Fun Fact

Fun Fact:  The word "fun" was considered a slang word back in the early 1800s.  I have to make sure not to use it too often, and if I do use it, it should be in a young person's dialog.

Veronica

The Butler

Simmons was the original name I came up with for Earl's loyal servant.  He has been employed by Earl's family for most of his life.  This character was inspired by Michael Caine, but in my mind, he's shorter in stature and I don't picture Mr. Caine when I envision him.  Perhaps it's his English accent and demeanor that has inspired me?  Even though Simmons is in his dotage, he can still be charming.

Veronica

Kat

Kat is wife to Duke, mother to Lady and aunt to my heroine.  Marrying for love was rather uncommon at the time, but Kat stole Duke's heart and married far above her station. She has adjusted to her new position in society well, almost as though she was born into privilege. However, her maternal instincts prove to be far stronger.

Veronica

Duke

Duke is my heroine's uncle by marriage, and also her guardian.  He is the father of Lady and is like a father to his orphaned niece.  He is a powerful and influential man, though he is also loving, doting, respectable and protective.

Duke was also inspired by one of my relatives because of his paternal instincts; he became a father-figure, taking on the role when a loved one passed.

Veronica

Grams

With mention of Gypsies, of course I have to include a fortune-teller in my novel.  Since she is elderly and the matriarch of a large family, I will refer to her as Grams.  Her method of divination (predicting the future) is a crystal ball.  She's very devoted, protective and stubborn.

I still need to develop more of a back story on this character, who should prove to be very interesting.

This character was inspired by one of my own relatives.  I don't know if she would have been too thrilled about being an inspiration for a Gypsy, though!  Regardless, I think it's the thought that counts the most; how I remember her. 

Speaking of which, have a happy and safe holiday weekend!

Veronica

Lady

Today, I'm going to discuss my supporting female character, who I will call Lady on here.  She is a cousin to my heroine.  I refer to her as Lady because she is the paragon of what a young woman in her time should be.  She's beautiful, graceful, polite and has caught the eye of many eligible bachelors.  She is the voice of reason for her cousin and is more like a sister to her.

Even though Lady plays a vital part in my novel, I find that her character development is lacking.  That is something I will need to work on while revising.

This blogging has really been helping me with my writing.  I've been writing more than what I have in a long time.

Veronica

The Earl

Introducing my other lead male character .  . .  even though he's mentioned second, he's certainly not least!  Initially, I was going to make him an earl, but it wasn't working right in my story, so I changed it.  I'll refer to him as the Earl here, because that is how he started out for me.  He is the mystery man in my novel.  He has dark hair and gorgeous blue-green eyes that are as changeable as the sea.  He's slightly taller than the captain, with a little more brawn.  He appears to be in his early thirties.  Needless to say, women are drawn to him like a moth to a light.  There is something ethereal (otherworldly) about him.  

Veronica

The Captain

Today, I'm going to discuss a leading male character in my novel.  He is mentioned first in my novel; that is why I chose to introduce him first here.  I'm going to refer to him as the captain, because that is how my heroine addresses him.  He's an English sea captain, obviously.  He's in his early 20s.  He has blue eyes, light brown hair that used to be blond when he was a child, athletic build, and stands a little over 6' tall.  He's protective and his heart belongs to one woman and to her alone.  He would do anything for her.

Stay tuned as I will introduce my other leading male . . .

Veronica

My Heroine

My heroine has always felt out of place, especially living in late Regency England.  Most of the young, single females of that time were in search of a husband, excel at playing musical instruments, needlework, art, gossiping, etc.  She has no plans for marriage, and has no interest in the things a young woman her age should, save reading and drawing.  She's very strong-willed, speaks her mind more often than she should and her concern for others often times comes before her own well-being.

Stay tuned as I will next discuss my leading male characters . . .

Veronica

The Romany

I have Gypsies in my novel, or as they prefer to be called, the Romany (or Rom/Roma.)  It was very interesting to research this culture.  Did you know some Romanies are fair-skinned and some have red hair?(1)  There's an old saying that if you ask 10 different Rom the same question, you'll get 10 different answers. If you ask one Romany the same question 10 times, you still get 10 different answers.(2)
One fun bit of information I found was about the moon and how they use it to predict the weather.  When the crescent moon's horns tilt upwards, it means she's holding her water, so the weather will be nice.  If the horns tilt downward, it will be showery.  Major changes in weather usually occur at the moon's quarters.(1)  I don't know if there's a direct correlation between the moon phases and the weather, but I have noticed nice weather when the crescent moon's horns are turned upward.  Have you ever noticed more restless nights during a full moon than during the rest of the month?  My husband doesn't sleep well during full moons.  He thinks there's a connection there.

