signed books to U.S. However, I can send an eBook to international winners.
To enter, leave a comment and type the answer to the quiz at the end of your comment (A, B, or C) I’ve left links to the previous post if you’re joining me late, so you can work your way back if you want to see the other posts and comment. Here’s last week’s POST.
Meet Libby’s Mom
Libby’s mom is a character I didn’t care for at first. She came across as a bit whiney and shallow. She’s a club lady who spends a lot of time with hair and nail appointments. She’s not a skier, and she seldom attends Libby’s meets. As the story develops, Mrs. Brown changes, and it becomes clear that her character arc parallels Libby’s, so a lot of how Libby changes is tied to her relationship with her mom.
When we first meet Mrs. Brown she and Libby are at odds, but once they’d been close and loving. What happened to create the great divide between them? Whose fault is it that they have nothing in common anymore? Mom knows the answers, but Libby must learn these answers if she’s to move ahead with her life.
Quiz: There have been many mother-daughter relationship threads in stories told over time. Here are three. Which of these is the most modern tale?
A. Pride and Prejudice
B. Book of Ruth
C. A Sicilian Romance
And now for The Insecure Writers’ Support Group First Wednesday Post
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG and hashtag is #IWSG.
Every month, we announce a question that members can answer in their IWSG post. These questions may prompt you to share advice, insight, a personal experience or story. Include your answer to the question in your IWSG post or let it inspire your post if you are struggling with something to say.
Remember, the question is optional!
July 7 question – What would make you quit writing?
The awesome co-hosts for the July 7 posting of the IWSG are Chemist Ken Pat Garcia,Victoria Marie Lees, andLouise – Fundy Blue!
When I started to answer this question this is what came into my mind: “If I didn’t find joy in writing anymore, I’d quit.” Of course, every writer knows that the writing process can be a lot of things, and often it is NOT joyful. But in the overall picture, it is. If you’re a writer, you’ve known the joy of a new idea or a breakthrough on a scene that you’ve been stuck on. You’ve probably jumped up and down (literally and figuratively) when the final edits are done or the cover art arrives. And I know everyone who has ever written knows the joy of holding your book. Ahh. You did it. So, yes. If that stops, that would make me quit writing.
RULES FOR SUBMISSION.
They’re simple but essential.
This is a chance for those who write SWEET ROMANCE, HAPPY EVER AFTER stories to shine.
Quote of the Month: “Getting that first draft out is a horribly hard grind, but that (perversely) is where the joy of it lies.” Jonathan Stroud
Well, A is the most recently published. (That’s a stretch on the word “recent”.)
It’s funny, but in my experience, a lot of people don’t really know their own parents all that well. Especially while they’re young.
So true. We only come to know our parents when we’re much older with a perspective of age and distance.
I like that you “arched” the Mom’s character. All characters need growth, it makes them so much more interesting.
Thanks for stopping by my blog.
Thanks for sharing your characters.
I like the idea of finding joy in writing or not.
Thanks for the quote.
I agree that the writing has to be satisfying in and of itself. There are so many things in life that are just plain work, so it’s nice to do something pleasurable, like writing 🙂
As frustrating as writing can be, there is so much joy in it too 🙂
Not sure about your question this week, Cheryl but I’m guessing C.
As far as mother-daughter relationships, I think they often can become quite complicated. I’ve been very lucky in both my relationship with my Mom and daughter but I’m sure there are or have been days when they both wondered what the heck is she doing? I think most Moms sincerely want what they think is best for their daughter………..although the daughter doesn’t agree!
In your character’s case, I’m wondering how they could have been close at one time, when Mrs. Brown seemed more interested in herself than her daughter.
What a unique method to get readers interested in reading your next release. Bravo! While I think the first Mom, Mrs. Bancroft seems like she grew up in a single parent environment [B], Mrs. Brown could be more like Pride and Prejudice [A]. All best to you, Lee!
Thanks for joining in Victoria. And thanks for playing the multiple-choice game with me.
Your “meet the characters” is a creative way to draw us into wanting to know more, read more. I’ll read some of your past posts to catch up. Been following you for some time and was reminded again through the IWSG. Blessings to you on your writing!
Thanks you so much, Diane. Glad you were reminded to get in touch again.
Love your “meet the characters.” Good quote, too!
It was fun and interesting to put the character sketches together. Glad you liked the quote.
What an excellent way of promoting your next book. I love it. I especially liked that you mentioned it isn’t always joyful writing. But life isn’t always joyful. We get through those rough times because we love being alive. And we love writing because it’s who we are. I like that we have that in common. My novels confront the parent/child relationship.
