Meet My Character Blog Tour

The wonderful Monica Enderle Peirce invited me to participate in the Meet my Character Blog Tour. I originally connected with Monica through the now defunct Six Sentence Sunday group and we've remained in touch via the WeWriWa group. If you're unfamiliar with Monica's work you're depriving yourself of some high quality writing. Technically, her debut novel, Girl Under Glass is sci-fi, but the entire time I was reading it, I couldn't help thinking that the starkness and desperation of the characters reminded me of Louis L'Amour's western novels.

Monica's sophomore novel, Famine, is a sensual bit of writing. It provided Monica with the perfect setting to showcase her fluid writing style and knack for detailed descriptions. It will be greatly appreciated by anyone who enjoys steam punk, paranormal, or apocalyptic novels.

In addition to sharing some information about the main character, I'm currently writing about, I also had to tag someone else to participate in the blog tour. I chose another talented author I met through the WeWriWa blog hops, Sharon Butchbinder. Anyone who likes suspense, fast paced novels, damaged characters, and great romantic chemistry will not be disappointed by her novel, Obsession. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to put it down. Sharon's a talented writer and I can't wait to read her next story.

Meet My Character Blog Tour

1  1)   What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person? 

Rosika . She’s a fictional character, but hopefully, she’s someone lots of people will be able to relate to.

2) When and where is the story set? 

In my mind, the story is set in Sparta, Michigan, a little town just outside of Grand Rapids, though I don’t know that the town will ever be mentioned in the story. I choose Sparta because I wanted the bulk of the story to take place in an apple orchard, and Sparta has always been the heart of Michigan’s apple industry.

The story takes place on October 18^th, 1941.

3) What should we know about him/her? 

Rosika is half German/half American. She lived in Germany for the first six years of her life. After her father died, her mother packed everything up and moved back to the States. When the story takes place, Rosika is seventeen years old. She’s independent, loyal, and is the kind of person who rushes into things without taking the time to consider consequences.

4) What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life? 

The main conflict of the story is that Rosika’s best friend since childhood, David, is falling for her, which puts a strain on their friendship. Rosika is also worried about a secret her mother is keeping.

5) What is the personal goal of the character? 

Rosika’s main goal in the story is to figure out her mother’s secret. Her secondary goal is working out a way to maintain her relationship with David, a task that’s much harder than she imagined it could be. Internally, Rosika is also worried about her German heritage. At the time, a large portion of the American population wasn’t worried about the war in Europe, but Rosika, with her German background, is. In addition to being worried about the family she still has in Germany, she also has to wonder what will happen to her if the United States enters the war.  

(Side note, it’s not easy writing about a group of characters who aren’t too worried about the possibility of war when I know that in about 6 weeks, Pearl Harbor will be attacked.)

6) Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it? 

The working title of the novella is Rendezvous with Destiny, which I borrowed from a Franklin D. Roosevelt quote. The story is a YA historical novella that will be between 20,000 and 30,000 words long. It has both romantic and suspense threads. If all goes according to plan, it’s going to be the first story in a trilogy that focuses on David and Rosika’s relationship. The 1^st and 2^nd story will take place prior to the USA’s involvement in WWII. The final story will explore what happens when the war ends and the characters return home.

Early snippets of the story have been posted as part of the Weekend Writing Warriors blog hop.

7) When can we expect the book to be published? 

If things keep going at their current pace, I’m hoping to self-publish Rendezvous with Destiny late 2014.

Rendezvous with Destiny #WeWriWa snippet for 7/13/14

Howdy!

It’s time for the mid-summer edition of the WeWriWablog hop, and event that brings together an eclectic band of writers together as they share snippets of their writing. If you’ve never participated before, you should. It’s a good, supportive group and you’ll be amazed by the wide variety of genres represented.

The rules are simple;

•  Sign up on the Linky list
• Take anything you’ve written-it can be something you’ve published, something you’re in the middle of editing, or even a roughdraft.
•  Pick eight sentences and post them, as well as a link leading back to the WeWriWa site on your blog.
• Hop around the internet and read the samples fellow participants have posted.

