Insights

I don't want people to wonder how I pick names for my characters and how I get the situations my characters is in through out the book. I am going to let you into my mind a little bit in how I work things out. I have recently downloaded an app for my phone to record things so this will help me a little more get into the character's mind I hope.

How I get my characters names: Okay first I go with names I like and would have picked for my kids, but never used or there is people, crushes and whatnot, that I start with their names. For The Dark of Night I at first used my actual first name and what I'm called by my closest friends for the main character. I used it because it was a name I knew. I will admit I hate my name, but I wouldn't change for anything. I then changed it by googling baby names for the year of birth of the character's to find popular names for that year. Emilie I believe was in the top 10 maybe even the top 5 of girl names in what would have been her year of birth. Now because I love unique spellings for names I had to change it a little. The spelling I used is a popular way of spelling for anyone who uses that name now.
I got the friends name from baby names site as well. As for the others are mostly celebrity stars names, from acting to singing, that I like a lot. Some even the characters they play in shows/movies. Character twin brother had a different name to start. He actually started out as Zach, but I decided to change my mind about it because I think Austin went a little better with what I picture him to be than when he originally was thought up. Although I will admit he is named after one of my son's favorite show on one of our favorite stations for the kids.
Our lovely Rob is from my favorite actor crush, but doesn't have his look. At first he did, but I changed his looks. The looks come from another actor I like.

Relationships between characters: The big family has always been a big family. They all have the same last name with the fathers of both sets of four kids were twin brother themselves. They are a close family, but things did get harder to keep track of when all the kids are under one roof. That was how Em's condition of emotions went unnoticed for so long.
When Emilie was younger she would run into Robert when they were visiting. They liked hanging out together with Averie, which is Emilie's best friend along with being family. Rob might be the first of everyone to realize she wasn't herself. (Can't give too much away since there is still more to come.)
Megan cam on the scene when her and her friends were doing what everyone does best and bullies behind someone back. When realizing what she did wrong she decided to befriend Emilie and from there so far they are good friends. I can only hope that they end up with the kind of friendship I have with my small group of close friends.

How the story comes together: So when I'm writing the scenes I put down what is in my head first, but what you see isn't the first of what I wrote down. Some things change a lot some change a little. I write and print a lot on paper and write some more and print some more. I usually have to read out loud each scene, changing things when I need to. What I do as I'm reading is putting myself in each characters shoes. I bring the character into my mind and channel what it is that i would say and do in the situation the character is in. I kind of close of my mind to everything around me and bring up a picture of where the scene is and what would be around and whatnot and make myself the character. ind of blocking out everything and freeing your mind to let something else in.
I would recommend this for anyone who want to write fiction. Write what is there first then go back later to read it out loud. Clear your mind and let everything your thinking go. Pull the characters into your mind and just let what you would say in the same situation come out. Even if you have to do it a few times to get it just right. If you have to find someone who 1. is a supporter of what you are doing and 2. willing to help you any time anywhere with this. I have that. I might have to email her bits and pieces, but I love that I have that kind of person in my life.

I hope this helps you understand a little bit about how everything came together. I know every author has their methods. Everyone new one searches for a way to figure it out, but you can't allow what someone else does to get their story written reflect how you write. If you choose to do things the way I do with publishing or have professionals do it all for you, besides the writing portion, then make sure you can trust the people you have helping you.
I have my closest, long time friend edit things. I know I can trust her with any copy I email her or print off for her. You have to be able to trust the people that handle your work outside of you.


Now that you have an insight into my mind I can say I hope you enjoy where I have taken this story.

If you have not read on any of the other posts then I must say this story is not a personal experience. I have not lost my parents. They are both alive and well, living about twenty minutes away from where I do. I have never been really depressed, but a few things have sent me to spiral down just a little bit, but not far enough that I couldn't get back out.


Thank you for reading. You can get The Dark of Night on Amazon in both paperback and kindle. Today October 24, 2013 is the last day to get the paperback version for $6.75. It will be back up to $7.50 at end of day today. I hope to have the next part of Emilie's story for you in before or by Spring.
Remember to keep up-to-date with updates follow whatever way you would like.

Thank you!