Fiction writers tend to get caught up in their characters’ lives. Sometimes a supporting character becomes an important player, but when that character stays with you and you just can’t get him (or her) go, then there is only one option – write another story focusing on that character.
I don’t close the door on any of my characters, they each become important to me; however if my character has been allowed a happy-ever-after, I am usually content to let them rest. When I create my fictional people, I always build a background, personality and “life” for them. Sometimes they have a tragic history and become a pivotal character who deserves their own happy-ever-after.
This has happened to me twice. While I typed “the end” on my manuscripts, Tom Hughes from His Lucky Charm (originally titled Forgotten) and Matt Garratti in Final Sin lingered and haunted me just begging to live their own lives. Indeed Tom’s tragic past deserved healing and he found the salve in a relationship with Allie Davis. Matt Garratti was a close, loyal and caring friend to his paramedic partner, Julie, in Final Sin.
I moved directly from His Lucky Charm to Within the Law – Tom Hughes was fresh in my mind when I penned his tale.
However I wasn’t even aware how much Matt affected me in Final Sin, after all he was only the best friend to the heroine – I actually wrote three more books after Final Sin before I realized he wasn't going away. Somehow Matt stayed with me imploring me in my dreams to let him live again. I re-read Final Sin and got to know Matt all over again. He had dreams of his own and a future to look forward to with a new wife and a child on the way by the time Julie and Jake were riding off into the sunset.
Matt spoke to me. He begged me for his chance. I wrote Hyphema. ~coming soon.
Hyphema: Bleeding in the eye caused by trauma…
Matt Garratti, a paramedic from New York, moves his wife and son to North Carolina to work at his dream job as a flight medic. Pakistani born Sudah, his wife, receives frosty stares and insensitive comments from their new neighbors.
Before long, Matt wonders if he is pursuing his dream or bringing his family into a nightmare which they may never wake from.
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4 comments:
Fascinating article, Chelle and intriguing, highly topical stories. I love the cultural mix in your work and the way your characters are always so vivid you do want to know what happens next - after the book.
I wish you much success with 'Hyphema'.
Thank you Lindsay
Hi Chelle, those characters do linger, wanting their own stories. Wishing you every success with Hyphema.
Thanks Savanna
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