It’s the friendliest writing groups I’ve ever encountered.

My contribution comes from the young adult WIP I’m floundering my way through. The story is set just in the United States, just a few weeks prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor. It’s a friends-to-lovers story about an all-American farm boy and his best friend, who just happens to be an German immigrant. This snippet picks up where the last one I posted left off.

Speaking of my last post. I can’t thank everyone enough for your wonderful advice about how to improve my writing and your encouragement. You’re the best!

Without further ado!

He helped Rosika into the cab and snapped his fingers; Becca, responded instantly, leaping over the side of the truck in a single, effortless bound, and settling in the truck bed. David glanced over the side. In addition to his dog, the back of his truck contained a large hamper.

            David inhaled, savoring the mouthwatering aroma of like green bean casserole, gingersnaps, and pork roast.

            He glanced at Rosika, “it smells great.”

“I noticed you've failed to bring anything, you do realize that the whole point of a potluck is everyone bringing food to share.”

            David’s mouth curved into a charming grin. “Humph, guess you’re not as clever as you think. It just so happens, I’m bringing the two most important things.”

Sorry, I had to rely on a little creative punctuation to make the snippet the right length, Also, the dog, Becca, is a brand spanking new addition to the story. She insisted on being included, and I’ve learned to never argue with a dog!

#WeWriWa Snippet from Rendezvous with Destiny 6/22/14

Happy day after summer solstice. I hope everyone enjoyed all the extra sunshine (or if you had weather similar to Michigan, extra daylight, actual sunshine was kind of hit and miss)

It's Sunday, and time for the WeWriWa and Snippet Sunday blog hop. There are lots of super talented writers, representing a variety of genres, participating this week. Be sure to take a few moments to check them out.

I'm contributing a snippet from my current WIP, Rendezvous with Destiny. It's a young adult story set in 1941, just a few weeks prior to the bombing of Pearl Harbor and explores the relationship between a German girl and an American boy.

My sincerest apologies for the roughness of my samples the past few weeks, and my most heartfelt thanks for all the advice and encouragement everyone has offered since I started posting snippets from this particular WIP. Rendezvous is still very much in the first draft phase and not yet the finest example of elegant writing. Every single piece of advice I've gotten has been golden, and done so  much to improve the overall quality of Rendezvous, as well as my writing style.

Thanks!

He opened his eyes and found Rosika studying him. The corners of her mouth slant upwards and her eyes sparkle. “She must be special.”

“Huh?”

“You’ve always like girls, but I’ve never seen you to go all moon-eyed over one. I’ve gotta admit it irritates me that you refuse to tell me who she is, I assume I know her.”

Ignoring her, David tucked her hand into the crook of his elbow and guided her around the front of the truck.

#WeWriWa Snippet from Rendezvous with Destiny 6/8/14

You guys rock! I can't get over how helpful with the last snippet I posted. Every single one of you provided excellent, and detailed, suggestions about how I could improve that snippet. I'm so grateful.

This week I'm picking up where I left off and posting the third snippet from my WIP, Rendezvous with Destiny, a historical YA novella I'm tinkering with. It's supposed to be a Friends to Lovers style romance that's set a few months prior to the Bombing of Pearl Harbor. I'm having a blast researching the era.

Rendezvous is still in the first draft stage of things, so I apologize for the rough writing. I also apologize for the slightly creative editing.

Don't forget to hop over to the WeWriWa site and check out the list of talented writers who are participating in this week's blog hop.

“David?”

Rosika’s voice, still colored with the German accent she hadn’t lost, despite living in the United States for the past eleven years, tugged him from his thoughts. He flashed his trademark smile.  

“Let’s get out of here.”

Rosika slid of the truck’s rounded hood. Caught between her sliding body and the stationary vehicle, her full skirt to slide over her knees, revealing a flash of blue garter before bit of thigh before she tugged it back into place.

David closed his eyes and swallowed hard. Stop noticing how pretty she is, he mentally berated himself, she’s Rosika, a chum, nothing more.