I’m thrilled today to have historical romance author Beverley Kendall on the blog. Bev is a real powerhouse in the romance writing community. Not only does she write wonderful books, she’s the publisher of a fantastic on-line magazine and blog called The Season, which is one of the go-to places on the web for romance reviews and news.
I’m going to turn the blog over to Bev so she can tell us what’s going on in her world.
Like A Mother, An Author Shouldn’t Have Favourites
You always remember your first, right? Your first boyfriend, your first kiss, your first marriage (if you went on to have more than one), your first job and most importantly, your first child.
I have only one son so he is my first and only. No fear of jealousy between siblings here. No sense of guilt that I may—and I say may—gravitate more toward one child than the other.
No, what I have are the characters I create—my heroes. They are the ones who demand my attention exclusively for a good 3-5 months. I get to know them; their likes and dislikes, their foibles and strengths. They charm me and entertain me, and at times, they make my heart wrench and lift my soul. I’m captivated by them and feel a sense of loss when my time with them is over.
Luckily, when authors writes a series, they are able to revisit with much loved heroes of past books and flirt with upcoming heroes as we anticipate writing their own book.
My first book was SINFUL SURRENDER and James Rutherford was my hero; my first ever. For that reason alone, James will always hold a special place in my heart. But even as I wrote SINFUL SURRENDER my mind was on Alex Cartwright. I knew his story three years prior to writing his story, AN HEIR OF DECEPTION. I became even better acquainted with him in A TASTE OF DESIRE, especially when he was having fun tormenting my second hero, Thomas Armstrong.
But I knew Alex’s road to HEA would be littered with heartbreak and loss. I knew that Alex would—for a time—lose his wit, his dry sense of humour and a piece (tiny) of his humanity when he loses the love of his life. And because I knew the journey Alex was to take, he rose above the others in my affections.
I felt for Alex. I felt his loss. I felt his pain. I felt his anger and sense of betrayal and abandonment. Alex immediately became my favourite.
When AN HEIR OF DECEPTION, which I once hoped to publish with one of the New York publishers, was roundly rejected, I wasn’t deterred. I knew with 100% certainty that no matter what, I’d finish writing this book and it would be published. Of all the books I’d written thus far, Alex’s story above all needed to be told. In April I finished telling Alex’s story and let it loose on the romance reading public. Whew!
Now, I’m saying a sad farewell to my favourite hero, Alex Cartwright. Fortunately for me, I’m working on a connecting series, The Temptresses, so I’ll be visiting with him again even if it will only for a brief period.
What about you? Have you ever felt guilty about favouring someone over the other? Comment and enter to win a digital copy of AN HEIR OF DECEPTION. I’m giving away 2 copies.
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Vanessa, here. Be sure to visit Bev’s website for blurbs and excerpts for all her lovely books, and don’t forget to drop by The Season, too!
thanks for a great post and congrats on the newest release! Nope, I don’t feel guilty for liking one character over another. I like who I like and that’s a good sign that the author has written a good, believable book b/c you don’t always like everyone in real life. But in real life, sometimes I do feel guilty if I favor someone over another, but it depends on the circumstance.
Erin, that makes total sense!
Thanks, Erin. Right now my favourite is my new hero, Zach Monroe. He’s 19, plays football and boy don’t I wish there was someone like him when I was in college. 😉 Alex is still my fave historical hero and I’m sure he will be for a little while longer. Then of course Lucas will usurp that role. LOL
Thanks for the giveaway! I don’t usually feel guilty for liking one character over the other. But sometimes I do feel bad when I fall in love with a character and completely forget another character when just last week I couldn’t stop raving about them. In realistic terms I do feel bad when I like person over the other but probably not as much as I should. I feel like if I like one person better then another it must be for a good reason.
Yes, agreed, Marie!
Annmarie, I wouldn’t even worry about that. It just means you’re fickle just like me. 😉
That was a great post.
I have a niece on my husbands side that I adore. I babysat her and her sister when they where very little and she was such a handful. She drove me out of my mind on a daily basis, she was so bull headed. She grew up to be a fun loving and happy adult. We have a wonderful and special relationship. She is my favorite, not that I don’t love her sibling but she is special to me. She is now married and has a 3 year old son who is hard headed and very active. I look at him and laugh and I think ….she is so in for it.
That’s lovely, Lori. It’s amazing how often the live wire grows up so well.
LOL. That’s a mini-me she’s got on her hands. I was just saying to my son, I wonder what kind of child you will have. If he/she’s half the handful he is…watch out.
I had to stop by. First I love Beverly’s writing and this post was great!
Humm yes I hate to admit but back when I was younger I babysat all the time, usually for one great family. They had 4 kids, 2 girls, 2 boys. But 1 child, a little girl, the 3rd child(who later was found to have ADHD) she was born right when my grandmother passed and she will always hold an extra special place in my heart. I still remember her sweet little smile and even the terror tantrums she’d throw. I always hated it and tried hard not to show it, but she always had this special hold on me.
I have 2 kids of my own now and can honestly say that both are my favorites for different reasons, they are so very different but so alike as well. And they will fight like cats and dogs but not let anyone else dare to even think of bothering either one. LOL
Great post!! Can’t wait to read this one.
hugs,
WendyK
Another great story – thanks, Wendy!
Awww, Wendy, thank you so much.
I was a huge babysitter too and I’ll always remember a little boy I babysat. His name was Damian–well still is. Oh he was a little terror and his sister was soooo good. They moved to Ireland I think and I kept in touch with them via letters for a few years and then lost touch.
I really can’t say that I can’t feel guilty on something especially that I am still young. Sure, I might feel guilty that I still haven’t done much in experiencing a nice relationship, but I still have many things to do. Even though I havent read An heir of Deception but I realize that these character might have their own guilt but one can redeem it.
