Mount Auburn Cemetery Thomas Chambers
***
Three months ago I woke with an idea that led to my fourth novel 'Lancaster'. A clear line of dialogue/monologue spoken in a female’s voice that I could not shake.
“There is something to be said of the content acceptance of a life carried out within the boundaries of societal norms. Where marriage, children, boredom, the affaire that cures one’s despair and so on leads to death versus a life conducted in the believed miserable single state where young men of consequence rebel well into their thirties searching for pleasures that fade. When their fathers had, in their time, accepted the cruel truth and settled happily into marriage then infidelity.”
I wrote it down in the journal I keep by my bed and read it obsessively until I had an idea of the sort of woman who would state such an observation, but more than that was the fellow who would bear it well and he was Lane Montgomery Lancaster, the Earl Bellamy.
Lane was to be for me the sort of man that grew from a child that would write his mother horrid meandering letters from school all written for the sole purpose of induce guilt. Just imagine it, this wicked child poring over the rotten conditions of the place where she - his dear mama - so willing shipped him off to while she ignores his suffering in the lap if luxury then to have him sign always with an all my love, your devoted eldest-born, Lancaster.
All of it the makings of a sharp dark wit and who could resist such a gentleman?
Here is hoping this week is better than your last,
Simone
I loved that post. I loved the insight you gave of the sentences that motivated you and how you lived with them until they started to grow into characters. And you're right, it is a compelling idea, but, it seems to me, driven by compelling characters!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing.
Steph x
He does sound like a wicked boy, I like it. You get the most interesting sentences in your head
ReplyDeleteThose were some lovely lines you wrote, Simone. And thank you especially for sharing how you wrote them and then developed a character around them. We all work in different ways when we write, and it's always interesting for me to learn how others come up with their characters and words and other writing bits. Have a great Sunday!
ReplyDeleteNevine
Should be a very interesting book :)
ReplyDeleteOooh, sounds intriguing. Your lines were beautiful, and Lancaster sounds like a great character that will be breaking hearts all over the place. Best wishes on writing it.
ReplyDeleteHi Simone ~
ReplyDeleteYou write so beautifully. I love that just a snatch of dialogue comes to you, and you build a story around it. :)
This is just a quick note to let you know I left you a couple awards at my blog:
from the desk of a writer
All the very best,
Corra :)
Your words come from another time.I love it.
ReplyDeleteI easily get attached to characters.Even wicked manipulative ones.I think I've met a few men like Lancaster before...
"I wrote it down in the journal I keep by my bed and read it obsessively until I had an idea"
ReplyDeleteThis way of being and doing things is the type of behavior that makes anything possible. Before I read this I was going to say how focused your blog is and how powerful it is. There is a quote that I have heard from great people in business and it goes something like this "focus is the secret to strength".
Thank you very much for sharing.
Tom Bailey
Even the seeds for your ideas are eloquently expressed. You have an amazing way with words, Simone!
ReplyDeleteLooks like a fun book! have a great week :)
ReplyDeleteI'm grateful to Simone of "From whence they begin". :)
ReplyDeleteI like that you're picturing the whole person--the little boy who became the man. Very cool.
ReplyDeleteNow I understand what they mean when they say, "characters live in the author's mind." This is very cool.
ReplyDeleteBeautiful writing, Simone. And sounds like quite a story.
ReplyDeletelove this writing, Simone.
ReplyDeleteand the painting is really beautiful also!
Sounds like a FABULOUS female character, in my opinion! Which is always a great start :-)
ReplyDeleteOh sounds so intriguing...love the picture too.
ReplyDeletexxx
Simone, You amaze me. If I had a journal beside my bed, it would be full of lists of things to do, rather than beautiful thoughts and details of characters. I guess we all have our talents. You have a wonderful gift for writing.
ReplyDeleteSimone, your words are so beautiful!
ReplyDelete(Love the picture too.)
xoxo
oh so lovely. cheers.
ReplyDeleteoOoo, family stuff, veneers of respectability, private hair-tearing, deals struck and then abandoned... yes, I think there just may be a novel hiding in there some place!
ReplyDeleteYou are all so very good for me with your lovely positive words. I feel your supportive energy and I'm grateful. You each have my love.
ReplyDeleteCorra, this thing you have done has inspired me. It is so much more than a kindness it is good for the soul. You have created comradery.
A lovely week to all.
All my very best,
Simone
A little late to the party, but I want to stop and say once again, your writing is lovely.
ReplyDeleteLancaster does sound quite the interesting hero.