by Mary Sutton / @mary_sutton73
Confession time: I argue with people who aren’t there.
In fact, these people are so “not there” that they don’t even exist.
Yes, I’m talking about my characters, people who are totally a figment of my imagination.
And I am not alone.
This came about because I am in the middle of revisions for Every Other Monday is Murder, the first novel in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries series. So, I was writing a scene where I wanted to reference the golden flecks in Jim Duncan’s hazel eyes. But in the first draft, I’d written “chocolate brown.” Yet the picture in my mind clearly envisioned him with hazel eyes. So I checked my trust character sheet (Yes, I should look at these things more often, but hey, you get to a point where you just know. So sue me.). And there it was, brown eyes. So I started to go back and suddenly heard Jim’s voice, arguing with me.
Jim: Of course I have hazel eyes. I’ve always had hazel eyes.
Me: No, you have brown eyes.
Jim: Hazel. Dmani it woman, are you blind? I mean, you’re the writer! How do you get this wrong?
Me: It says right there, brown.
Jim: I HAVE ALWAYS HAD FREAKING HAZEL EYES! Geez!
Lest you think this is strange, then I hear another voice. This time, it’s Sally.
Sally: I hate to butt in, but yeah, definitely hazel eyes. Oh, and mine are green, by the way. In case you missed that.
Me: I thought you were the one with hazel eyes.
Sally: Um, no. Well, maybe they looked that way because of my eye shadow. But no, they’re definitely green.
Me: But in my notes…
Sally: Look, are you really going to argue with a lawyer and a trained investigator?
Me: Fine! Be that way!
I then scurried off to make sure I’d never mentioned either character’s eye color in a released story (because readers will notice). I hadn’t. I could safely change my character notes.
I’m told by my writer friends this is a good thing, hearing your characters. It means they are alive to you, that you know them well. And that’s all good and fine as far as it goes. But just who is in charge around here anyway? Don’t answer that.
So, fair warning: If you ever see or hear me, and I appear to be arguing with invisible people, I am not losing my mind. I’m just a writer with stubborn characters.
Some other exciting news
So, a couple of other things from last weekend.
Writers’ Police Academy 2014
Yes! I’m going! I had a little trouble with the mobile version of the site, so I had to complete my registration when I got home and had access to a laptop. That meant I got shut out of the all of the optional workshops I wanted to attend (Felony Murder Investigation and Clearing a Building). But it’s okay. I’m sure it will be a great weekend anyway. And I am super-excited that I’ll be road-tripping and rooming with fellow Pittsburgh SinC sib Annette Dashofy.
Is it September yet?
New Laurel HighLands Story to be Release by Mysterical-e
I also got a notice that the next in The Laurel Highlands Mysteries series of novelettes, titled Death and Politics, has been accepted by Mysterical-e (you know the place that published the first one, An Idyllic Place for Murder). No publication date given, just “upcoming issue,” but if you hear a giant “whoop-whoop” from Pittsburgh, you’ll know it’s out!
Photo courtesy of Greg Wake, used under Creative Commons license.
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Arguing with people who aren’t there is fine but losing the argument… hmm.
I’m happy for you going to WPA. I was all set to go last year – had my registration with ALL the special sessions I wanted, hotel reservation, plane tickets, etc. Unfortunately, a health issue kept me from going at the last minute and I had to eat the cost. Bummer. But I did attend a few years ago and it was great. You’re going to love it.
I lose arguments with all sorts of people. Why should the imaginary ones be any different? LOL
Very excited about WPA. I’ll be traveling/rooming with a friend, so it should be a blast.