The layers of the writer, not the writing

In pursuit of improving my craft, I have been diving into the thoughts from a range of different authors to find out how they produce better stories.

One thing I found common to many of them is an idea that our writing should have different layers, and the deeper we go into them, the more engaging our stories will be.

I’ve read about going to deeper layers within characters. Readers will care about a character with depth, who has quirks and foibles not unlike their own. As the story progresses, they reveal more of themselves that the reader can embrace.

I’ve also read about the deep layers of plot. There is an intricate art to weaving subplots in, through and under the main storyline so there is something there for the reader to sink their teeth into.

There are layers of research, whereby authors don’t just check the spelling of the place name or breed of horse. They know what their story setting sounds like, smells like and feels like. They go deeper into finding out where their stories are set.

Lastly, I’ve read about the layering of scenes, so it’s not just a mad scramble from the opening line to the final phrase. Instead, the scene itself takes the reader deeper into the character’s dilemma.

I’ve embraced this advice and all of them have deepened my writing.

But I’ve been challenged beyond this. There is another level of layering that really makes a story deeper and more engaging.

It’s going deeper into the author. Me. You.

I’ve been challenged by God to respond to this. To not just provide a story that has deeper layers in and of itself, but to look at the layers of myself so my story will go deeper for my reader.

These are the layers I’ve been looking at:

1. My mind. I’m a pretty cerebral, rational guy and I live in my head most of the time.  I’m comfortable at this level. So when I write stories that are only at this layer, they might be observational but it’s still surface. It’s like reporting on a news channel.  Stories should go deeper than that.
2. My experience. I’ve found that writing from my experience takes the story another level deeper again, when I convey through my characters that I know the wrenching grief of what it’s like to lose a grandfather, or the heart-pounding sprint to catch a flight. It’s another layer again and drives the reader deeper into the story. But I’ve been challenged to take my stories deeper than that.
3. My heart. I could take the already-signposted route and claim that as an Aussie bloke this is the element of writing I’ll probably struggle with the most. But I’m surprised by how many other authors struggle with this; bloke or not, Aussie or not.  Peeling away the onion-like layers of mind and experience, and connecting with what you feel – in a tangible, real way for readers and putting it on the page – is scary and confronting. Writing from the heart draws readers even deeper into the story we’ve created. I’ve noticed with my own reading, this is where I connect with characters because I can see the passion bleeding through the words on the page. The author has gone beyond that they think or know, and has dared to put on the page what they feel. But there is another layer deeper than that.
4. My soul. This deepest layer is where I want to be.  I don’t mean by this that all Christian authors instantly turn into writers who produce sermons dressed up as fiction, but to me, writing from the soul is not just writing what you think, know or feel – it’s writing from who you are. It’s the essence of you.  I’ve read stories recently where there is almost something primal about connecting with someone on that level. I love a good plot twist and clever turn-of-phrase more than the next person, but when I read James L Rubart’s The Five Times I met Myself, I was drawn in by the fact that this wasn’t just Jim’s words on the page, it was Jim himself.

So I’ve been challenged not just to go deeper into the layers of the writing, but more into the layers of the writer. 

In my reading, I can see how this writing is the best and it’s a challenge that I’m working towards.  How about you?

PS: Speaking of layers, I've just launched my eNewsletter, which will be looking at the idea of diving deeper into reading, into writing and into life.  If you'd like to subscribe - https://davidrawlings.com.au/how-to-get-in-contact/ - I'll send you a short story I wrote called The Funeral. It's another take on a life event we've all experienced.

About David Rawlings

Based in Adelaide, South Australia, I am a sports-mad, married father-of-three with my own copywriting/communication business who reads everything within an arm’s reach. I can see a typo from across the room and always – always – make sure my text messages are grammatically correct.

Oh, and I love cooking, comedy and surfing. Over 25 years, I’ve made writing my career and paid the bills with words. It’s not a big leap from the six-year-old writing short stories instead of doing homework.

www.davidrawlings.com.au

SCATTERPLOTS

Where have all my stories gone ?

I admit I just coined that word because that’s what is going through my head nowadays. Is it just me or is it some sort of reaction to editing over and over ad nauseam?

