Jillian Chantal

Yesterday was the monthly meeting of my RWA chapter. After much discussion, it was decided that I needed to rename my heroine. In my book, Solo Honeymoon, my heroine was initially named Tess. I struggled and struggled with the story until I changed her name to Emma. Once she had the “right” name, her character finally came out and I was able to rock on with the story.  Several of us in the chapter that car pooled to the meeting decided I should try that tactic with Capri, the heroine in my current WIP, Obsession.

Names were bandied about- some were quite ridiculous (and fun) and some were really good choices.  I finally decided on three possibilities: India, Kathryn or Joanna. By the time I got dropped off, I had chosen India and even told Elizabeth that was my choice.  I live 2.5 miles from the Publix where we meet to carpool. By the time I got home, it came to me that the heroine’s name is Joanna.  Now, I have no idea if that’s true but I’ll see as I continue to write. I’ll see if the flow gets better. So, far as of this evening, she has loosened up a bit. She’s less unlikeable.  I mean, I was really starting to think she was an unlikeable person, but I’m already seeing a softer side of her. That’s promising.

I’m also grateful for our chauffeur, Shannon. He’s the spouse of our member/friend, Jamie. He gave me some great info to use with the trauma my hero sustained in his time as a green beret. The info Shannon shared will help me make this story more authentic. 

We ate a late lunch at Panera Bread and I got all of 97 words written on our NaNo “sprint.”  Not much sprinting there for me. But I did get research done by chatting with Shannon about being deployed to a militarized zone- that counts for something, right?

Don’t forget to visit me here today: http://desertbreezepublishing.blogspot.com/    They’re doing new author spotlights on the weekends and I’m the author du jour.