Monday, June 21, 2021

How Much of Ourselves....

 RHYS BOWEN: one of the great thrills about writing the Venice Sketchbook (apart from going to Venice, strictly for research purposes of course), was that the publisher used one of my own sketches as part of the cover. There it is, inside the dust cover. I know I’ve had many books published and I still get a thrill from seeing them on a bookstore shelves, but this is a special excitement because it’s not my professional skill, but my amateur hobby.


I have always drawn and painted. In my teens I would paint dramatic landscapes with dying trees and red sunsets. As an adult I have taken life drawing and lots of watercolor classes. It’s still a medium I am trying to master.  But my greatest joy is taking my sketchbook when we travel and capturing the places we visit. When I look at those sketches I am taken back to the place where I painted them so much more vividly than a photograph would have done.




It struck me recently that my recent characters have been artists: Hugo in the Tuscan Child went to Florence to study art. Juliet and Caroline in The Venice Sketchbook are both artists. Is this me living vicariously? 

And it got me thinking about what other personal details I have given to my characters: Evan shared my Welsh heritage. I have never been an Irish immigrant or related to the royal family but my series heroines do have some things in common with me: Molly Murphy is feisty with a strong sense of justice--very much like me. Lady Georgie tends to be clumsy when stressed. Again like me. And they both wind up with a roguish Irishman with unruly dark hair. Interesting. My husband is quarter Irish, related to Irish nobility and with the striking features of the Black Irish and was very handsome with dark wavy hair when I first met him.

So how about you, Reds? Have you given your characters any of your skills, talents, hobbies? Have you given them professions you wish you had tried yourself? 

I know that food is important to Lucy and Hallie and that translates to your books. It’s funny but some of my books (The Venice Sketchbook, The Tuscan Child, Above the Bay of Angels) have a heavy focus on food and cooking and I’ve received letters asking for recipes and whether I am a cook. The honest truth is that I love to eat but I really don’t enjoy cooking much.

Julia, did you ever think of becoming an Episcopal priest?

And have you given them any of your own characteristics, strengths or weaknesses?

Confession time!


HALLIE EPHRON: In all of my books there are echoes of me-ness. Absolutely.

Professional organizer Emily in CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR is a former teacher who loved teaching but got burned out by all the testing. That’s completely me. She lives basically where I live, eats what I eat, wears what I wear, and drives what I drive. She’s married to a guy who can’t pass a yard sale without stopping. DING DING DING!

On the other hand, I can’t imagine helping other people get organized since I’ve got my hands full organizing myself.

JENN McKINLAY: What a great question, Rhys! I love that your sketch was included in your book. I do think I give my characters bits and pieces of me. A love of pastry leaps to mind in the cupcake series. Of course, a love of libraries is in the library series. And my love of travel comes out in my rom-coms and my mysteries - Ireland, France, and Italy, in Paris is Always a Good Idea, for example. That is probably the attribute that is found in most of my books that comes from my own wanderlust. Where does Jenn want to go? I wonder if I can sell a romcom set in Japan since that is my next big trip...I hope, I hope, I hope.

JULIA SPENCER-FLEMING: Never been called to the priesthood, Rhys, but I am a cradle Episcopalian, and my love for (and sometimes exasperation with) my church is definitely a strong thread in my writing. I feel I went the other way when creating Clare - I tried to make her more of my opposite. She loves coffee, while I drink only tea (but we both use too much sugar.) She’s very physically daring, and I’m not. She cooks as a hobby, while I, now that I no longer have to make meals for five every night, am scarcely touching the oven and rangetop.

When I started writing the series, I was just a few years older than Clare, and I did feel like her in many ways. At this point, I’ve shot well past Russ’s age, and so I’m starting to resemble him a lot more! Next step, I become a senior citizen activist, like his mother.

Oh, and for those who want to know about the sex-on-the-kitchen table scene… I’ll never tell. ;-)

RHYS: Julia, there have been some interesting experimental scenes conducted as research in this household over the years too. My lips are also sealed.