It is ridiculous how many ideas for plots are flitting through my overloaded brain. And I end up discarding every single one of them.  Just when I think I’ve got the one…it peters out. Is this brain drain?

I should be writing a helpful post, but thought I’d share this to see if any other authors have had this happen to them. I have written six full length historical romances – four published with two looking for a home - but I thought I had more to give. I’d hate to think I have dried up.

Is it because nice people ask when is your next book coming out? And I can’t begin to explain what’s going on with me. (And as you seasoned authors know, it’s not always a writer who has any control over that.) Maybe I shouldn’t even be confessing to this as it probably sounds very unprofessional. Still, I’d sure love to get some input from you dear folk, readers or writers, feeling as if I am marking time right now.

I have begun stories and then quit, usually because I don’t like my characters. And you have to like them to stick with them all the way through the novel, don’t you? Unless you’re writing about a spoiled character like Scarlett O’Hara from Gone With the Wind. Now is that a germ of an idea? Would you enjoy reading about someone you couldn’t stand…waiting for her to get her “comeuppance”? I’m not sure whether a publisher would.

Sorry for going on so, but I had to get this out of my system.

Any advice, ideas, or commiseration appreciated….

 

Rita Stella Galieh does enjoy her Etiquette of the Victorian Era fun presentations where she plays the part of a governess lecturing her audience on the proprieties of upper class society. Someone said her acquired accent sounds like the "queen on steroids"! 

This is a nice platform to share the customs of the era and it gives a background to her characters and their struggles in that time.

Her husband,  also dressed for the period, gives violin renditions. However he is glad when she leaves that peronality behind and reverts to her true self again!

See www.ritastellapress.com for information on her books and weekly blog.

My Characters are holding my Manuscript Hostage!

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 2^nd 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

THOSE PESKY POVs

I did'n wanna do it!

My, how we change as we continue writing. At least that's my experience. POVs?  I luv 'em to bits. I was once happy to let loose and fill my whole novel with every single character's point of view.

But that is NOT acceptable for today's readers. Editors and publishers have told me that in no uncertain terms.  So how to get around it?

I can't help myself, I write them in anyway.  THEN I work out who is the most important POV in the scene and rewrite it according to that. This takes extra work, but it helps me to understand them better. I  give each of the main characters and antagonists, their POV in turn. As to other characters who are needed, they simply shouldn't have their say from a POV. Even so, they can dialogue with a main character, so we do get to know what they're thinking...except when they're being sneaky.

Yes, I admit at first I didn't want to do it...but it works. I had to change my wicked ways and submit to the wisdom of the ages...well, you know what I mean. One important thing I have learned: assimilating my new objectives has caused me to stretch as a writer. And I think what really clinched it was when I read a book with multiple characters and I really didn't know whose story it was! It was well written and with beautiful description, but it left me confused.

Another thing that we agonize over. When to use omniscient voice. Here's a sensible hint from writer Celeste Ng: the omniscient narrator's role is to provide a framework and crucial context and provide outside information as needed. (Me: Agreed, but only in small amounts, eg. fading out from a scene like in the movies etc.)

.Have any of you writers experienced subtle or overt things you've had to change in your work? Or was I the only stubborn writer out there?

Rita Stella Galieh  is a historical romance writer of two published books who blogs weekly at http://inspirationalromance.blogspot.com  Signed Sealed Delivered is now available on Amazon Kindle. She and her husband both script and record radio programs broadcast weekly on FM stations around Australia.

Why I Don't Read Much in My Genre

I was reviewing my 2013 reading list the other day and it struck me how few science-fiction titles are on that list. Not so odd, you may think, except that science-fiction is my chosen genre. My very first story was sci-fi and so too was my debut novel, Alpha Redemption, as are my two upcoming releases. So why don't I read more sci-fi? Surely it makes sense to read within your genre to improve your own writing? Well, yes and no.

Back in the day, when I had a full head of a hair and a readily-identifiable body shape, I worked in the fitness industry. One thing I discovered was something called cross-training. The idea is to do more than focus only on those muscles you use for your particular sport, but to supplement this with other activities. There was a time when professional athletes followed a simple training regime. Tennis players practiced tennis. Golfers played gold. Swimmers swam. Today, the benefits of cross training are common knowledge. Tennis players use weights to improve their power and they hit the running track to increase stamina. Even golfers can be found doing things other than golf. It is no longer enough to just focus your energy on one activity. To improve your game you have to supplement your training with activities not quickly associated with your sport.