Thank you so much Joylene. You’ve said is so well…we write because that’s who we are! Those parent-child relationships are bottomless themes, aren’t they?
I like the way you’ve broken it down to the basics. Nice way of putting it. I know exactly what you mean.
Hi Yvette. Thanks for stopping in today!
That sounds really interesting, how Mrs. Brown’s journey will parallel and impact her daughter’s. Almost makes it feel a mystery, as Mrs. Brown already knows the issue, but Libby has to take her journey to find the answers.
I’m gonna guess the answer is C, but I’ve never actually heard of that one, so I’m not sure, haha.
Alexa
Don’t you love multiple choice? Thanks for jumping in and playing a bit with me.
Thos joyful moments make all the hard parts worthwhile. Although I don’t know the book, I’ll have to say the answer is C.
Check back, Nick. I’ll post answers to all of the questions at the end of the month.
I love the “meet the characters” sneak peek! This is a great tool that adds more depth, and less meaningless minutia to character development. I’m going to add this to my Scrivener template. (yes, Scrivener has a character template, but it doesn’t really drill down to the basics like this.)
I’ll never stop writing, even if it just means daily journaling about what a PITA the world has become. Not that I’m bitter. 🤣
I hear nothing but good things about Scrivener. I’m not sure why I’m dragging my feet on adopting it.
Glad you’re in the “never stopping” camp.
I love your sneak peaks! It seems so common for mothers and daughters to at least have a period of time where they grow apart, maybe this is how it is supposed to be so they want to leave the nest, but it sure is difficult to experience!
I would say the answer is A.
Yes, I’m sure it’s a natural process. The best scenario would be having them reunite and become even closer after that separation.
Thanks Clem for the sneak peeks over the last month and Congratulations on your new publication. Take care and wishing you an inspiring summer of writing and promotion. Reaping the fruits of all that hard work.
Thanks, Susan. Some fresh fruit would be very nice indeed.
True, if that kind of joy ever ceased it would be time to quit.
love your promo contest! and nice meeting your characters. i’m so curious what the title is!
Tara Tyler Talks
I’m waiting until I’m sure the publisher wants it as is before I give it a title.
Ah, the ups and downs of mothers and daughters. I have no idea of the answer, so I’ll guess C.
Thanks for the guess. I’ll post the answers to these questions at the end of the reveal.
Don’t have a clue about the question BUT I do like the idea of a quiz, she said quizzically! Thank you for stopping by my blog. May the writing continue!
Thanks, Beth. I’m glad this question evoked so many interesting responses.
Nice to meet Libby’s mom! I like that their character arcs parallel each other – that’s really cool.
I doubt that authors will ever run out of ideas for stories about mothers and daughters.
I’ll be so ready when I have the manuscript, cover, blurb, and formatting finished. I can imagine it’s all the little things an indie author has to do that wears them out, not the writing.
I think so. That’s why I’ve stopped after going it alone after being Indie on two of my middle grade books.
I’m going with B) The Book of Ruth, Lee. I’m looking forward to learning more about your new book! Horribly hard grind is where my writing is right now, but I’m grinding. Have a good one!
I love the sound of grinding! It’s the sound of industry! Please continue.
I couldn’t trace you back to your site but only via IWSG’s FB page! So here I am!
I believe the answer to your quiz is A, but I really do love the Book of Ruth. <3
♥.•*¨Elizabeth Mueller¨*•.♥
Of course, I work at being as obscure as possible. I wouldn’t want just anyone popping in. I hope you find that a humorous, tongue-in-cheek remark and not snarky. I’m not sure why I remain in the backwaters of the blog-o-sphere, but at some point, I should figure it out.
Okay I’m clueless on the character question, but I’m going to guess C:)
Have a great reading/writing day:)
Yay! I finally asked a question that wasn’t so obvious. I’m not a good test writer anymore.
For me, joy is not as much in the writing process as in the imagining the story, coming up with the characters’ actions and challenges and dialog. And that is beyond my control half-the-time. My characters just start talking in my head, and suddenly a story crystallizes. Whether I type it down on my keyboard or write it down on paper, the story is there.
Perversely, when I don’t have a story or characters in my head, I feel grumpy. I need them to feel whole.
Authoring is a huge responsibilty, isn’t it? It’s like giving life to “people” who otherwise wouldn’t exist.
I don’t think I could stop writing if I tried. It’s always there in my head.