LUCY BURDETTE: You nailed it with the food question, Rhys. I love to eat and talk about food and write about it too. My husband will tell you that it’s Hayley Snow who’s pushed me to be a better cook, rather than the other way around. You may have noticed that there are a lot of pets on Houseboat Row--and that Hayley is devoted to her cat Evinrude. Absolutely true for me too, I have a powerful pet gene inherited from my mother. My two earlier series had a lot of me in them as well. I aspired desperately to be a great golfer, and gave that (and a lot more talent) to Cassie. And Rebecca was a clinical psychologist who attended the Congregational church. All me of course!

DEBORAH CROMBIE: When I started writing Duncan and Gemma, I had a lot of empathy with Gemma's situation. During those early writing years, I went through a divorce, as both Gemma and Duncan had, and was taking care of my daughter, as Gemma was Toby. But I very deliberately wanted Gemma to be more outspoken and confident. (Not to mention taller and thinner…) Since then I've put my characters in places I loved and have lived, like Cheshire and Scotland. I've given them dogs and cats (my animal loving gene) and an interest in food and drink. There is a lot of wish fulfilment--I've written characters who were artists and musicians and professional chefs, all things I would love to be able to do myself! Of course what I really wanted was to be English and live in London, so being able to do that vicariously has been a real gift.

HANK PHILLIPPI RYAN: Ha. Ha. Nope, the reporters, who are in ALL of my books, are nothing like me. Interesting thing:  when I was writing Prime Time, early early on, main character Charlie had to drive somewhere. I thought, oh, no, she hates driving. ANd my brain said: Are you kidding me? YOU hate driving. Charlie is Charlie. She doesn't have to hate driving. Readers, it was a revelation.  So I allowed Charlie to be a really good driver, and she enjoys it, and that was truly fun. 

But I  also have to say, I consciously make my reporters NOT me.  They do what THEY would do. But being a real-life reporter, I know all the options!

In fact, a character in Her  Perfect Life is SO not me, AT ALL, but I am worried people will think she is. We shall see.

RHYS: So dear friends, who are also writers--do you put parts of yourself into your characters? And dear friends who are readers--do you like to learn from characters' hobbies? Baking recipes? 

32 comments:

  1. I think we always learn something when we immerse ourselves in a book . . . I love the variety of characters among the Jungle Red books. And, Rhys, yes, please . . . definitely baking recipes . . . .

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    1. I have had so many people asking for the recipes in The Tuscan Child. I should have included them

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    2. Joan, you frequently say what I am thinking. I just came across an old email from you and will try to respond more fully than I could when you sent it after my husband died.

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  2. Of course we get asked that question all the time - is this character you? I love what Debs said about wish fulfillment: making our characters smarter, taller, thinner, braver than we are. Rose Carroll is even a better Quaker than I am.

    But I certainly put what I know and have done into my characters and settings: organic farming, assisting at births, living in southern Indiana, the Falmouth area of Cape Cod. I've had characters run road races, something I formerly did. Robbie Jordan's country store is based on a real place in Brown County, IN. And so on.

    And for the things I haven't done and don't know? That's what sons and friends and hands-on research and subject matter experts are for! I currently even have a forensic anthropologist on speed dial to help me with an eighty-year old skeleton.

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  3. My female main characters range in age from eighteen to energetic seventies, and work a variety of occupations I've experienced: interior design sales management, university hospital research, writing real estate advertising copy, restaurant cook. Lizzie, the main character in my books and many of my stories, is an energetic 47, thinner than I am and a much better tennis player, standard poodle owner and mother of teens. Coffee drinker, brewed in a French Press.

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  4. Lovely sketches and watercolors, Rhys! I always wanted to be able to draw. Have to settle for being a fan of artists and their work. I think as writers you have to be keen observers of detail, which is something that visual artists need too. Your sketch reminded me of Jane Langton, who wrote terrific mysteries, many set in and around Concord, but occasionally traveling further afield. Her line drawings illustrated many of her Homer Kelly books, and I was the lucky recipient of her children's books as a kid. Those also had great drawings. Anyone else a fan of A Diamond in the Window?