In 2013 I read twenty three books, of which only two were science-fiction. The reason for this is that, while I love the genre, I so often find the writing to be lacking soul. When I pick up a piece of science-fiction I pretty much know what to expect. As a rule, writers of sci-fi have a lot to say about worlds filled with exotic technology but seem unwilling or unable to populate those worlds with believable characters. Many of these stories are best-sellers, so people must like them. For me, however, I need a main character I can care about. Last year I ended a book by a best selling author and could only wonder what people were raving about. You know something is wrong if the main characters are in dire peril and you don't care, simply because the author has not taken the time let you get to know them.

Whatever you may think of Star Wars, there is a good reason why it was (and still is) so popular. The stories may be set in fantastic worlds filled with interesting technologies. It may have flying cars and light sabers. There may be droids and laser guns and weapons the size of small planets. These, however, merely enhance the experience. What makes the stories so compelling is that they are, at their heart, about a boy trying to discover who he is and where he came from.

Writers of science-fiction can learn a lot by studying Star Wars. I'm not talking about all the whizz-bang technology, but the human element. Another good series is Firefly. Why it only ran for one season is a mystery to me because it has more soul than just about anything out there, in any genre. Perhaps there was not enough whizz-bang technology to keep the mainstream sci-fi buffs happy, I don't know.

All I know is that, as long as sci-fi continues to produce writers who care more about technology than they do about people, I will be looking elsewhere for my inspiration. I will do what modern sportsmen do and employ some cross-training. I believe this can only improve my game and make my writing stronger.

A Pleasing Aroma?

I adore light cotton Indian clothes. They are so pretty, cool and comfortable to wear.  Yet I rarely go into a shop that sells them.  Why? Because the majority of the shops selling them insist on filling the premises with incense and I can’t stand the overpowering smell of it. The after effects are not worth it. It makes me feel nauseous for ages afterwards. With some shops , and I am thinking of one in particular , I cannot even walk past it or go into any of the shops near it because of the pervasive smell.  I simply avoid that whole part of the shopping centre. My husband laughs. He barely registers the smell at all and doesn’t understand my problem. He obviously doesn’t have the same sensitivity to smell that I do. So if ever I get an Indian cotton skirt it is, because my darling husband has gone and bought it for me as he sometimes does for birthday or Christmas gifts. Then it gets hung in the breeze until the smell has disappeared from it.

The smell of flowers is another one that can be a problem. I love flowers, especilly if they are blue.

 

But there are two I cannot cope with. Gardenia and lavender both have a similar effect on me. I know many people claim lavender is calming and useful for relaxation. Some people sprinkle it on their pillows to induce sleep. Not in my household.  All lavender does is give me a violent headache. And as for eating lavender ice-cream and biscuits as I have read about in books, Never in a million year is that going to happen!

The whole sensitivity to smell issue started me thinking about how people react differently to things and how some smells leave a distinctly unpleasant aftertaste in the mouth.  Perhaps it’s no different with writing. What impression or aftertaste is left with readers after reading one of our blog posts or one of our books?

 Recently I read a novel which, while skilfully written, left me with a peculiar aftertaste. All I could think of was I was glad I had not lived with such a family of disagreeable and selfish people and why had I invested time in reading about such horrible people. That has actually been my reaction to a few novels lately, which is sad.

How much better it is to leave people feeling hopeful or feeling thankful for what they have. That doesn’t mean everyone in the story has to be so nice they come across as not real. That can be just as much a problem, as it is too sugary sweet.  It’s okay for characters to display negative characteristics. They need them so they are real and complex rather than one dimensional. It’s okay for them to have problems they need to work through. In fact without them and without displaying some negative characteristics at times there will probably not be much of a story. But the ending needs to leave the reader satisfied and feeling hopeful that the character has learned something. If a character doesn’t change at all during the course of a novel, then what is the point? That doesn’t mean it has to have a happy ending where every problem is solved.  Sometimes that can be unrealistic. Sometimes its better to leave some issues unresolved for the character to work on. But it does mean there should be a glimmer of hope and satisfaction.

