Mystery of Writing

It’s been waaay to long since I’ve updated my writing blog (I’ve been off writing!) but now I’m back, and diving in head-first with an introduction to a crowd of characters!

I’ve been tagged by author Jeanette Bennett to participate in the “Tales of Twelve Characters” Challenge. The idea of the challenge is to list any twelve fictional characters, and answer the questions that follow.

Instead of tapping others’ books, Jeanette used the fabulous characters from her own “Adventures of Serendipity Brown” series. I loved that, because it helped me get to know them better! Plus, it inspired me to use characters from my own stories and the series I write with my sister StacyJMT.

Some of our brainchildren are known to the world through Twitter Fiction Events and the sample chapters of our upcoming novel; some will be arriving soon. I wrote their names on slips of paper & drew them from a hat to avoid subconsciously prearranging the outcome of the challenge (since I’d already read the questions). And, seriously—it’s freaky-spooky how some of this worked out.

So, here we go! Allow me to introduce:

1. Dierdre Bailey – Financial analyst [Barrister Mystery series]
2. Andrew Peterson – Lawyer, 1938 [Noelle]
3. Cassie Barrister – PR & marketing consultant [Barrister Mystery series]
4. “Cascavel” – Black market antiquities dealer [Kit & Sierra series]
5. Jeff Barrister – Security expert, businessman, co-founder of Barrister-Norman Security Technology [Barrister Mystery/Kit & Sierra series]
6. Kit Wiley – Physics professor, researcher, adventure travel writer [Kit & Sierra/Barrister Mystery series]
7. Sierra Dodge – Freelance photographer with a military background [Kit & Sierra/Barrister Mystery series]
8. Rusty Norman – Inventor, programmer, co-founder of Barrister-Norman Security Technology [Barrister Mystery/Kit & Sierra series]
9. Victor Vladimir – CEO, Innovation Media [Barrister Mystery series]
10. Palomar Blu – Refugee & star traveler from a distant future [Twitter Fiction Events]
11. Willoughby Atson – Burglar alarm sales manager with a PI license [Mystery series TBA]
12. Todd Patterson – Deputy Sheriff, skeptic [Barrister Mystery series]

Challenge Questions

1. Who would make a better college professor, 6 or 11? (Kit Wiley, Willoughby Atson) Both are qualified in scientific fields. But Kit IS a college professor – she’s enthusiastic about imparting knowledge & communicates in a gentle manner. Willoughby would arrive at class, get nervous, bumble a lecture, quit in frustration, and go find something more active to do.

2. Do you think #2 is hot? (Andrew Peterson – Lawyer, 1938) He spends most of his book fighting a fever, so…yeah, he’s hot all right.

3. 12 sends 8 out on a mission. What is it? Does it succeed? (Deputy Todd Patterson, Rusty Norman) If Deputy Patterson gave Rusty something to do, it would likely be orders to “Stay out of this investigation!” In off-hours, though, they’re friends; so the mission would probably be: “Russ, go pick up some burgers for the barbecue.” The mission would succeed, unless Rusty got distracted by a pretty face, in which case he’d come back with a 12-pack of soda and a loaf of bread.

4. What is or what would be 9’s favorite book? (Victor Vladimir) His checkbook register.

5. Would it make more sense for 2 to swear fealty to 6, or the other way around? (Andrew Peterson, Kit Wiley) Andrew & Kit live 70 years apart, so wouldn’t likely cross paths. If they did, Andrew would be more likely to swear fealty to Kit, as he’s a gentleman of a protective nature, and a lawyer accustomed to confidentiality.

6. For some reason, 5 is looking for a roommate. Should (s)he room with 9 or 10? (Jeff Barrister, Victor Vladimir, Palomar Blu) Oh good Lord. Jeff doesn’t trust Vladimir as far as he can throw him; but he cares too deeply for Kit Wiley to room with any other woman. Vladimir it is!

7. 2, 7 and 12 are going out to dinner. Where do they go and what do they discuss? (Andrew Peterson, Sierra Dodge, Deputy Todd Patterson) They’ll probably grab a quick sandwich at the Trellis Cafe while they discuss the time anomaly that deposited Andrew in the 21st century & swept Jeff Barrister & Kit Wiley to parts unknown.

8. 3 challenges 10 to a duel, who wins? (Cassie Barrister, Palomar Blu) This would most likely be a duel involving video games. Palomar’s proficiency in futuristic technology would render this a close call; but by the time she got used to the archaic interface, Cassie would probably whip her rear.

