The world always seems brighter when you've just made something that wasn't there before. ~ Neil Gaiman, author
What a weekend!
For those of you who don't know me, I began working on Saving Toby in the spring of 2010. At that time, the story was loosely configured in my head, and though I'd been writing all my life, I didn't know a lick about how to publish a book, but once I started putting this story together, I couldn't stop.
I fell in love with the my characters, and every day, I thought about how the story would unfold. I had to keep a notebook on hand at all times. Ideas flooded me day and night.
Claudia had originally started out as introverted and rather meek. But I found myself not liking her character. If you've read the Twilight series, I think you might understand what I mean when I say, I could never understand Edward's obsession with Bella. She was rather dull. I didn't want Claudia to be nondescript and boring like that. Despite my desire to make her compassionate, I found myself turning Claudia into a driven young woman who refused to have her goals sidetracked.
Though some readers have voiced their complaints that Claudia's treatment of Toby is a bit too staunch, I feel that this is what Toby needed to make the necessary changes in his life. In my opinion, her character is a true representation of many of today's motivated and focused girls; ones who I've had the pleasure to watch grow up into young women. Girls such as my own daughter, her friends, classmates and Girl Scouts, who are all now in their twenties. Despite their beauty, many of them chose grades over guys, and their will to excel has always impressed me.
And Toby, what can I say? This guy ruled my thoughts for the last three years. Oddly, narrating his chapters came more easily to me than Claudia's. I knew him from day one -- the guy stole my heart long before he stole Claudia's.
"Saving Toby" should be out in physical book form early in the new year, and "Keeping Claudia" is really
taking shape. So make sure you have a way to get updates on my progress (see below), buckle up and hold on to your seats. Saving Toby is only the beginning for me. I'm just getting warmed up.
Like small children, I currently have 5 works begging for my undivided attention. Now if I could quite my day job, I could really turn them out.
Peace.
Ways to get updates:
Peace.
Ways to get updates:
Get on my Email list by
sending me a request at: suzannemckennalink@gmail.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/SuzanneMckennaLink
Twitter: Suzanne McKennaLink@SuzMcKLink
Tumbler: http://authorlink.tumblr.com/
stopping by to read - thank you for stopping by WU and leaving a comment!
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely loved your book and I'm so.glad the story is hog over. I cant wait to read "Keeping Claudian"!
ReplyDeletePlease forgive the typos in my first post. I need to put my glasses on before I post reviews. :)
ReplyDelete