When Your Character Is Weirder than You
Blog Post for Rose Allen McCauley by Amber Schamel
When I decided to write a detective character based loosely on Sherlock Holmes, I figured he’d be an odd duck. But Jasper Hollock ended up much weirder than even I thought.
It was fun, because he is the strangest character I’ve written to date. But there were some places where I sat back and shook my head. I’m sure my facial expression was scrunched too. As an author, I’m strange in my own right. I get that. In fact, I scare my family sometimes when I talk about my characters and how they told me something about themselves that I didn’t know before. They’re like, “Uh…you’re the writer. The brain. You’re the one creating the character.”
I know. But it’s different. It just is.
Jasper Hollock is basically a prideful grouch. At least at the beginning of the book. He has a bit of an overbite and a fat upper lip. He also has big ears, which he is very proud of. Then there’s his Council of Mirrors that I would tell you about, except I don’t want to give it away. ;) And, oh goodness, if you had heard what Jasper said when I asked him why brown is his favorite color. *I need one of those wide-eyed blushy faces here. LOL*
Anyway, when I began realizing how…ahem…’special’ Jasper is, it raised a question. Can an author’s character be weirder than them? Or does the fact that the author is writing a super weird character make them just as weird? Answer this question for me, (Seriously, sarcastically, comically, satirically…surprise me. *grin*) and best answer wins an e-book copy of Solve by Christmas!
**Amber will pick a winner and notify that person on September 8, so get your comments in soon!**
Author bio:
Amber Schamel writes riveting stories that bring HIStory to life. She has a passion for travel, history, books and her Savior. This combination results in what her readers call “historical fiction at its finest”. Her title, Dawn of Liberty, was awarded the 2017 CSPA Book of the Year award in Historical Fiction. She lives in Colorado and spends half her time volunteering in the Ozarks. Amber is a proud member of the American Christian Fiction Writers Association. Visit her online at www.AmberSchamel.com/ and download a FREE story by subscribing to her Newsletter!
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Solve by Christmas Historical Mystery
Solve by Christmas Blurb:
When sabotage threatens the Rudin Sugar Factory, Detective Jasper Hollock believes this will be his first real case. But dear Mr. Rudin—the only father Jasper has ever known—holds a different assignment for his private investigator.
“I’ve struck a deal with God, Jasper, and you’re my angel.”
Mr. Rudin charges Jasper to build a “case” of reasons for his employer to continue his life. If he fails, Mr. Rudin will end it in suicide on Christmas night.
As the incidents at the factory become life threatening, Jasper’s attempts at dissuading Mr. Rudin prove futile, and Jasper is left staring at the stark reality of his own soul. Time is ticking. Jasper must solve both cases by Christmas before Mr. Rudin, the company, and Jasper’s faith, are dragged to perdition. Will this be the Christmas Jasper truly discovers what makes life worth living?
Buy Links for Solve by Christmas
Amber’s Website:
http://amberschamel.com/pre-order-specials.html
Amazon:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B074CJD6QR?ref_=pe_2427780_160035660
Smashwords
https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/739016
Kobo:
https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/solve-by-christmas-1
Barnes & Noble
https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/solve-by-christmas-amber-schamel/1126893423?ean=9780999176719
Feedbooks
Thank you so much for hosting me, Rose!
Glad to host you Amber. I just share it again on G+ and twitter!
Sounds like a Catch 22 to me!
Thank you so much for hosting me today, Rose!
So far, I haven’t written many weird, quirky characters, but I think I’m doing pretty good at creating villains. The bitter, ax-to-grind, misery-loves-company, everybody’s-out-get-me kind. No matter the kind of character we write, they do tend to take a life of their own. We are so proud of them when this happens. For non-writers, this is definitely WEIRD.
Lol, that’s for sure! Thanks for stopping by, Linda. I hope to read Bout one of your villains soon.