Peeps, today we have Elizabeth Morgan on the blog, chatting about her brand new release. Please make her feel welcome!
Are my characters based on real people?
I often get a little stuck on topics for guest posts. So, I usually ask my readers what they want me to talk about, because at the end of the day, I would rather talk about something you would be interested in reading. One reader asked – are my characters based on real people?
None of my characters have ever been based on real people. When I say real people – and I think I am correct in assuming this is what the reader meant – I mean people I know.
I will say that when I was planning my urban fantasy series, the Blood Series, I had such a large cast of characters I was really stuck for names, so I have used names of family members or friends, but the characters in that series are not in any way, shape, or form based on my family members or friends.
All my characters, no matter what story they are in, have been written from the way they present themselves. They talk, they react to what is being said or going on, and I write down their words and reactions.
My characters in Stepping Stones were no different. As each one made their entrance and presented themselves, their voices and mannerisms were clear. I didn’t need to flesh them out or create them to be someone else. They were all individual.
As a writer, a little part of yourself does sometimes slip into your stories. I would like to say that my humour is a regular occurrence along with shared beliefs, hopes, and fears – depending on the story and the topics involved – but even then, I haven’t placed myself into any of the characters; they aren’t me. For one, they are all braver, stronger, and funnier than I am. Ha.
What I will say in regards to Stepping Stones is that the story is very family orientated, but Maggie’s family is not based on my own.
Families are something we all have, or at least have at a certain point in our lives. No family is perfect. They disagree. They argue. They hurt one another. But they support one another, care, laugh, love, and overall want what is best for each other.
I come from a large family, and lord knows we have had problems and good times, but all families have those moments of tension, those times of laughter and love, fond or painful memories, of course we all have.
So it wasn’t difficult to write this family, and although I haven’t, nor has any member of my family, ever been through what the characters go through in this story, there are moments I can relate to. I have had those moments Maggie has. I have sometimes felt like an outsider, I have felt the distance, there have been disagreements and arguments, but families aren’t perfect.
And Maggie’s family are who they are and even though there are problems and issues between them, they still clicked as a family. And all families click even if you feel like there is tension, unsaid words, or distance between you all; there is always love there and that is the best foundation to build upon.
So, dear family – and friends – even though we have our difference and we are living in different area codes, I still love you and hope you are happy and well. And don’t worry; none of my characters are based on you, even if they have your name. ;-P
Thank you for having me over today, Cassandra, and thank you to all of you for stopping by. The reason I am over today is to celebrate the release of my sweet contemporary romance book, Stepping Stones. The story was released on June 17th and is about retracing steps, forgiveness, realization, second chances, family, friends, faith and love. The blurb and excerpt is below for you to peruse.
If you would be interested in winning a copy of my new release, Stepping Stones or maybe a swag pack, then please do leave an entry on the rafflecopter at the end of the post.
There’s nothing like a wedding to bring the family together…
If not for her baby sister’s impending marriage, Margaret West would never return home. But after six long years, she finds herself a maid of honor who must answer to the people she left behind.
If her parents’ interrogation doesn’t drive her to drink, facing her foster brother, Adrian, just might. To make matters worse, her ex-fiancé is the vicar who will conduct her sister’s ceremony.
Everyone demands to know why she ran off. But the more time she spends at home, the more Margaret realizes even she doesn’t know the real reason.
~ Excerpt ~
“When is Aidy getting here?” Jessica grabbed the large bowl of scrambled eggs and brought it closer to her plate.
“I think his flight is due in at three.” My mother placed a dish of bacon on the table and took a seat beside me. “He will be in time for the wedding rehearsal; don’t worry.”
My stomach clenched. “Wedding rehearsal?” I coughed, trying to clear the chunk of toast lodged in my throat. “What wedding rehearsal?”
“Today at four. We’re running through the service.” Jess scooped egg onto her plate. “I told you.”
Nervous laughter bubbled in my throat and try as I may, I couldn’t stop shaking my head. “No.” I patted my chest. “No, you never mentioned a rehearsal.”
“Oh.” She placed the bowl back in the middle of the table. “I could have sworn I did.”
“Nope, you didn’t. Believe me, I would have remembered otherwise.” I grabbed my mug and knocked the coffee back before finishing my piece of toast.
“Well, it’s no big deal.” Edward took the bowl of eggs and helped himself. “Just a quick run-through.”
“Will everyone be there?” Forcing a smile on my face, I looked up at them both, hoping like hell my question would pass as innocent and genuine curiosity.
“Anyone who is involved in the wedding itself will be.”
Great. So that meant Jessica, Edward, the parents, and the bridesmaids, plus me. That left Adrian and…. “Will Vicar Taylor, be there?”
Oh God, did my voice just go higher?
“Yes, Margaret, William will be there. He is the one who is marrying Jessie and Edward, so he needs to be there.” My father skewered some bacon and tomatoes onto his fork.
Grimacing, I reached out and grabbed another piece of toast. “Just a question, Pa.” A stupid one, but a question nevertheless….
“It is normal for people to have wedding rehearsals, Margaret. Just because you—”
Jess picked up the coffeepot. “Does anyone want more coffee?”
I straightened, my focus fixed on Pa. “I’m aware of that.”
“Maggie?”
My father’s shoulders went rigid. He lifted his head and our gazes locked. I didn’t miss the way the muscle in the side of his neck ticked. Arguing with my father in front of Jessica and Edward was not an option, so I looked away.
“Please.” I held out my mug and Jess poured the dark liquid.
I could kick myself. A wedding rehearsal hadn’t even crossed my mind. Having to stand at the altar before William on the actual wedding day would be hard enough, but having to do it twice…my stomach churned.
“So, will Adrian come straight to the church?” Edward cut the awkward silence.
“Yes. He will get a taxi to the church, and then we will bring him and his luggage back here.” My mother held her mug out to Jess.
“Adrian is staying here? Tonight?” I added sugar to my coffee. “Won’t it be crowded? I thought—”
“No more crowded than it was in your childhood.” My father took a bite out of his toast.
More and more good news. Of course he would be staying here; it was his family home after all. I guess, it was stupid of me to hope that he would go to a B&B, but my parents wouldn’t have allowed it even if he did suggest it. I hadn’t seen him in six years, hadn’t spoken to him. And yet, in a couple of hours I would be locked in the same house as him.
Elizabeth Morgan
is a multi-published author of urban fantasy, paranormal, erotic horror, f/f, and contemporary; all with a degree of romance, a dose of action and a hit of sarcasm, sizzle or blood, but you can be sure that no matter what the genre, Elizabeth always manages to give a unique and often humorous spin to her stories.
Like her tagline says; A pick ‘n’ mix genre author. “I’m not greedy. I just like variety.”
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