“Now that you have created your fictional people and the world they live in, you have probably discovered that they are terrific company and that they are all living in your brain. Suddenly you have a party in your head (a la that old Talking Heads song) and it is hard to make that party happen any faster than it wants to happen. And when the party is finally over, you will feel bereft and alone. So why not slow down and have the maximum experience?”
-Audrey Niffenegger, author of The Time Travelers Wife
Characters are hard. Creating not only one, but a bookful of someones who are not clichés, interesting, different, likeable—but not too perfect, with the depth and intricacies of Shakespeare’s Hamlet with a believable, driving force behind each word and gesture. Why would anyone ever want to do something like that?
That being said, these people—who began half formed in the recesses of my brain—grew as my plot did, getting thicker, broader, increasingly complicated and problematic.
My favorite person to write dialog for was Dylan. Not being the most eloquent person, I often have trouble getting my point across when speaking to someone. One more reason to write.
Instead, I’m that person who thinks of the perfect comeback two hours later. The beauty of the written word is having all the time in the world to shoot off that pithy reply. Dylan obviously has a quicker tongue than I ever will.
Andi was great to write inner dialog for, her thoughts almost a knee jerk reaction to situations. Her decisions were usually decisive and swift, sometimes to her detriment. But she was usually willing reexamine the situation when proved wrong, if slightly grudgingly.
The really interesting thing will be placing these fully formed people back in Elorium to see how they react to being dropped into unusual situations. Now I take on the role of scientist, my characters the rat hunting the maze for cheese. I almost feel sorry for them. Almost.
About the book: Enchanted castles and charming princes thought to exist only in stories come to life in this classically twisted fairy tale that combines the timeless quality of generations old folktales with the challenges of the modern world.
The woods of Elorium appear ordinary to Andi Grace, until birds start talking and elves answer doors. Along with three others, Andi has been whisked out of her world and finds herself the reluctant guest of the perplexing millionaire, Mr. Jackson—a stranger willing to help get them home, but who’s keeping secrets of his own.
Discovering unexpected family connections to this fairy tale land, the group must rely on each other as they dodge evil fairies and battle giants, intent on keeping them in Elorium.
Faced with characters short on whimsy and bent towards treachery, Andi, Quinn, Fredrick and Dylan are forced into fairy tale roles to find the way home. But in Elorium, happily ever after is never guaranteed.
A Grimm Legacy on Goodreads
About Janna: Janna is a Colorado based YA author who loves a good fairy tale. She’s married to her own real life Prince Charming, and will usually admit to being mom of three, including her incorrigible middle child.
She has a good deal of education in subjects that are somehow not related to writing, which includes a Masters in Education. Currently she teaches toddlers important life skills like which end of a spoon to use and that gluesticks are not for eating. They lack a few things that make a good literary critic, but she loves her students all the same.
Besides wrangling with kids Janna can be found doing some therapeutic baking, dreaming of the ocean, and of course, curling up with a good book.
Janna’s Website , Twitter, Facebook, Patchwork Press
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