Writers - Has this ever happened to you?
Readers – Do you think this sounds crazy?
Well, crazy or not, this is what happened to me while beginning to write my latest novel.
Keep in mind, this novel is the third in a series set during the War of 1812, so I know these characters, I know this setting, I know what needs to happen in this book. But my characters refused to let me write it!
Thankfully, they let me plot the outline of the book, but forget about writing from their points of view.
Why would they do that?
To understand, you must first know my heroine. She did something bad in the first book of this series. Thus, she needed me to figure out why she would do such a terrible thing so I can redeem her in this book. She really does want people to know why she did what she did and offer her forgiveness. Hence, only after I could appreciate what would have possessed her to behave in such a way did she allow me to begin having the fun job of watching her work through her problems, make amends and get her happily ever after.
Ah, a big sigh of relief. Yay! Now I can finally write.
Nope.
About fifteen pages in my hero put on the brakes. He refused to participate until I figured out his entire back story. And boy does he have a part of his past that I was missing that he is seriously running away from. No wonder why he understands my heroine like no one else. They’re perfect for each other, even if they don’t realize it.
But regardless, they’ve finally given me the green light to explore their relationship so they can get past what haunts them, solve the boundless conflicts they find themselves faced with and eventually arrive at a future they can enjoy—together.
Finally, we'll all have a happy ending :) And I do love those!
Here's hoping you have a wonderful day!
Blessings,
Eva
Eva Maria Hamilton is the author of Highland Hearts, a Love Inspired Historical novel published by Harlequin. Her novel, Highland Hearts, won 2nd Place in the Historical Romance, as well as the Traditional/Inspirational Romance Categories in the Heart of Excellence Reader’s Choice Awards, and was an Inspirational Series Finalist in the 2013 Gayle Wilson Award of Excellence.
Highland Hearts
Scotland 1748
The Battle of Culloden is over, but one Highlander’s fight has just begun…
Logan McAllister survived years of indentured servitude in the Americas to reach this moment. Now he’s returned to Scotland, ready to redeem the secret promise from Sheena Montgomery’s father – that his years as an indentured servant would earn him Sheena’s hand in marriage. But when he arrives home, he learns that Sheena’s father has died, his contract has been lost… and Sheena is engaged to another man.
To connect with Eva Maria Hamilton online, please visit her at www.evamariahamilton.com
The Battle of Culloden is over, but one Highlander’s fight has just begun…
Logan McAllister survived years of indentured servitude in the Americas to reach this moment. Now he’s returned to Scotland, ready to redeem the secret promise from Sheena Montgomery’s father – that his years as an indentured servant would earn him Sheena’s hand in marriage. But when he arrives home, he learns that Sheena’s father has died, his contract has been lost… and Sheena is engaged to another man.
To connect with Eva Maria Hamilton online, please visit her at www.evamariahamilton.com
Oh, Eva, I can sooo relate. My characters have been holding me in a straight jacket for a month! So glad your pair have finally revealed themselves to you. I'm hoping I've finally got mine figured out, too, but...who knows? ;)
ReplyDeleteI hope they let you loose soon!
ReplyDeleteGlad they finally cooperated, Eva. Just thinking, if we shared things like this two centuries ago would we have ended up in a "lunatic asylum" for our own good?
ReplyDeleteProbably, Rita! lol Maybe that's why writers have always worked in isolation :)
ReplyDeleteEva, I can relate to your post, too! I'm redeeming a former bad boy hero in my current wip, and it's a challenge to show this on the page in a way that's empathetic from a reader perspective. I'm glad your characters are now cooperating :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I love it when you finally figure out that motivation and backstory etc so they cooperate. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat fun to be so in tune with your characters. That will make a great book. I remember the first time I happened to me. I thought my Hero was going to be sick in bed. I had lovely, romantic visions of my heroine sitting by the bedside holding his hand. He got up and put his boots on. "Get back in bed," I told him. "Hope, I'm going riding," he said. he did and it was, of course, exactly the right thing.
ReplyDeleteLove this post, Eva. No wonder our characters sometimes become more real than the people around us!
ReplyDelete