Welcome back to the last week of the challenge for this year. The weatherman is being particularly cruel today as temperatures soars up to 70 F, 21 C, but we’re under a heavy rain warning. So unfair!
Today’s letter is U, and while I’m tempted to write about umbrellas, but in my writing, U stands for the uniqueness of each of my characters. They are one of a kind, each remarkable, special, and unusual in some way. They have faults to go with their qualities, and idiosyncrasies, but what makes them unique is that in some way, they do indeed exist — and not just inside my head or on the page of a book.
And why is that true? Because each of my characters embodies traits from people I know. In many cases, I use names of friends and family, draw on what makes them special to me, and then with the Godlike powers only an artist possesses, I bring them to life for me and my readers. Let’s look at Emerald Glow for the example this morning.
The main character is Lee. Her best friend is Janet. Lee, Janet, and I met at university in 1969. Recently, I reconnected with Lee retired from teaching and has become an amateur nature photographer. In that story, you’ll meet Arnold and Teresa, a wonderful couple we met on the trip aboard the Rocky Mountaineer, which is the backdrop for the story along with all the beauty and majesty of the Canadian Rockies. The story is an unusual romance written a little like a travelog, and the Sue and John in the story? Why that’s me and my hubby! As for the title, An Emerald Glow is the signature drink at the Chateau Lake Louise.
Here’s the blurb.
She’s given up on finding the right man. After a painful divorce, he’s sworn off women. But you don’t always get what you want, especially when a typo can spell disaster.
Following a breakup that’s soured her opinion of men, photographer Lee Andrews is hoping this assignment for an online e-zine will help her set her life on the right path. If she can stay focused on her job and ignore the opposite sex, so much the better.
Alexander Fedorov is a burned-out journalist, tired of covering one disaster after another. His recent divorce has left him bitter and determined to stay as far away from the female sex as possible. This new assignment offers a change of pace. As long as he can avoid meddlesome females, he’ll be fine.
When they meet, sparks fly and personalities clash, especially when the full impact of a small typo and making assumptions makes itself known loud and clear. Both are determined to be adult about the situation, keep their distance, and complete the job. But that may be easier said than done, especially when the attraction they feel for each other is magnetic.
How’s that for uniqueness? Emerald Glow is available from any Amazon store or free to read in KU. Come back tomorrow for the letter W!
Look at other U posts here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1nuoAOJ-BUAXE1Yl2yIArhUHInj902PHVX6_gL4oKiSo/edit#gid=1195767304
Living the Dream 