9. If 1 stole 8’s most precious possession, how would (s)he get it back? (Dierdre Bailey, Rusty Norman) Wow. Dierdre *did* steal Rusty’s heart, then discarded it carelessly. Luckily for Rusty, another woman found it…but I don’t think he wants her to give it back.

10. Suggest a story title in which 7 and 12 both attain what they desire. (Sierra Dodge, Deputy Todd Patterson) “Justice.” Both Sierra and Todd are militant about protecting the innocent & bringing evildoers to justice. Todd does it because he’s a peace officer; for Sierra, it’s personal.

11. What kind of plot device would you have to use if you wanted 1 and 4 to work together? (Dierdre Bailey, “Cascavel”)
Actually…that’s not out of the realm of possibility…(*makes notes for later story*) Cascavel is a black market antiquities dealer and the main enemy of Dierdre’s former boyfriend’s business partner’s girlfriend. I don’t think anyone could convince Dierdre to risk her own safety in order to rescue Kit from Cascavel; but it would certainly be possible for Cascavel to show up at the bank where Dierdre works & enlist her financial expertise in the sale of certain artifacts. She’d have no clue he was a bad guy, and would get into all kinds of trouble, making it necessary for Rusty to step back into her life, complicating matters in his current relationship and…(*wanders off to Google Documents*)

12. If 7 visited you for the weekend, how would it go? (Sierra Dodge) The visit would go really well for a while. Then Sierra would get stone-cold bored of me rambling about characters & fonts, and she and my sister Stacy would go off rollerblading.

13. If you could command 3 to perform any service or task for you, what would it be? (Cassie Barrister) I’d probably ask her to speak up more in Twitter Fiction Events. She tends to get really shy and step into the background.

14. Does anyone on your friends list write or draw 11? (Willoughby Atson) This is kind of an ambiguous question. *I* write Willoughby. But in the boundaries of her story-world, she gets infrequent emails from her mysterious employer, Peter D. If anyone were to draw her, it would probably be her friend Ted, who would do it to amuse himself. However, this attention would send all kinds of mixed signals to Willie, and she’d go off wondering if he finally likes her.

15. If 2 had to choose sides between 4 and 5, what side would (s)he choose? (Andrew Peterson, “Cascavel,” Jeff Barrister) Andrew would choose Jeff, hands down. Jeff’s one of the good guys. Cascavel is cream of the crud.

16. What might 10 shout out while charging into battle? (Palomar Blu) “Shields up, divert power to fore cannons!”

17. If you had to choose a song to best describe 8, what would it be? (Rusty Norman) “Phenomenon” by TobyMac. [Lyrics]

18. 1, 6 and 12 are having a dim sum at a Chinese Restaurant. There is only one scallion pancake left, and they all reach for it at the same time. Who gets it? (Dierdre Bailey, Kit Wiley, Deputy Todd Patterson) If they all reached for it, Kit would draw back because she’s self-abnegating. Todd’s a gentleman, so he’d defer to the ladies. Dierdre’s pretty preoccupied with herself, so she’d be munching pancake.

19. What would be a good pickup line for 2 to say to 10? (Andrew Peterson, Palomar Blu) Man of 1938 vs. woman c. 3800? Cheesy lines about Destiny come to mind; but keeping it in character, decorous Andrew would say, “We haven’t been introduced, but those machine gun guys in the tinfoil armor seem to be giving you some trouble. May I offer assistance?”

20. What would 5 most likely be arrested for? (Jeff Barrister) If that little misunderstanding in Majorca caught up with him, he’d be arrested for conspiring with thieves & kidnappers.

21. What is 6’s secret? She thinks it’s a secret that she’s head-over-heels in love with Jeff Barrister. But as far as secret information goes, she has knowledge of her late father’s research that [**spoiler redacted**] causing a lot of trouble.

22. If 11 and 9 were racing to a destination, who would get there first? (Willoughby Atson, Victor Vladimir) This might be a tortoise and the hare scenario. Victor has money on his side, so he can hire planes, trains, and automobiles to get there first. But Willie is young, athletic, resourceful, and neurotic. While Victor lingers smugly at the door, Willoughby will be sneaking in a back window.

23. If you had to walk home through a bad neighborhood late at night, who would you feel more comfortable walking with, 7 or 8? (Sierra Dodge, Rusty Norman) I’d feel more comfortable walking with Rusty. I wouldn’t want to see what Sierra did to any aggressors.

