You'll Like My Book If...

Right Now: Working on final edits following a very awesome lunch with my incredible critique group.

Listening to: Who's Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses by U2


As usual, been thinking a lot about my story and my characters. I'm so wrapped up in them, and I can't wait to share them with the world...which got me thinking about my audience. My target readers are older YAs and beyond. (Maybe some younger, too). Is that you? I hope so, and I hope you'll love my characters as much as I do. I think you will if you like the following...

1. The Dollanganger Series by VC Andrews. You know it as the Flowers in the Attic books. I still remember being a young teenager and waiting on edge for each book to come out, wondering what each cover would look like. I was haunted by the siblings who loved each other, right or wrong. But there was something about Andrews' writing that made it all okay in a tragic and haunting way. I will never forgot those books--EVER, and I credit them for sparking my passion for reading. My book will take you to a forbidden love, and then will surprise you with a shocking truth that changes the entire course of the story.

2. The Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyer. Who can deny the impact that these books have had on so many, younger and older alike? While I have to admit I was disappointed with the last book, I was completely caught up in the Bella, Edward and Jacob love triangle. Who doesn't love a messed up romance? The forbidden heat and passion? (Another reason why I love Lost so much.) Of course, my book has a love triangle that is so confusing and complex that you'll have to wait and see who, if anyone, will come out on top. (pun slightly intended).

3. The Harry Potter Series by JK Rowling. To be "marked" and have some sort of higher destiny--talk about pressure. That is a theme in my book. But this person's destiny is tied to the destiny of the entire world, and beyond. You'll just have to see what I mean.

4. The TV Show Supernatural. Two hot brothers vs. Lucifer. So cool that I will say no more.

I could draw more comparisons, but will leave it at that, for now. I gotta do more edits!

My Character Tristan Garcia

RIGHT NOW: Finishing coffee, listening to A Bad Dream by Keane. Jake is at golf camp. Olivia comes home from away camp today. Hooray!

SUBMISSION TALLY: Submissions on hold, pending more editing.

I love all the characters in my book, one in particular: Tristan Garcia. (Described as looking like Zac Efron) I didn't intend for him to be such a pivotal character, but as I wrote, he just took a life of his own.

Initially, he was a minor high school love interest of my main character, Dominique Wells. But when I went more into his personality, he just evolved, springing off the page almost, dictating his role and impact on the other characters.

Tristan is the humble and poor kid who takes nothing for granted; a good Catholic boy who works hard for everything he has. He cares deeply for Dominique, but can never "be" with her, for reasons that you'll see one day when my book is published. They are forced to break-up, but neither one can really get over the other.

At first I thought of limiting Tristan to just the first book of the trilogy, but I've decided I just can't do that to him. So, he'll be back. But in a way no one will ever expect.