Crafting a Leading Lady

*Note in case it’s not showing: the feature image above comes from musicalvienna.at*

In my first books, you’ll probably note some similarities between the leading ladies. I hinted at this in my post on the trouble with orphans. To reiterate, this is because these characters all developed out of a single inspiration (except for Lucy in His Silver City Gold. She’s totally new, and I think that’s because I finally started writing the other stories!)

So, who was that initial, pivotal character? Well, I first met her waaay back when I was a kid. I used to make up my own imaginary bedtime stories while I was waiting to fall asleep. I often used characters from my favorite cartoon at the time. Some notable examples are Sleeping Beauty and Gadget from Chip ‘n Dale, Rescue Rangers. As I grew, I tended to stay more in the human realm, and eventually landed on a historic figure who just mesmerized me: Empress Elisabeth of Austria.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/3196720

I was in Middle School, working as TA in the library when I came across a book called Flight of the Wildling by Marguerite Vance. It told the story of a beautiful teenage princess who steals the heart of the young Austrian Emperor, then the trials of her life as Empress. She was basically the Princess Diana of her century. The people loved her, she was called the most beautiful woman of her time, and she was talented. Multilingual of course, an excellent rider, and obsessed with physical fitness. She maintained a tiny, tight-laced waist her entire life and thick, floor-length hair. Of course, she had her negative aspects too, but I wasn’t too concerned with those. Her story is a classic romance that’s been retold in film and on stage. She was my perfect muse.

Over time, I gave her characteristics based on my changing interests. In High School my mom made me go to martial arts classes, so some of that shines though. I was also in the military for a while, so those themes will be present in several of my books (mainly in the form of my heroes, I love my men in uniform!). Essentially I pieced together a personality that incorporated all the talents, strengths and qualities that I would love to have myself in a perfect, magical world.

I gave her the qualities my mother tried to instill in me: strength and independence. The ability to face any situation and know she can get through it. I don’t always feel that I embody my mother’s hopes, but whenever I’m in doubt I can drum up my character and send her out to conquer the world, have men grovel at her feet, and make it home in time to bake cookies and finish knitting that sweater.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00CFK5JT0

But is there really any of her author mother in her? Well, she got my eyes. At least in one book. I have dark green eyes that verge on hazel sometimes, not very common and something I’m quite proud of.

You’ll get to meet her in this month’s new release, Her Queen City Ranger, and catch glimpses of her again later in the year when I release my first contemporary story! I hope you love her as much as I do!

Get Your Free Book!

Upcoming Events

Goodreads

See what I’m currently reading, what I’ve read, and ask questions! I’d love to get your reading recommendations 🙂