Will You be in my Next Book?

April 10, 2023

In this Edition:

1. Quote.

2. Update: My Characters.

3. Motivate: Don’t over-commit.

4. Book Talk: What I’m reading.

5. My favorite things: 7 Reasons to Drink Lemon Water.

6. Final thoughts.

Update:

I get attached to the characters in my novels. Risking sounding like a psycho, I find myself thinking of them as real people with real lives who I love spending time with.

Some of my character love comes from the fact that I take little nuggets from my real life and nestle them within the pages of my work.

I never completely base a character off real people, but I’ll borrow snippets and this makes me love them all the more.

For instance, Pen, the main character in THE FALSE FLAT (my women’s fiction/romance novel—currently looking for a publishing home) is a 6ft woman from Minnesota. I have a real-life, amazing 6ft friend from Minnesota.

Now, my friend is nothing like Pen. She’d never behave the way my character does, but Pen’s height and origin remind me of someone who means something to me.

3 side characters in this same novel were inspired by women I’ve worked with or are friends with. Characters: The sassy, confident swing-dancing Keyondra, picture perfect therapist Elaine, and whip-smart financial powerhouse Erin.

I patterned the medical provider in my free short story, which a lot of you have read, after one of my best friends who’s a real-life, blunt PA (Physician Associate) who has a heart of gold and who I also adore.

My psychological thriller (awaiting feedback from my agent on this one) was inspired by my sister whose abusive boyfriend assisted her in ending her life. That’s not what the story’s about, but was instead a therapeutic (for me) exploration of a what-if question that materialized after several agonizing phone calls with my sister before she died.

The more I write this, the more I realize, a lot of people in my life get small nods in my books.

If your name or essence ever appears in my novel, it should be seen as a compliment. Because I’m also realizing this very moment that I don’t put people I dislike in my books.

But perhaps I should. Muahaha!

I also put very little of myself in my characters. For whatever reason, I don’t like seeing myself on the page, but I do borrow scenes/experiences from my life.

In the book I’m editing now, I wrote a scene with a mom waiting in her car for her angelic kindergartner in the school pickup line. Everyone who read it told me it was “so realistic.”

I thought to myself: it better be, I lived it! Except for grieving the loss of her husband. I didn’t experience that.

What would you do if you knew you had inspired a character in someone else’s novel? I guess that response depends on how that inspiration came to be.

Also, if you want me to write you into one of my novels, reply to this email and convince me. Give me a characteristic, an experience, something good, something bad, something sweet, something heart-wrenching. No promises I’ll include it, but if it’s intriguing enough, I might.

I’d love it. Seriously.

Motivate:

I don’t want to tell you what to do. You commit your heart out if that makes you happy. But take it from me, WHO SEEMS TO NEVER LEARN:

I’ve said it before, I’ll say it again…

Say NO when you need to.

We only have so much time in life.

You can only do so many things.

You can only do so many things WELL.

When you’re spread too thin, everyone suffers.

This past week, I took on a task that I shouldn’t have. And it took a lot longer than I thought it would.

It was a worthwhile task, but it prevented me from taking steps forward with my current goals. I lost time I can’t get back.

I wish I’d evaluated what was important and considered my priorities.

I don’t know if this is also something you need to hear today, Subscriber First Name, but if it is, I hope you learn from my mistakes.

When you say “yes” to one thing, it might mean you’re saying “no” to another.

Book Talk: What I’m reading/what’s upcoming.

1. SECLUDED CABIN SLEEPS SIX by Lisa Unger. Finished! Review coming soon!

2. THE SENATOR’S WIFE by Liv Constantine. This one is a pre-release, meaning it isn’t published yet. I love getting to read things that aren’t even available for purchase. I’m only 10% in, but it’s good. It’s a Women’s Fiction with suspense.

3. I’m beta reading a suspense/thriller that a lovely writing friend of mine wrote.

4. ROMANTIC COMEDY by Curtis Sittenfeld. (Reese’s Book Club pick)

5. ONE NIGHT by Georgina Cross.

6. DEEP WORK by Cal Newport. A non-fiction book explaining the rules for focused success in a distracted world.

My Favorite Things: 7 reasons to drink lemon water

I have a theory: If things are presented in a beautiful way, they taste better.

Hydration is SO important.

Every other day, I make a HUGE pitcher of iced lemon water for my family. I LOVE going to the water container, like the one pictured above, the kinds you only pull out for parties…yes, I’m suggesting you use yours every day. And if you don’t have one, a pitcher of any kind will do.

Seeing my beautifully sliced lemons floating in cool, crisp water makes me feel special because I find myself worthy of daily beauty. I drink more. My family drinks more. And lemon is so good for you!

I didn’t create the “7 things” list. You can find the details here. But here’s the list:

1. Aids in digestion

2. Helps you stay hydrated

3. Weight-loss friendly

4. Prevents oxidation

5. Supplies a healthy dose of vitamin C

6. Provides a potassium boost

7. Helps prevent kidney stones

Final thoughts:

Take a crisp, cool lemon water break and remember, there’s only so much time in life. Spend it wisely.

Much glitter,

Melissa

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