Regarding this subject, one of the
legends I’ve most enjoyed reading is the (possibly apocryphal) story concerning
Emily Bronte. When asked how such a
sheltered, proper young woman, a governess and daughter of a clergyman, could
possibly have created a character with the wild passion and force of
Heathcliff, she replied, “I am
Heathcliff.”
Don’t you love it?
She’d bonded totally with her creation.
Maybe when she sat down to write on the moors, in the family outhouse
(there was an outhouse) or on a
wooden chair in her cold, fireless room, she went into the zone of imagining,
loving, and becoming her character. She
entered Heathcliff’s head and heart. As
the ink bled onto the paper, they lived and longed and suffered as one.
While kneeling at the feet of Emily Bronte’s genius, I strive,
like most writers, to reach that same deep zone of togetherness with my
characters. At the moment, for example, Deva
Dunne, the amateur sleuth in my Murders by Design Mystery Series and I have
bonded though she’s younger and has better legs. But these are superficial differences. In our hearts, we are one and share the same
pen. And not incidentally, together we
have just completed number five in our cozy mystery series, The Design Is Murder. It’s
due out in November, and we’re both really looking forward to it!
The first four in Jean Harrington’s Naples-set, light-hearted
mysteries featuring amateur sleuth interior designer Deva Dunne and studly
Detective Rossi as her go-to hero are available on Amazon as e-books for your
Kindle, Nook and iPad.
5 comments:
I always thought that question was ree-dick-you-less. How can you have a story with a character. Their story IS the plot.
Thoughtful post. Thanks
I love Emily Bronte's comment. "I am Heathcliff." After all, we can only write what we know and understand...or what we seek to understand. Though I write chilling villains, what I know comes from my experience and education. That's why I love to learn - because it broadens the boundaries of my imagination. :)
I too love and wholeheartedly agree with Emily Bronte's comment. Right and write on.
Thanks Rita and all. A comment of my own. Rita's Wednesday post with its sensitive praise for our military men is the one that I wish had been posted today. It's so timely and right for our very beautiful national day of memorial.
Wile Heathcliff is without doubt a memorable character, and so much more could be said about him that was touched on here, I love Rita's tribute to our men in uniform. Thanks, Rita, for reminding us of what we owe to our national heroes and the women who love them. Sincerely, Jean
I agree, Jean--every story is a character's story. And I love the idea that Emily is Heathcliff. She was so bold to admit it! Very inspiring....
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