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    1. Loved Jane Langton's mysteries and would have loved her children's books if they'd been around when I was the age. (I liked them as an adult ) Great to see another fan.

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  5. I love your sketches, Rhys, and always love it when you share them with us here. And I always wonder about how much the writer puts of herself/himself into their characters. For me, a good story populated with interesting people is great; it becomes really fantastic when I can learn something while reading about them -- recipes are good, facts about a period or place or subject are great. Just keep writing, please!

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  6. Rhys, thank-you so much for asking the question that burns in every reader's head while falling for a beloved character. If I meet the author, will I meet the character? The answer is, of course, no, not really. But when characters come to life, as so many do, lots of us want to meet them.

    Rhys, I am glad you explained about the devastatingly good looks of your Irish heroes. I wondered who was the model for Darcy and now we all know!

    Thank you Reds for letting us see your connections to your creations. I know that many of you give your characters physical characteristics that you are familiar with such as fair skin, freckles and height and also sports or activities that you love like horse-back riding, biking, running or even cooking. But, you are not writing biographies so there needs to a break.

    Reds, being one of your readers who loves a good sex scene, I had been wondering, Julia, whether there was any research involved in the ones you have described. I suspect that Jenn researches hers, but I do not think that she will share that here! And Rhys, I'm happy to know that "there have been interesting experimental scenes conducted as research." Now that we know who Darcy is modeled after, well...

    Rhys, your sketches and watercolors are terrific and I would hang any one of them on a wall in my home. I bet your kids will, too!

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    1. My most embarrassing experiment involved a scene in Evan when John said the wresting over a gun was not right. So we acted it out. On the floor, grappling, when our son came in. What are you doing? He asked in a shocked voice

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    2. I think I might donate one of my sketches to the Malice auction next year, or one of my watercolors

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    3. Great idea! It will make sell for sure!

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    4. Oh, and Rhys, that is hilarious. How old was your son? Fun times!

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  7. Very often when I am reading a series with a character I have grown to know and love I think I do confuse the character with the author. If I were to meet that author in real life I would probably be surprised if she/he had no idea who I was even though I thought I was meeting a family member. So, authors, if you have made your characters warm and lovable - just like you? - you'll have to expect that. Even warm and lovable characters can have a spicy personality and even think mean thoughts.

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  8. Aha, just as I expected! John IS Darcy. And he's still a handsome devil.

    How can you not put at least bits of yourself in your books? Write what you know, right? Or at least what you aspire to. (Taller, thinner, better whatever.)

    I always "see" Edith when I read about Rose, even though she says it's not her, and I "hear" Rhys when I read about Georgie. Hank, you come through in many of your characters, with some of the same speech patterns (and Charlie's shoes!). Some of Jenn's spunky characters also evoke her presence. Another author whose main character is imbued with so much of her own personality is Diana Gabaldon. Her Clare Fraser is a taller, thinner version of herself, I think.

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    1. Karen, I agree. Jenn does seem to shine through in her characters, especially Scarlet, who is my very favorite!

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  9. I really like the roman a clef notion, finding real people underneath the characterizations. But I don't always recognize them. Rhys, Julie particularly likes this in your books, and I know she's told you this, how much she appreciates the little Easter eggs.

    I also look for similarities amongst the characters and the writer. Probably I get it wrong most of the time. However, since I've met all the Reds, and know some of you better than others, I really look for these.

    Judi, I do the same thing, and am always surprised when an author DOESN'T seem to know me! Even more amazing is their ability to glance at a name tag and greet a reader like a long lost sister. Got to love it.

    And Amanda, I'm with you, love to learn something new in every book.

    Debs, one of my favorite memories is visiting Nantwich and the book store, not to mention finding your old house in
    Chester! I felt like you were along with me on that trip.

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    1. I'd love to go back for a visit, Ann!

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    2. I have loved this in your books too, Debs. The boathouse on the Thames and especially Lower Slaughter! Such a joy when you can revisit a place you know

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  10. By the way, I watched your Book Cougar session last night. What fun to spend an hour or so with you all. And thank you again for staying here with all of us this past 15 months. You really DID make a difference in providing this community.

