Write Right!: Carole Brown: No Stencil-Cut Characters for Me!

Imagine:

Can you see them?

Stiff arms; stiff legs
Robot-like movements
Machine-generated voice
Emotionless expressions

Reasoning:

I believe one of the best things I’ve learned (am learning) has been to place myself into the novel. I want EVERY ONE of the novels I write to resonate with REALNESS. I don’t want to write just to write. God’s given me the talent and the love to do so. If one of my readers can’t “be” there and feel the passion in the writing, then I’ve failed.

Task:

When I write I imagine:

How would I react to that obnoxious person? Is my personality such I would be a doormat? Walk away? Strike back with sarcasm? Soft words?
What would I do if someone kidnapped me? Or murdered my child? Would I forgive? Get even? Understand? Hate?
How would I respond to hurtful words? To a slap in the face? To betrayal? To the handsome new minister who loved to tease? To a rebellious sister who refused to grow up and be responsible?
When faced with temptation or fear or evil, would I run away? Be brave and resort to what I could use to conquer the evil? Pray? Give up? Cry? Yield?
When love is presented, do I accept it with happiness? Sadness? With laughter? Tears? Shyness? Horror? Aloofness?

Examples:

From my own novels:

1. In The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, Caralynne wasn’t fighting for herself. She was brave in the midst of fear, to save her girls and her friends. She wouldn’t let herself consider running or hiding even when it was offered to her. Foolish? Yes, in many ways, but she knew if she didn’t stand and fight, many others would have no future chance.

2. In Hog Insane, Denton chose humbleness and bravery because he was afraid—afraid he’d lose his wife. His carelessness and obnoxious self-centered thinking had caused him to forget that the love of his life had thoughts and wishes and feelings. Only by a direct turn-about in his attitude could he hope to rekindle the fire of love between them.

3. In With Music in Their Hearts, Emma Jaine repented of her selfishness and realized she wasn’t always right. That others had rights to their opinions and desires. Having the responsibility and care of two younger sisters and even her father thrust upon her at an age when she should have been giggling and enjoying her teenage years caused her to forget what it was like. The over protectiveness slid into undesirable demands even when given out of a caring heart. Only when faced with the nowhere else to turn or help, did she finally understand that she wasn’t always right.

Summary:

It takes practice and work, but don’t give up. The day you feel yourself tearing up or swooning over your own book, is the day you’ll know you did it. You’ve created a novel that seems to breathe and live on its own. Congratulations!

With Music in Their Hearts Blurb:

Angry at being rejected for military service, Minister Tyrell Walker accepts the call to serve as a civilian spy within his own country. Across the river from Cincinnati, Ohio, a spy working for a foreign country is stealing secret plans for newly developed ammunition to be used in the war. According to his FBI cousin, this spy favors pink stationery giving strong indications that a woman is involved.

He’s instructed to obtain a room in the Rayner Boarding House run by the lovely, spunky red-haired Emma Jaine Rayner. Sparks of jealousy and love fly between them immediately even as they battle suspicions that one or the other is not on the up and up.

While Tyrell searches for the murdering spy who reaches even into the boarding home, Emma Jaine struggles with an annoying renter, a worried father (who could be involved in this spy thing), and two younger sisters who are very different but just as strong willed as she is.

As Tyrell works to keep his double life a secret and locate the traitor, he refuses to believe that Emma Jaine could be involved even when he sees a red-haired woman in the arms of another man. Could the handsome and svelte banker who’s also determined to win Emma Jaine’s hand for marriage, be the dangerous man he’s looking for? Is the trouble-making renter who hassles Emma Jaine serving as a flunky? Worse, is Papa Rayner so worried about his finances and keeping his girls in the style they’re used to, that he’ll stoop to espionage?

Will their love survive the danger and personal issues that arise to hinder the path of true love?

With Music in Their Heart

Kindle

Print

About Carole:

Brown not only has her award winning (Nominated for an Epic Award, RWA International Digital Awards finalist in Inspiration, Laurel Award finalist, Selah finalist; Genesis semi-finalist) debut novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman, available for purchase now, but a companion book called West Virginia Scrapbook: From the Life of Caralynne Hayman, filled with tidbits of information about West Virginia, quotes, recipes from West Virginia and from Caralynne’s life, pictures and discussion questions for the novel.

November, 2013, the first book in her mystery series, Hog Insane, released. It’s a fun, lighthearted novel introducing the characters, Denton and Alex Davies. Look for the second book, Bat Crazy, late 2014 winter.

Released November 1, 2014, is the first book in a new WWII romantic suspense series: With Music In Their Hearts. Three red-headed sisters. Three spies. Three stories.

Besides being a member and active participant of many writing groups, Carole Brown enjoys mentoring beginning writers. She loves to weave suspense and tough topics into her books, along with a touch of romance and whimsy, and is always on the lookout for outstanding titles and catchy ideas. She and her husband reside in SE Ohio but have ministered and counseled nationally and internationally. Together, they enjoy their grandsons, traveling, gardening, good food, the simple life, and did she mention their grandsons?

Connect with her here:

Carole is also a contributor to several other blogs:

Stitches in Time

Barn Door Book Loft