The Romany have many other good luck charms, omens and beliefs.  Very interesting. 

Veronica

1.  Cooper, Patrinella (2002) Gypsy Magic: A Romany Book of Spells, Charms & Fortune-Telling Boston: Red Wheel/Weiser, LLC
2.  Buckland, Raymond (2001) Gypsy, Witchcraft & Magic, St. Paul, MN:  Llewellyn Publications

Genre

Genre:  I already mentioned that my novel is a historical with some paranormal elements.  It also contains a love story.  I wouldn't classify it as a romance, though that is the genre I usually read.  It also contains time travel, but not the kind you see in the movies Back to the Future or Kate & Leopold.  I will not elaborate anymore than that, otherwise it will become a spoiler.  Just tell me to write faster!

Have a good weekend!

Veronica

Narrative

Today's tidbit:  My novel is written in third person narrative.  As a reader, I like to be like Edward Cullen; where I can get into all the character's minds.  That's why I chose to write in third person.  There's also more obstacles that come with writing in first person.  For example, if the narrative character is not in a scene, one of the other characters present has to relate it back to the narrator.  Also, the other characters have to tell the narrator what they are thinking and feeling.  I'm not saying I don't care for first person narrative.  I enjoyed the Twilight saga, which was written in first person.  It really made me think about how those novels were written and the complications that would arise with the narrative.  In closing, I just find it less complicated to write in third person.

Veronica

War Horse

I watched War Horse over the weekend.  What a moving film!  Another impressive work of Steven Spielberg.  I also loved the score by John Williams.  His music really brings out the emotion of the film.

I must have been living under a rock as I didn't know the setting was in England.  I enjoyed watching the DVD special feature about filming in Devon.  It's always nice to get a visual of a country that I'm writing about. 

* Devon currently is not in my novel, but it is a part of a name that I use for one of my characters.

Copy & Paste

Did you know for research papers, some college students will copy directly from web sites and paste it into their research document and claim it as their own.  Even when their college professors and instructors forbid it.  That's how easy it is to plagiarize these days!  Talk about lack of ambition and creativity!

Veronica

My Characters Are My Own

I've decided it might be kind of fun to give some clues and tidbits about my novel, so check back often.
Today's tidbit:  My characters are my own creation.  Some have been inspired by some of my favorite stars and some fictional characters.  This is not a Phantom novel (obviously not from the setting), though I have been inspired by some of the scenes and songs from The Phantom of the Opera.  This is not a continuation of a Jane Austen novel.  Though it takes place shortly after her time, Austen's novels have been helpful to understand the time period that I'm writing about.  I may have a mention of one of her works in my novel.

To be Continued . . .

Veronica

The Salvatore Brothers

I was shocked with the ending of the Vampire Diaries, or as I like to call it, the Salvatore Brothers.  I did not see that coming.  Now we have to wait all summer until September to see the next episode!

Veronica

Introduction

Hello,

My name is Veronica R. Winters (not to be confused with the Russian artist) and I am a closet writer.  What is a closet writer, you ask.  A closet writer is one who keeps her writing a secret from most of her family, friends, and acquaintances.  Why, you ask.  Because I don't know how people will react.  Many people can be very unsupportive when it comes to someone pursuing the arts.  Many tend to squash another's dreams under their heel like a bug!

While I have been working on my first novel, I prefer to surround myself with supportive people and have come up with a pen name to keep my true identity a secret.  I do not plan to go the traditional publishing path.  My goal is to complete my first novel.  Then, I will decide if I would like to self-publish.  I prefer the idea of self-publishing for the reason of being my own boss.  Too many times, I've seen some of my favorite authors recycle characters and storylines to make a deadline.  I don't want to become that kind of a writer.

One of the FAQ I would receive if I "came out of the closet" would be what am I writing?  My work in progress, The Whisperer of Storms, is a historical novel set in late Regency England, with some paranormal elements to it.  You can read more about it on my website.   

Have a good weekend!

Veronica