Have you ever read a book and it’s not grabbing you but you keep reading, thinking it must get better. Then you get to the end and feel like throwing it against the wall. ‘What was the point?’ you mutter.

These days I rarely bother to keep reading unless a book involves me. All the pretty writing and beautifully constructed sentences in the world are not enough to keep me reading if I cannot engage with the characters. What we want as writers is for people to become so involved they don’t want to put the book down. They want to know about those characters and what happens to them even after the story is finished. A book that can keep people thinking about the characters after they have closed the last page is a treasure indeed.  Thankfully, I’ve read a few books like that. What a joy it is!  Isn’t that the type of effect we would like to have with our writing? I know it is with mine which is why I keep tinkering with the opening chapter and working so hard to get it right on my next novel, Sandstone Madonna. You can read a little about that work in progress on my blog. The same applies to the nonfiction project I’m working on. I need to get it right.

Don’t we want to leave a pleasing aroma behind us? In our lives and in our writing are we spreading ‘the fragrance of the knowledge’ of Jesus.  Whether we write fiction or nonfiction, poetry or prose I would hope we are ‘an aroma of Christ.’ That doesn’t mean that everyone in our books has to become a Christian but we should be able to show people who clearly live out their faith and how that affects the choices they make in life, as well as those who do not and the consequences of their choices.

Some of the books that have left a positive lasting impression on me recently for different reasons are Soul Friend, Tangled Secrets, The Greenfield Legacy, The Last Runaway, Unsaid, Love Anthony, Friendship Bread, One Breath Away, and Bethlehem’s Baby Warrior.  Some are aimed at the Christian market others are secular books but they all left a beautiful aroma and something to think about behind them. I’d love to hear what books have had that effect on you recently.

 

Streets on a Map, was published by Ark House Press. Prior to that Dale has had seven children’s books and Kaleidoscope a collection of poetry published.

Along with her husband, Dale was for a time houseparent for a family of twelve boys. She has also been a manuscript assessor and book reviewer and run creative writing classes. She has also written bible studies and Sunday school lessons. For several years she wrote about Christian living, marriage and home related topics for www.families.com. She has a BA in Literary and Australian studies. More information about Dale can be found at www.daleharcombe.com or on her Write and Read with Dale blog http://www.livejournal.com/users/orangedale/

 

Character Growth

As writers of Christian Fiction, one trend we typically follow is the development of our protagonists' character, if not through the entire story, definitely by the end. Since a lot of us put something of ourselves into our stories, character growth made me think of personal growth. But what causes growth?

A couple of years ago I attended a workshop run by Donald Maas at the ACFW Conference in Colorado. Amongst the wealth of information he shared, one thing struck me. He asked us to create a problem for our protagonist, and then another one and to make things progressively worse for them. It is through trying to solve a problem or by learning how to live with some not so pleasant circumstance that growth emerges. Obviously, I'm oversimplifying, here. Emotions, motives and reactions can be quite complex.

Have you ever had an experience where you were certain of something? So sure that nothing and no one could shake your confidence in what you knew? Well, I had a friend called Luke, who was more like family. He went into hospital, but as far as I know, it wasn't for anything to serious. I remember praying for him one night and having an overwhelming sense of peace after I'd made my petition. I'd never had that type or level of peace. Ever. Imagine God cocooning you in His arms. I understood the fullness of joy from being in His presence. I went to sleep with a smile knowing that God had heard me and answered my prayer.

I got a call from Luke's cousin not long after telling me that he had passed away! I was confused. I'd prayed and I know God heard. Where did that peace come from? I didn't know what to think. And being someone given to intense self-scrutiny and contemplation, that was very hard. Until...

Until the Lord revealed to me that I had misinterpreted the peace. I thought the peace meant that Luke would be healed and continue with his life here on earth, but instead God removed him from the pain he was in and the limitations of his physical body because he was ready to go home to the Lord. Talk about an occasion for growth.