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  11. As a reader, I love stretching into other lives, and the inspirations from reality make them that much more believable. I enjoy the wit, the wisdom, the vicarious danger and pets (I can't have them, but I can enjoy them in the books), and yes, the food, the elegant and the plain. VENICE SKETCHBOOK was so appetizing, I may have to go to The Hill now that it's safe to gather with others. When I read TRUST ME, I ate peanut butter for breakfast and wanted to take Mercer a salad. Art is a good addition. Amy Stewart has art sessions on line, and Laurie King's fans share fan art. The connection between pictures and words has been a strong one throughout history. Thanks for taking us on trips while we stayed safe at home.

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  12. Rhys, how cool they used your sketches.

    My characters are not me and me all at the same time. They have a lot of my values, but they are far more outspoken, braver, and bolder - not to mention more capable - than I am.

    Except Jim Duncan's dog. I gave him the dog I would have had years ago had all the shedding not been an issue for us (really, The Hubby's allergies).

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  13. Enjoying this discussion very much! I suspect that aspects of authors bleed into their characters and stories, intentionally or not. I enjoy reading about places or activities familiar to the writer. It adds a note of authenticity to the story.

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  14. LOL - Julia! I like how you're growing with all of your characters.

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  15. I love hearing how your imaginations incorporate your skills, or give your characters those abilities. And I have speculated on the research done for some scenes...I notice nobody mentioned murder ;-).
    The son of my former boss wrote a coming of age book set in a local town that is known for problems with drugs & the violence that comes with it. His young hero is at a party & a young woman is about to show him just how much she likes him...when gun shots are fired. Never so glad for gunfire!
    I couldn't reconcile the stories of the young boy who would sit in the hall outside his sister's bedroom so he could hear his dad read Harry Potter to his little sister, with knowing what that young woman had in mind!!
    But the imagination, observation & curiousity you writers all employ and then gather together to tell your stories is greatly appreciated. Picking & choosing what works is an art. Thank you all.

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  16. What an interesting (and revealing, Reds!) topic.

    Do I put myself in my characters - to a certain degree. My characters scuba dive, and are based in Florida for the most part. They're all much younger and have interests and skills that I can only dream about - or google.

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  17. Rhys, congratulations on having your sketch as part of the book. Wonderful to have an additional talent. And what an interesting question. I think all authors put some of themselves into characters, not always on purpose either. Who among us could not name a famous instance or two where the author claims the story is not at tall heir own life, and everyone says, “Sure, buddy. Who are you kidding?” ( Not naming names. But could) When I began my Brooklyn series, though, I thought it through on purpose. I had written a couple of books I did not think worked well, so I tried to think through: What really matters to me and what really interests me: the experience of raising children. A lifelong interest in history. Brooklyn, where I was not raised but did work in several diverse neighborhoods. Sound familiar? And then I wanted my heroine to be different from me too, because that gives more room for imagination to work. I was pushing middle-age, been married forever, grew up in a small city, went away to college, to grad school and had a career. So she is younger. Less worldly but tougher. A Brooklyn home girl who married her high school sweetheart and quickly became a mother and a young widow. It has been fun for me to see her grow into her life.

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  18. Rhys, love, love the illustrations. Your drawings of Venice reminded me of when I travelled to England and I drew a picture of a stately country house that I visited. I never thought of myself as an artist. Though I cannot draw people, I seem to be able to draw houses and buildings.

    Interesting to see different authors include something about themselves in stories and the same for authors who create characters opposite from themselves. I was reminded of the Mystery! host Vincent Price discussing Lady Antonia Fraser's Jemima Shore on PBS. Before watching the mystery show, the host mentioned that the author wanted to create someone who was the opposite of the author!

    Diana

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  19. What a wonderful exchange! I interweave the personal and the vicarious constantly when writing, although, my heroines, too, are ALWAYS thinner and prettier. But Ryhs, you are so lucky to be able to express your creativity and talent in different media. Brava!

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