Marita and Lukas

Last week, I wrote about Marita's Christmases past, so this week, I thought I'd share this feature about her Christmas Present. 

When Charli was a toddler, Marita and Charli moved out of Marita's parents' house and into a home of their own. Charli's grandparents continued to spoil her, but the piles of presents under the tree at Marita and Charli's house was definitely smaller. Marita Christmas shopped all year so the haul from Santa wouldn't pale in comparison to what Charli was used to, but a single mom's salary didn't cover what Charli's grandparents' expendable income did.

What they lacked in gifts, Marita tried to make up for in atmosphere. Every year, she and Charli would buy a new ornament for their tree and one new decoration to add to their collection since they now had a whole house to fill with Christmas cheer. And, of course, their Christmas Eve tradition of hot cocoa and Christmas movies continued. Church wasn't a part of the package, but this year, things are, once again, a little different.

Marita let go of Lukas’s hand and took the bracelet he held out to her.

“What do you think?” he asked.

“It’s beautiful.” Cubes of emerald green glass, set apart by small silver and gold beads, formed a circle that just fit inside her palm. Dangling from the clasp were a silver crucifix and a silver medal. “Is that Mary?”

Lukas nodded. “It’s a Miraculous Medal.”

“A what?”

“A Miraculous Medal.”

“That sounds like a Catholic thing.”

Lukas nodded. “It is. I was raised Catholic. This is a rosary bracelet. My mom had one, and she used it to teach me the Lord’s Prayer and the Hail Mary. It’s been more than twenty years, but I still find those prayers comforting.”

“But we don’t say the Hail Mary at Holy Redeemer.” 

Lukas shook his head. “No, we don’t. But prayer — ”

“Is personal,” Marita finished. “So you’ve told me. The bracelet is beautiful. Please don’t tell me you have one just like it.”

Lukas grinned, and Marita’s heart melted. No macho bluster about boys and bracelets. Just a good-natured —

“Actually, I do.” His grin grew wider, a sure sign that his response was purely for effect.

“Excuse me?” 

He took Marita’s hand again. “My mom’s. She passed away two years ago, and my dad gave me the bracelet at her funeral. He told me he hoped it would help me get through the pain.”

“Did it?”

Lukas nodded. “I still miss her. Especially at Christmas. But when I hold that bracelet in 

my hand, I can feel her near me.” He cleared his throat. “That sounded weird, didn’t it?”
 
“Not at all. I’m glad you have something of hers that means so much.”

“Anyway….I’d like to get this for you. If that’s okay. I mean, if I’m not pushing too hard.”

“No. It’s beautiful. But you don’t have to — ”

“I want to. I noticed that you had lots of Santas and snowmen, but nothing — ”

“Churchy?”

Lukas grinned. “Is that the technical term?” 

“Why, yes, it is.” Marita looked down at the bracelet. It was beautiful. Delicate, understated and inexpensive enough that she didn’t feel uncomfortable accepting it. Besides, she couldn’t think of anything more Lukas than a bracelet that invited prayer. 

Even if she RSVP’d no. 

Amazon

Christmas with Marita

 It's been a while since I put my characters in the spotlight. Here's a throwback to 2018 and some behind-the-scenes (and on-the-page) details about one of the protagonists of my Christmas-themed book, Chasing a Second Chance.

Marita's earliest memories of Christmas are of piles of presents under the tree and itchy dresses worn to Christmas Eve services. As she got older, the piles grew only slightly smaller, despite the fact that the price tags were steeper, but the arguments about church grew louder and more intense. Her parents liked to drag her to the midnight service -- the one that began with caroling at 11:30 which meant arriving promptly at 11:00 to "get a good seat." Even as a child, Marita was mystified that one seat was better than another at church. Couldn't God see and hear them equally well no matter where they sat? 

As a young teen, Marita began to resent spending the night before Christmas in church and longed to spend it as some of her friends did, wrapping gifts, drinking hot cocoa and watching Christmas movies in their pjs. The Christmas before she was pregnant with Charli, Marita snuck out on Christmas Eve to be with her friends and indulge in a different kind of Christmas cheer, infuriating her parents and creating a Christmas to remember -- and not in a good way. After Charli was born, Marita skipped out on church and began creating the Christmas Eves she'd wanted all along. Marita's parents saw to it that the pile of presents awaiting Charli on Christmas morning was ridiculously extravagant, but Christmas Eves belonged to Marita and Charli.

geralt via Pixabay

Bets gently directed Marita’s arm downward until her margarita was back on the bar. “That’s enough for now, sweetie.” She unwrapped Marita’s fingers from the stem of the glass and took hold of her hands. “I’m so sorry.”

“Charli accused me of not wanting her to have a relationship with her father. Right after she blamed me for this whole custody mess, which followed pretty closely on the heels of her telling me she doesn’t like me dating Lukas, who wants me to join the church when I’m barely ready to go to church. Merry Christmas to me.” She moved to reach for her drink again, but Bets still had a hold of her hands.

“I think I see the problem here.”

“Well, good for you.” Marita pulled her hand free and grabbed a pretzel from the bowl on the bar.

“Ri-Ri, you have a teenager.”

“Oh, Bets, that’s bull. This is Jim’s fault. Everything’s Jim’s fault.”