Yes, it’s always about redemption, Nubia!
Hi Nubia,
Thanks for dropping by. I really hope despite what Charlotte did, I managed to redeem her so readers would not only understand her actions but emphasize with her as a person.
Sorry, I meant empathize.
I guess I like my daughter over my sons sometimes. It’s nice having a daughter who is like you and is not. But I love my grown children.Thanks for contest.
Belinda, girls can be so much fun!
Sigh. I wanted to have more than one child and I definitely wanted a girl. I guess I’ll have to wait and hope my son gives me a granddaughter.
Oh yes, I have 2 kids, both boys, 2.5 years apart. But I find that rather than worry over favoring one more than the other (which I worried about more when they were young) that as they have grown I am more worried about their perception of things rather than my own feelings.
That’s an excellent point, Erin. Sometimes another person’s perception can be very different from the reality.
Yeah, Erin, you’re right about that because our perception is our reality.
It was a great post.And no i cant love one more than the other i love them the same amount
Good for you, Debbie!
LOL! Are you talking children or characters? 😉
Alex is my favorite too. As I read through both books, I fell in love with him. Who wouldn’t when he is romantic, sensitive, & kind. I’m glad he was paired with Charlotte. I’m also greatful that you got to tell his story, even the hurdles you went through. Never let any rejection deter you from spmething you love……I wonder about Katie……
Bev’s books are wonderful!
Awww, thank you so much. I knew the moment I wrote him into the second scene in Sinful Surrender that he was special and would be very special to me. At that point I didn’t know who his heroine would be but I just knew he was special. And yes, Katie’s book is coming and Lucas is definitely a good match for her–in my own biased opinion. Hehehehe
Hi ladies,
I’m here!! I have these breaks in between my writing sprints that I have to utilize for everything. Plus, my son faked sick today so I had to pick him up from school. Yes, my favourite and only son, the boy who cried wolf.
Bev, thanks so much for visiting with us today. Sounds to me like your son needs some chores around the house to keep him busy, and help his mom!
I don’t think it’s a bad thing to favor someone over another. People are different and they appeal to us in different ways. Perhaps it’s because we have more in common with someone that would make them more preferable to us.
I would think that if I was an author, I would have lots of favorite characters. The hard part would be to not duplicate that character into another novel.
Would so love to read “An Heir of Deception.” Thanks for the generous giveaway.
Connie Fischer
conniecape@aol.com
Hi Connie,
Thanks for dropping by. I think we can love people–even our children–in different ways and one love isn’t necessary more or stronger than the other, just different.
i try really hard not to play favorites. i have 3 brothers and i love them all dearly. i’m the oldest and only girl. made me feel special. now i’m married with 3 children. so far i’ve never played favorites with them. their my life, along with my wonderful husband. life is good. i haven’t read any of your books yet, but will make a note to put in on my “books to read” list. thank you for your giveaway! 😀
Kyla, you are obviously a wonderful sister, mom, and wife!
Hi Kyla,
I have three brothers too–also one sister. I’m closest to my sister. I don’t think it’s a matter of playing favourites though, just natural selection. LOL. I hope you will give my books a try. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I think the fact that as readers we can feel so strongly that we favor characters or really get more emotionally attached to some rather than others is not a negative thing, but rather speaks volumes to the author! I love when I read a book and as I’m coming to the ending I feel sad that I won’t get to enjoy those characters presence in my day any more. I don’t feel guilty liking some more than others. It’s the books where I feel most attached that leave me with a feeling of “wow!” when I’m done. It’s amazing how real characters can seem. I love it! It is what makes reading so magical.
I feel exactly the same way, Heather!
Me too!!! Do you know how many books I’ve read that I just want to continue on in their lives. I want to know how many kids they had, how they’re doing in 5, 10, 15 yrs. That’s why I love writing and reading series. 🙂
I am a person who tries very hard not to pick favorites because it always ends up biting me in the behind 😉 I decide on a favorite tv show and it ends up getting canceled or jumping the shark, or I decide on a favorite song and then it goes out of style or stops getting played, or I pick a favorite book and it goes out of print before I can buy it… you get the picture? LOL! So I am now more cautious when it comes to naming favorites and I widen my scope to include multiple options 🙂
I do, Lora! I HATE that about TV shows!
Yeah, me too on the tv shows. I hate getting too attached cause I’m so upset when/if the show is canceled. I started watching SCANDAL last season and all I kept thinking as I became addicted to it was, this better be picked up or am I going to be ticked! LOL!!
No guilt here. I like what I like, and I don’t what I don’t. In books, not an issue. In real life, I try to treat everyone with respect, even if they drive me up the wall.
Well I’m just grateful that James and Thomas have no problem with Alex being my favourite. 😉 If ever Alex gets usurped in my affections, he’ll understand too. In real life, having one child makes everything easy. He is the be all and end all. The end.
There’s no need to enter me in the contest. I already purchased the book. This was a wonderful series and I’m glad Alex finally got his own story.
I find that with most trilogies, there is always one character that jumps off the page in the first book, then we have to wait until the final book for his/her story to be told. I wonder if the author writes it that way or if it’s a coincidence? That happen ed with alex and most of Nora Roberts’ trilogies.
Honestly, Kim, I think sometimes that type of character simply jumps out and takes over. It’s really cool when that happens!
Of course I have favorites! I pick a new favorite character in every book I read.
Good plan, Kimberly!
I enjoy your books. No, I don’t feel guilty.
No need to feel guilty when it comes to books, eh?
I have felt guilty about it.
hi ladies!
well.. not exactly, cause it’s all about taste 😀