24. 1 and 9 reluctantly team up to save the world from the threat posed by 4’s sinister secret organization. 11 volunteers to help them, but it is later discovered that s/he is actually a spy for 4. Meanwhile, 4 has kidnapped 12 in an attempt to force their surrender. Following the wise advice of 5, they seek out 3, who gives them what they need to complete their quest. What title would you give this fiction?
Dierdre Bailey’s financial consulting for Cascavel has resulted in her discovering that he’s linked with terrorists. Fearing for her own safety, she bypasses the authorities & contacts another client, Victor Vladimir, for help. Vladimir sees the advantage of playing the hero, while incidentally not compromising some of his “business affairs” that are indirectly associated with Cascavel’s network.
Meanwhile, Cascavel assumes the persona of a wronged lover & hires Willoughby Atson to get close to Dierdre & find out how far her “relationship” with Vladimir has gotten. Willie takes the job, not realizing that she’s imparting information to a black market criminal. Before long, however, her instincts set off alarm bells, and she plies Dierdre for details until she learns the truth. When both parties refuse to go to the police, Willie advises them to contact Jeff Barrister, who’s dealt with terrorists before.
Elsewhere: While following a lead in the Ventura hills, Deputy Todd Patterson gets captured by an ever more nervous Cascavel, who hopes to use him as a bargaining chip to buy the others’ silence.
Back in town: Jeff Barrister finally learns the whole story, and tells Dierdre & Vladimir to just go talk to Cassie Barrister’s dad, the police chief, which they should have done in the first place. They do, the SWAT team rescues Todd, vital information is recovered, and Cascavel escapes into the mist to torment the world another day. TITLE: “Tangled Webs.”

As a writer, this turned out to be a great exercise for character development—and I came up with a couple plots I hadn’t thought of before!

Your turn, as a writer or reader. Who would you pick for your Twelve?

© mousewords 2010 – All characters & story outlines copyright Christine and Stacy J-M Taylor, unless otherwise noted.

I couldn’t resist a crisis.

In Honor of World Book Day and the Mass Twitter Fiction Event, I’m debuting the main characters of The Rosewood House on Twitter! For four hours today, along with many other courageous twitterers, Jeff Barrister and his friend Rusty Norman will face terror on the high seas. They thought a cruise on the Poseidon would make for a relaxing vacation from their security tech business…but they were wrong.

Meanwhile, Jeff’s cousin Cassie—stuck at home in Atlanta–watches helplessly from the sidelines.

Follow the events of the crisis via official Twitter updates, and see all the participating tweets at a glance on search.twitter.com.

Have fun, don’t be alarmed…and grab your virtual life jackets.

~~~

Read more about the journey to publishing The Rosewood House, and subscribe to this blog to receive the latest updates and fiction!

TwitterTales…the creation of writer @seamusspeaks…a complete short story in one month, one Twitter post a day, 140 characters at a time. Not as easy as it sounds, and it doesn’t sound easy. But fun? Most certainly.

@Seamusspeaks invited me to participate last December–I came on board 4 days late, which led to the title of my first TwitterTale…“Four Days Late.” It began the story of Lady Marian of the Barony, as she struggles to find her lost family. Little did I know what writing a TwitterTale would be like–I had visions of completing a novel in less than 30 days. Heh heh. Not happening. December’s Tale was rather rushed at the ending, as I ran out of days.

But I was ready for January. I wrote the whole month’s Tale in one sitting, and posted one segment every day (unless I forgot, ahem). And I am continuing the saga each month.

But as it might be hard to find the Tales in the mountain of my Twitter Blither, I’m posting them in their entirety, to date, here on my blog. I’ll add every day’s post until the month’s story is done.

So whether you follow me on Twitter or subscribe to my blog, I welcome you to check back daily for the latest part of the adventure!

And stay tuned…

~~~~~

At the Cry of Ne’erday

TTb:01 Snowflakes settled on the hair of Lady Marian, peasant-born confidante of Baroness Aster, as she stood where she had a week before.
TTb:02 Before her was the maw of the cave where she had escaped the plan of Duke d’Lorrimer, who desired secrets of the Barony. Her secrets.

TTb:03 A messenger had lured Mari to her home camp with news of an attack. Now, her people were still missing & the traitor was found dead.

TTb:04 Beside her was a tall man with sword & crest. Sir Robert Wood, Knight & nobleman. He had saved her, & now returned to search with her.
TTb:05 Her heart thanked him, as it did Edward, Horseman of the Barony, keen & wiry ally who had been loyal. He too returned to help.

TTb:06 “The trail is cold Milady,” said Rob. He treated her as nobility though she was but a wild peasant whose friend had married well.