I have another, very close friend O, who has been married for over 20 years. After suffering 6 miscarriages and years of trying, she got pregnant in January. Understandably this time around she wasn't very vocal about the pregnancy. Around the 3 month mark she invited me to go with her for a scan, but didn't tell me what the scan was for. I drove her to the hospital and dropped her off because I couldn't find a parking space. It was only hours later, after I'd returned home that it hit me that she wanted me to find out that she was pregnant! I called her and following her cues, skirted around the issue. It wasn't until about a month later that my suspicions were confirmed when she started to show. I was so happy for her. I'd never seen anyone look so beautiful! A couple weeks later she was put on hospital bed rest. We weren't worried because we trusted God and just knew that this time would be different. Knowing her history, it was good to know that her doctors were taking this seriously. Bed rest seemed a small price to pay.

On the 10th of June I got a text from O telling me that she'd given birth to a daughter the day before, but the baby's lungs were not developed enough for her to survive on her own. O's husband dedicated the baby to the Lord. To say I was devastated and confused doesn't really do justice to my emotions. I couldn't begin to imagine how O was feeling. At that moment all I knew was that it was enough! I do praise God that O and her husband are hopeful and that despite their pain, are trusting God to fulfill His promise that they will be parents. This by no means dismisses the tears and turmoil they must be going through away from prying eyes.

In my years as a Christian, like everyone else, I've had my ups and downs and sometimes wanted to run away from myself, and from God, but the thoughts running through my head at O's experience scared me. I began to question God. I know there is nothing impossible for God to do, so I wondered why O had to go through this trauma for a seventh time. I just didn't get it and I allowed myself to get angry at God for the first time in my life. And that terrified me. Was this another opportunity for personal development?

I became extremely uncomfortable in my own skin because I felt like my view of God was faulty or erroneous. And the very foci by which I'd anchored my life seemed to have shifted. But thanks be to God. I'm learning that God does not need me to defend Him, and I'm seeing through current experiences that nothing surprises Him and He knows just how to remind His children of His love - a big part of which is trusting Him even when we don't understand what is going on. I'm learning that in the midst of intense emotional turmoil one can experience incredible spiritual joy.

Okay, I know you're wondering how I got here. First of all I'm not really there yet, but I'm definitely on my way. God, as only He can, knew that at the time that O would lose her baby and when the threads of doubt would threaten to choke the very life of my faith, I, along with all members of my church would be studying the book of Job. I love how dynamic the Word of God is. Even though I've read through the book of Job a few times before, I don't think I'd read any part of it while I was dealing with something serious. I'm learning that there are conversations and decisions going on about us in Heaven to which we are not typically privy. There are indeed some things that we can prevent, but there are also other things that we can do nothing about save pray and ask for daily grace.

Only God can define the standards by which we live. An event that we view as sad or traumatic, can be an opportunity for God's glory to shine. Because we live in a world of information and knowledge overload we question, trying to find answers to things that make no sense. But faith is about trusting in the God who sent His son to die for the sin He would never commit. God understands pain. He understands suffering. He knows all things and always acts in the best interest of His children. God does not belittle our pain, but walks with us through it. He gives grace to get through the hour, the day, the month. He gave us time. He welcomes our questions, but by no means should we assume to know. Only He has perfect knowledge, and what we do know is the little He allows us to.

None of us knows tomorrow, but we do know that God is love. We also know that our 'knowing' increases with each experience that God allows us to face, as long as we go through them leaning on Him.

Father, thank You for growth and for the grace You give us as we grow!


----------------
Ufuoma Daniella Ojo is a Technical Author and Software Trainer. She lives in London and is currently editing her first manuscript titled The Sower, and is trusting God for connections leading to publication.

Cameras and Characters

“Are you aware you are a Loyalty Payback winner?” asked the voice on my cell phone.

Several thoughts ran through my mind. Was this a scam? Was someone trying to sell me a product I didn’t want? Or had I won one of the three competitions I’d entered recently on our local radio station?

“No, I didn’t know,” I said. “What have I won?” My voice was calm but my insides jumped up and down.

“A camera and four tickets to the Buddy Holly Show.”

“Oh, wow!”

Ten days later my husband, two friends and I enjoyed the show and I owned a beautiful  Nikon© camera.  I soon became immersed in a world of light, shutter speeds, apertures and ISO ratings. I took photos of any and everything.  I saved my successes and deleted my flops with a click of the  mouse on my laptop.

