Point of fact, my orphans can be a source of embarrassment, and it’s completely my fault. You’ll notice some distinct similarities between the characters of my first published works (first historical and first contemporary). To me it comes across as a glaring lack of creativity, but please let me explain myself!

The problem: Orphans morph!

It’s true! when a story is left on its own to stew and simmer indefinitely, it doesn’t just disappear! I’ve let my poor orphans wander aimlessly in this world for so long that they’ve wound up shifting, changing and multiplying on their own!

Here’s what happens:

A story starts to build and percolate in my bitty brain. I run it and re-run it in my imagination until it takes a definite form, but it’s still just snippets, never truly fleshed out. Eventually I wander away from my creation, but like a lost puppy it follows me. That main character changes clothes from Victorian to Contemporary or vice-versa. The setting goes from Manhattan to rural Colorado. The lover becomes the villain. It’s like one of those old low-budget shows that reuses the same actors in multiple roles. It’s a mess!

But it gets worse

Now that I’m sitting down to flesh out and finish these stories, I’m realizing that several of my characters and possibly plot lines are going to be very similar.

So you can see my dilemma, yes?

What I’m doing about it

Luckily, and unfortunately, the morphing process has created characters who may look alike or share similar traits, but have evolved into their own distinct personalities. Think twins. Because of this, their individual stories are diverse enough that I think it’s worth completing each story, rather than choosing one. The only exception to this at the moment is that instance of the lover becoming the villain. I don’t think there’s any saving that one. However, for those interested I’m considering putting together some sort of backstory short. More on that in future posts, that’s not coming up until my contemporary release in the fall.

Why being on a schedule is so great!

Now that I’m actually completing stuff, this morphing issue isn’t really an issue any more. The characters are happily ensconced in their little worlds and don’t need to follow me around any more! That leaves me completely free to dream up totally new characters and scenarios. It’s such an amazing thing! So please stick with me through any initial overlap, I promise I have great new ideas for the future 🙂

Until then, I think I’ll start sharing some notes on the people, places and things that came together to inspire my first official book, Her Queen City Ranger, coming out next month. Hope you find it fun!