TTb:07 “My people never came to the caves. Yet the camp is destroyed. Where are they? Would the Duke know?” Rob was grim: ”Would he tell?”

TTb:08 Ed sighed “I should revel for Hogmanay, yet I choose to stand in the snow.” “With thy mouth closed, one would rather” Rob bantered.
TTb:09 “I shall search quietly” Ed vowed. “I saw spires of a castle deep in the woods—Perhaps there?” Rob frowned “It’s the Winter King.”
TTb:10 “Truly he could shelter my camp!” Mari said. “Nay” said Rob “He’s cold & disloyal to his land. Returns only with the season of snow.”
TTb:11 “But I must try” she whispered & quickly mounted her horse. “You both need not follow.” The 2 men smiled wryly: “Oh no?” & followed.

TTb:12 The day’s ride took them to the King’s lavish, snowy land. Nearing the castle, Rob said low: “Be cautious. This King is no friend.”

TTb:13 Rob’s nobility gained them audience with the King. Garbed in velvet & ermine he looked powerful. His eyes scorned Rob & fell on Mari.
TTb:14 “Who is this charming lady & why honor me with a visit?” he said. Ed groaned under his breath. Rob frowned. Mari blushed & explained.
TTb:15 The King said: “You seek refugees but they aren’t here. Stay with me & I will send for word of them.” Mari stammered thanks & agreed.
TTb:16 Mari was led away by courtiers. “This is bad” Ed barked privately. “I dislike him!” Rob was grave: “Now we’re separated—that I hate.”

TTb:17 Mari came to supper richly gowned. The King doted on her & tried to draw her away from her friends. She cast tense glances their way.
TTb:18 “To Ne’er’day!” the King toasted “To a year’s alliances” “With whom?” Mari asked. “With the Barony” he smiled, “& you if you’ll stay”
TTb:19 Mari blushed. “I must leave to search!” The King said: “No need. My men are searching.” Ed muttered to Rob: “Yes & my horse can fly”

TTb:20 As Ne’erday dawned Mari stood outside. She was offered a rich life as Queen & an army to find her camp. Yet her heart staggered. Why?

TTb:21 The King came behind her, asked: “Deciding?” “I cannot stay” she murmured. His face was cold. “But you must. Or the Barony suffers.”

TTb:22 Mari paled. “What?” The King’s face hardened. “I desire you for my wife. I can destroy the Barony if you refuse.” She panicked. “No!”

TTb:23 “I can’t marry, I must search—” The King grabbed her arm. “Your camp is lost. I heard tell the Duke destroyed them all. Give it up!”

TTb:24 Mari struggled vainly “You never sent the army” she charged. He sneered. “You are a fool. Go inside Lady, this will be your home now”

TTb:25 Suddenly a command: “Let her go!” The King spun & saw Rob. Mari escaped & ran to him. “Leave us Knight or pay dearly!” the King raged

TTb:26 “You have no power over Milady’s choice” he challenged “The Barony guards the land in your foul absence & is honored. You are hated.”

TTb:27 To Mari he said “Go quickly to Ed” She hesitated but feared for his safety without help, so obeyed. Yet Ed waited to take her away.

TTb:28 “Ride quiet, Rob will come after” Ed relayed throwing her up on her horse. Mari clung to her mount as it pounded the road behind Ed’s.

TTb:29 Miles later the sound of more hoofbeats gave her heart fear then relief. Rob was riding. “What happened?” she asked at a pause.

TTb:30 “Ride hard. I fear we are outlaws” said Rob “The King is weak in the land but not in his home. I seem to have angered him. Ride hard.”

TTb:31 Mari & Ed agreed. The three rode hard through the woodlands for the rest of Ne’erday, & escaped…to an uncertain future.

The end…for now…

All content © 2008 Christine Taylor

TwitterTales…the creation of writer @seamusspeaks…a complete short story in one month, one Twitter post a day, 140 characters at a time. Not as easy as it sounds, and it doesn’t sound easy. But fun? Most certainly.

@Seamusspeaks invited me to participate last December–I came on board 4 days late, which led to the title of my first TwitterTale…”Four Days Late.” It began the story of Lady Marian of the Barony, as she struggles to find her lost family. Little did I know what writing a TwitterTale would be like–I had visions of completing a novel in less than 30 days. Heh heh. Not happening. December’s Tale was rather rushed at the ending, as I ran out of days.

But I was ready for January. I wrote the whole month’s Tale in one sitting, and posted one segment every day (unless I forgot, ahem). And I am continuing the saga each month.