Some of my first photos:

Writers tend to look at all that happens in their lives with a view to finding a way to weave it into their work. So I shouldn’t have been surprised when Shirl Corder, my writing buddy, said to me, “I wonder why God has given you this camera?”

Until then I had simply enjoyed my camera, but now I looked at my win in a new light. Why had God given it to me? How could I use it in my writing?

Nanowrimo, the international event when writers sign up online to write 50 000 words of a new novel  during the month of November, arrived.  I had no idea what to write, but I signed up anyway. Now my friend’s question sparked a flow of ideas. Perhaps my heroine could win a camera. Then she could go to the State Theatre to watch a show and collect her prize as I did. What if the hero almost ran her down with his fancy car as she walked through the parking basement? What if he didn’t even stop to see if he had injured her? What if he was also a winner with tickets for seats next to her? What if my heroine ended up meeting him again when they both showed up for the free camera training that was part of the win? What if . . .

I drew on my photographic adventures to write 50 000 words during NaNoWriMo and now have a large part of my first draft of a novel.

God has since given me many experiences, thoughts and ideas for my book. My characters have developed from stiff figures in posed photos into vibrant folk who laugh, shout, fight, dance and cry their way through the video clips in my imagination.

As I take more and more pictures, I accumulate material for my novel, but I’d also love to hear your stories.  If you have any funny, sad, embarrassing or therapeutic experiences with cameras and/or photos, please would tell me about them in the comments section below? Thank you.

Ruth Ann Dell writes children's stories and international Christian fiction from her home in a sunny South African suburb. She is a member of several writing groups including the American Christian Fiction Writers and Writer's Ink. Her desire is to craft gripping stories which draw her readers into a closer relationship with God.

Ruth Ann and her husband have lived in several countries and are renovating a cottage in the heart of Ireland.

Have You Ever Met a Story World Character? by Ruth Ann Dell

We often hear about the importance of a writer belonging to a critique group. Over six years ago, ICFW's Shirley Corder founded a non-fiction group called Truth Talk. I had the privilege of being one of the five initial members. Shirl and I lived in South Africa, but our homes were two days' drive apart. Jan and Yvonne were on opposite sides of America while Elaine lived in a small English village.


None of us had broadband or Skype in those days, but strong bonds of friendship developed among us as Truth Talk emails flew to and from our computers. We honed our writing skills, prayed together and became a close-knit unit supporting each other in our daily lives.


After several years I visited England with my husband and younger daughter. Elaine's village was one of the proposed places on our itinerary as a much loved aunt also lived there. I asked Elaine for her phone number and we planned to meet if at all possible.


I called Elaine from my aunt's house. I waited for her to pick up the phone and my anticipation grew as I imagined a flurry of excited squeals of joy and laughter as we spoke to each other for the first time.

Elaine answered my call and I said, "Hello, Elaine, this is Ruth speaking."

There was no response.

"Hello?"

"Hello, Elaine. Are you there?"

Still no response.

I was about to put the phone down when she spoke to me in a rather vague manner. I was nonplussed by her initial lack of reaction, but as we chatted the words came tumbling out. Elaine gave me directions to her house and later I visited her. It was so good to meet her at long last and give her a big hug.

Later I discovered the reason for Elaine's stunned silence. She had been totally immersed in the story world of the book she was writing. As she wrestled with a dilemma involving one of her key characters, who happened to be called Ruth, her phone rang. When she answered the call she was startled to hear a voice saying, "Hello, Elaine, this is Ruth speaking." Her first reaction was that her character had  phoned to give her side of the story!

We often laugh about this incident, but it gives an insight as to how characters become real people to their creators.

Has there ever been a time when your characters have come to life? This could be from a book you're reading or writing. If so, please leave a comment and tell us about it.

Ruth Ann Dell writes children's stories and international Christian fiction from her home in a sunny South African suburb. She is a member of several writing groups including the American Christian Fiction Writers and Writer's Ink. Her desire is to craft gripping stories which draw her readers into a closer relationship with God.

Ruth Ann and her husband have lived in several countries and are renovating a cottage in the heart of Ireland.