It’s that sassy character of yours, Carol! She’s the reason you can’t stop. 🙂
Writing is my therapy, but I’m having trouble finding time for it. Hopefully, now that I’m settled into the new house, that will change.
Hope so. Moving is so exhausting.
Writing is a journey, a rollercoaster one, with ups and downs. Nobody said it would be easy. Gotta take the highs and the lows.
Is the answer Book Of Ruth? Just a guess.
I can do the writing rollercoaster. I can’t do the mechanical ones. Of course, the former is much more dangerous.
Good question and I have no idea. Doesn’t matter. I will be buying your next book when it’s available. Woot!
I think I finally hit on a question that was challenging, and I did it by accident!
Writing without joy would make me want to quit too!
Thumbs up!
Writing definitely has its ups and downs, but I think in the end, it always brings me joy.
I suppose we could say that one of its attractions is the up part. Of course, you can’t go up if you don’t also go the other direction.
What an interesting contest you have going on! Excellent marketing ploy.
I can’t imagine not writing. If ever I feel uninspired, I write about that.
Thanks for the motivation!
A great solution to not being inspired! Thank YOU for the idea!
Joy is important and sweeter the harder it is to achieve. Or that’s what I keep telling myself. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
You’re right, Anna. If it’s too easy, there’s no challenge and not really worth doing. Writing will never fall into that category.
I am loving these glimpses of your characters – one of your biggest strengths.
A trick question this week?
If you are referring to novels, then B. Since I consider the Bible to often be a novel, than A.
And mother and daughter relations are as old as we are. Often fraught relationships. From a personal perspective I wanted to become my mother – and than was afraid I would.
I am very, very glad that writing gives at least some authors joy. Their work brings this reader bucket loads of it.
Thank you for being such a great supporter–of writers and of this blog. It’s always a treat to read your comments.
I guess this is a trick question, but I didn’t set out to make it one. I think I’ll blame it on inattention to detail.
There have been plenty of times I’ve been on hiatus from writing, due to depression or writer’s block, but I always knew I’d eventually return. My break from writing will only become permanent when my soul leaves my body, but I hope I’ll be a writer in my future lifetimes as well.
I’ve heard a lot of writers say that the only way they’d quit creating stories is when they die. I wonder how many accountants would say that. 🙂
You make a good point. There are plenty of unjoyful times during writing, but as long as that overall joy is there, I’ll keep going.
Thanks. Glad we agree.
Hi, Cheryl-Lee!
It’s clear to me that you have thoroughly fleshed out the characters of your next book and figured out the best way to convey an understanding of the relationship dynamics. Given your skill at titling and selecting cover art, I am certain it is going be a great success.
Regarding this month’s question, apart from a family crisis or severe medical setback, I can’t imagine myself giving up writing. It is fun and satisfying to create characters that bring forth facets of my personality that I wouldn’t feel comfortable revealing otherwise.
Happy July to you, dear friend Cheryl-Lee!
Now you revealed another author secret (well, maybe it’s not so secret). We show a lot of who we are in our stories, don’t we?
Fingers crossed on the cover art on this one. It might be tricky.
You just can’t lose that joy. It’s a high only a writer understands.
Absolutely.
Quiz answer: B, if you mean the novel. But if you mean the biblical story, then A.
As for what would make me quit writing: probably nothing short of the dirt nap. The bigger question is what will make me start publishing.
Of course, you’d find a unique way of expressing The End, Mike! LOL
There must be joy and happiness in writing. 🙂
I think the most modern tale might be Pride and Prejudice.
Those feelings make for a better life.
I would quit writing if I didn’t feel the joy of writing anymore too. Though it’s important to distinguish between and temporary and permanent loss of the joy. The answer is Pride and Prejudice.
Oh, yes. There are always those dips, aren’t their?
I agree with you on the Joy of writing – even when it’s hard, it’s fun!
I don’t know the answer (haven’t read these) so I’m going to guess Pride & Prejudice 🙂
I suppose if it came easily, that would make writing less interesting, too.
That first draft is never a joy for me.
Don’t know the three stories so can’t hazard a guess this time.
It is a struggle the first time around a story.
Hi,
I agree. If I didn’t find any joy in writing, I wouldn’t be writing. In fact, I wouldn’t be breathing. Writing is a great part of living for me.
Answer to question: I am going to choose C because Naomi was not the mother of Ruth and I am not sure about Pride and Prejudice even though I have read it.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Hi Pat. Nicely put.