It's my pleasure today to introduce T. B. Markinson.
T. B. just recently released The Miracle Girl and she's here today to talk about character creation.
Take it away, T. B. Markinson!
Hello! It's a pleasure to be here today and to meet all of you.
I’m often asked how I create the characters in my novels. This question fascinates me, since I don’t know the answer. When I start a new writing project, I don’t know much, including what will happen, who’ll grace the pages, and how long it’ll take. Soon, as I begin to get to know the characters and their stories, I learn as much as possible about them. Even more than the reader. I’m lucky. I get to spend hours with the characters to find out who they are, to uncover their dreams, their fears and what makes them tick. Some characters are difficult to get to know. Others are open books. Each one is a delightful challenge.
In my latest novel,
The Miracle Girl, JJ Cavendish at times was a difficult nut to crack. She’s an alcoholic and addict. I’m neither. Also, she has a devastating secret that she’s desperate to keep under wraps. However, we had certain things in common. She used to be a travel writer. And I love to travel. I was able to pull memories from my previous travels to relate to JJ. At one point in the story, JJ shares an experience she had in Zambia.
Back in 2010, I spent several wonderful days in Zambia, which is one of the most stunning places I’ve ever visited. While listening to JJ’s recollection, these were the images running through my mind. Below you'll see the Zambezi River, Victoria Falls, and some of the amazing creatures I saw.
Wonderful photos T. B. how exciting to have visited such an amazing place.
Thanks for sharing with us.
Now onto T. B.'s book
The Miracle Girl
To secure a loving future, she must shed an addicting past.
The blurb:
Newspaper publisher and world traveler JJ Cavendish continually feels pressured to live up to her Miracle Girl nickname. Not many people know she’s living a carefully crafted lie. She may not hide ties to the LGBT community, but she does hide past struggles with addiction.
When the Colorado native is handpicked to take the helm at a dying Denver newspaper, she ends up reconnecting with her long lost love in this contemporary lesbian romance. Only there’s a catch. If JJ fires the most belligerent editor at the paper, she risks losing the love of her life.
Mid-afternoon office romps abound in this romantic comedy while also focusing on what it takes for a newspaper to remain relevant in this age of social media.
Must JJ lose everything in order to gain a life more fully her own?
Available on Amazon:
Excerpt:
“This was a mistake. I’m sorry. I should have known.” She fumbled around looking for her jeans.
“What was a mistake? This?” Once again, I pointed to the bed.
Earlier that night, both of us had walked across the stage to receive our degrees. I received one in journalism, and Claire a business degree. She had some job interviews set up for the following week, while I was heading to Europe to backpack for six months. It was my graduation gift from my parents. They had started putting money into a college account before I was born, and when I received a full four-year ride, they decided to give me the money when I graduated. My desire was to see a bit of the world before I started a career.
Claire let out a long breath. “I’m sorry, JJ. I love you. I really do. But I need more stability in my life. Not a gypsy.”
“Gypsy!” I couldn’t help laughing at the idea and fell back onto the bed. I wasn’t loaded, but I’d never struggled financially. When I returned from Europe my father had a job lined up for me at the Denver newspaper where he worked. He was a sportswriter and arranged for me to start in the advertising department. Not my ideal job, but it was a job nonetheless during times when not many graduates had one lined up. At least it wasn’t the mailroom.
“I shouldn’t have started something I knew wouldn’t go anywhere. This was too risky.” Claire sat heavily on the couch on the far side of the room, shaking. My studio apartment didn’t allow much room for escape.
“This? You mean I’m a risk?” I placed a hand on my chest. “Or do you mean being with a woman?” I slipped her T-shirt over my head and wrapped my arms tightly around my chest, suddenly feeling exposed and vulnerable in the small space.
“You know I don’t give a crap about being with women or with men. You’re not the first woman I’ve slept with. You know that.”
“Yes, but you’ve never had a serious relationship with a woman. You’ve only been serious with Andrew.”
Andrew had been Claire’s boyfriend during most of her undergrad. He was a bit of a prick, but I tolerated him for Claire’s sake. I never let on that I was in love with Claire, and Andrew never suspected.
“Andrew asked me to marry him. I wasn’t sure at first, but …”
About the Author:
T. B. Markinson is an American writer, living in England. When she isn’t writing, she’s traveling the world, watching sports on the telly, visiting pubs, or taking the dog for a walk. Not necessarily in that order.
Thanks again for having me on your blog!
It was my pleasure T. B. Thank you for sharing such lovely photos of Zambia.
Readers how do you create your characters?
Do you hunt for them?
Or do they find you?
Are they close to you and your personality, or something completely foreign? A stranger?
Please share...
Have you read The Miracle Girl?
*****
Today the
WEP-Write...Edit...Publish first flash fiction challenge has posted. Sign up to participate via the InLinkz and amaze with your
Spectacular Settings piece.
