A Creative Breakthrough

Fiction writing is something new to me. I have written a few short stories in my life (mainly when I was younger) but have never seriously attempted anything like a novel. I've been reading everything I can get my hands on about character development. And one thing I read in Writer's Digest suggested the same type of process that many actors utilize: method acting. Actors such as Robert DeNiro have used this methodology for years, and it involves the actor bringing up past emotions in his or her life to "match" the tone of the emotion needed for the project the actor is working on.

This can be adapted for authors as well. I have been focusing on doing that with my lead character, Tessa. And I was actually able to immerse myself into her life by bringing in some of my own experiences and emotions. In fact, I did it so well, that when I was describing a scene with Tessa and her boyfriend, Bradley, I slipped into first person and called him *my* boyfriend. My husband was very proud of me for being able to become my character. I had never had this happen before, and I felt like I had broken through a critical barrier. Tessa is not just dwelling in my computer anymore. She has become a real person to me.

Yes, It's April, and I Have Not Posted Since October

However, I do have a good reason! I have been spending my free time really developing my plot and characters for my first novel. I don't want to give away much detail just yet, but it will be a psychological thriller set in Atlanta. The protagonist, Tessa Connolly, will encounter a series of twists and turns in her life that make her question everything she has ever believed about herself and her past. The novel's title will be "What Lies Inside" (now you see where my blog title came from).

I am also working on a non-fiction book about my adventures as a corporate recruiter. While on the surface that may not seem too exciting, I have been telling my stories for almost 3 years now and people are absolutely astonished and amused at the behavior of adult human beings during a telephone interview. It will definitely be a light-hearted book that makes the reader laugh while taking secret mental notes of what NOT to do in an interview.

And finally, I am also working on a non-fiction book about my own life. From the moment of conception (which was an absolute miracle according to my mother's physician), my life has been filled with both challenges and miracles. I was a two-year-old whose pediatrician informed my parents that I would not live past the age of 5. My entire life has been spent celebrating the fact that he was wrong. And I feel blessed to have always been aware of my own mortality. It certainly has taught me to enjoy every day even if it means starting the day soaking in a hot tub of water for an hour just to be sure I can even walk.

So there you go. My excuses are, I believe, legitimate. However, I hope to use this blog as a vehicle to share the progress I am making on my projects and to start getting my name and work samples "out there" for people to see.

Now, I'm off to spend some quality time with Tessa Connolly, a beautiful redhead who just doesn't realize yet what is about to hit her.