But as it might be hard to find the Tales in the mountain of my Twitter Blither, I’m posting them in their entirety, to date, here on my blog. I’ll add every day’s post until the month’s story is done.

So whether you follow me on Twitter or subscribe to my blog, I welcome you to check back daily for the latest part of the adventure!

In the meantime, here for your reading pleasure is the entire text of “Four Days Late.” And stay tuned…because February is underway…

~~~~~

Four Days Late

TTa:01 Marian stood in the empty camp and stared at the devastation. 4 days. She was 4 days late. How could one make up for 4 days lost?

TTa:02 A winter wind bit at her lips as she drew a gasp. Tents & supplies were scattered. No sign of life. She was afraid to start looking.

TTa:03 A messenger had been sent but was caught. He escaped after 4 days. Only then did Marian get the news: Her home camp was under attack.

TTa:04 Marian had grown up among the forest camps. Now she was lady in waiting to a baroness. But her blood was wild, & her spirit was free.
TTa:05 With no more aid than a knight, a horseman & the messenger, she had come to save her people from the enemy. But found home in ruins.

TTa:06 Movement behind her; a large form. A deep, quiet voice.“What next Milady?” The knight. A nobleman, returned from war that very day.

TTa:07 He was a war hero & noble; Marian had a background lower than peasantry. Yet he quickly helped her. Eyes wet, she replied: “Search.”

TTa:08 The four combed the camp. Silent, cautious. Marian knew the enemy could hide. Raiders, thieves, they were. Covetous of home’s bounty.
TTa:09 Soundless minutes passed. Then a voice:“Everyone’s gone.” The wiry horseman, roughly clothed, eyes wary. “Fled? Captured?” he asked.

TTa:10 “Doomed,” whispered the messenger. A shell of a man, eyes blank. “The enemy took no prisoners.” The Knight stared. “They took you.”

TTa:11 He turned away. The Knight eyed him. “The safe Caves!”Marian exclaimed.“We’ll try there!” But the Knight caught her hand to stop her.

TTa:12 “The barony is rich. The friend of the baroness knows secrets.” “I’m not important,” she replied. “Yes you are,” he whispered. To me.

TTa:13 “I must find my family” Marian begged. The Knight paused. “Then we go to the caves.” He glanced at the messenger & saw him watching.

TTa:14 Marian gave the Knight a grateful gaze & brushed past the messenger. As dusk came on the 4 rode out. She led the way, wary & nervous.

TTa:15 The forest was dark by the caves. The messenger halted, said “I’ll wait; I’m weary.” Marian went cold & saw the Knight grip his sword
TTa:16 The Knight glanced at her & the horseman. Both tensed. “It’s dark. Get wood for torches.” He led the way. “I’m sorry” Marian murmured.
TTa:17 “You fear an ambush” said the horseman under his breath. The Knight’s eyes lit with steel. “Too well. But we are not caught yet.”
TTa:18 “They want you & expect us as an army” said the Knight to Marian. “What’s in the cave?” “Tunnels & many exits. One is ahead” said she

TTa:19 Suddenly came footfalls in the dark—many. “He’s told we’re only 3” whispered the Knight. Mari grabbed the 2 & pulled them to the cave
TTa:20 They saw dark forms & glint of steel. “Inside” said the knight. She knew the tunnel well. “This goes to the front & east.” “Good.”

TTa:21 “We need our horses” said the Knight. Mari gasped: “But my family?” “We must escape & return.” She nodded, grieved. “This way.”

TTa:22 “Tis a harsh way to spend Christmas,” said the horseman. “In a cave!” The Knight smiled. “It was good enough for the Savior.”

TTa:23 Mari led them into the cave, a torch aloft for light. Soon she snuffed it to embers saying “The entry is close, enemies may be near
TTa:24 The entry tunnel opened wide before them, echoing with fierce voices. One the messenger’s: “You cannot blame me for her escape! Noo!”

TTa:25 “Comb the woods. Find her!” they heard. The Knight drew breath. “What is it Rob?” said the horseman. “The voice, Ed! Duke d’Lorrimer!

TTa:26″Him here? Why?” said Ed. “I don’t understand, the Duke is the Baron’s close friend” Mari gasped. “His closest traitor” said Rob, grim
TTa:27″The Duke can take the Barony if he has Mari’s secrets.” Rob & Ed vowed to protect her. Taking the cave tunnels they emerged far away

TTa:28 The 3 made it back with news of the Duke’s plot. They were hailed as heroes; but Mari vowed to soon return & find her family. THE END.

All content © 2007 Christine Taylor