G is for Gina (and Girlfriends)

 From the moment Angel's Jersey girl friend Gina makes her debut in Casting the First Stone, it's clear to the reader that the women are nothing alike. Still, a friendship forged in the office of an auto repair shop persists despite the women's differences in background, lifestyle, and marital status. Although Angel's life has changed dramatically since her days as a receptionist, the bond between the two friends remains, with Angel bringing out Gina's softer side and Gina nudging Angel to be more daring.

Marita and her best friend (and sidekick) Bets have a lot more in common. As with Angel and Gina, life changes have led the two women down different paths, but Bets provides a glimpse into the Marita she has always known -- the one readers can imagine, but never see. It's easy to see how Marita and Bets could have been very much alike earlier in their lives, and that gives readers insight into the events and emotions that shaped Marita into the character who shows up on the page.

Just as women need girlfriends in real life, so too do fictional characters. Both need sidekicks and amateur therapists, Bible study buddies and drinking buddies, people to pick us up when we're down and ride the wave alongside us when life is wonderful. 

Our friends give us glimpses into ourselves, seeing us in a way we can't see ourselves. In fact, that's part of what makes writing secondary characters so much fun. They can be daring and outspoken, providing a contrast to a character who's more quiet or serious, or a complement to one who is equally ready for whatever comes next. They can move the plot forward by talking our protagonists into (or out of) adventures and bad decisions. They can steal the story at times, and the same character can be beloved by some readers and disliked by others.

Bets is a good example of this. Some readers relate to her fierce loyalty and sense of fun, while others see her as a bad influence. A suggestion from one reader that Bets needed her own book inspired her parallel story line in Courting Peace, a move that was sure to please some readers and annoy others. 

In the novel I'm working on now, no one bears any resemblance to Marita or Bets, nor to Angel or Gina, but each has her own distinct personality and way of interacting with the others. Recently, a woman who was supposed to have only a walk-on role ended up with a much bigger part. She insisted, and I didn't argue. It was clear that she brought something different to the story, so I widened the circle.

In the real world, friends help us to shape our identities and navigate our lives. Why should it be any different in fiction?

Way Back Wednesday: Gregory Who?

 Last weekend, I finally tackled some of the clutter in my office. Among the random slips of paper on my desk was a playlist for Marita (one of the  protagonists in my novels) and Gregory.

Gregory? 

I'll let this post from last summer re-introduce you.

Gregory Daniels, Esq. appeared in Casting the First Stone, but after "beige" date with Marita, he never got a second chance. At least not until the third book, when he showed up early on, hoping to convince Marita he was worth a second look. 

Here are a few things I know about Attorney Daniels. 

1. When he's not at work and/or in court, he's most likely in the law library or at the gym.

2. He worked as a barista to put himself through law school. 

3. He admired the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg because she was feisty, smart and had a hunger to see justice served.

4. He has two older sisters. 

5. He thinks he made a mistake not trying harder with Marita.

And one thing I learned? He can be very persistent when he wants something. 

Or someone.

Oh, and that playlist? 

Here you go.

"Taking a Chance on Love"

"Crazy"

"Since You've Asked"

"Love Shack" 

Admittedly, that last one is kind of an outlier. Not sure what I was thinking when I chose it but, in reviewing it, I enjoyed departing from the standards.

 

5 Things I Knew About Gregory Daniels and One Thing I Learned

Gregory Daniels, Esq. appeared in Casting the First Stone, but after "beige" date with Marita, he never got a second chance. At least not until the third book, when he showed up early on, hoping to convince Marita he was worth a second look. 

Here are a few things I know about Attorney Daniels. 

1. When he's not at work and/or in court, he's most likely in the law library or at the gym.

2. He worked as a barista to put himself through law school. 

3. He admired the late Ruth Bader Ginsburg because she was feisty, smart and had a hunger to see justice served.

4. He has two older sisters. 

5. He thinks he made a mistake not trying harder with Marita.

And one thing I learned? He can be very persistent when he wants something. 

Or someone.

 

Back on the Porch Swing with Marita, Angel, Charli and Bets

Created with Canva

As promised, I've invited my characters back to the porch swing, but it was too hot for them yesterday. Today, after a rainstorm, it's cool and dry and they're ready to chat -- so much so, that I put them in charge of the questions (I never know where these discussions will end up anyway). Bets has offered to go first :-)

Bets: If you could go back and do one thing in your life differently, what would it be?

Charli: I wouldn't have broken up with Todd. Mom, how about you?

Marita (laughs): That means she doesn't want us to ask her for further details. Hmm...one thing. And everything else in my life would be the same?

Bets: If that's how you want it.

Marita: Okay. I would have gone to college.

Angel: Me too.

Charli (looks from her mother to her stepmother): Neither of you...?

Marita and Angel shake their heads.

Charlie: I never realized that. 'Course I guess it's kinda my fault that you didn't go, Mom.

Marita: No, it's not. I never really loved school, and I'd had enough of it by the time I was 16. I wouldn't have appreciated college then. Now, I realize how many doors it could have opened for me.

Charlie: If not for me. 

Bets: C'mon, Char. You heard her. She wanted everything else in her life to be the same.

Charlie: Did you go to college, Bets? 

Bets: One semester of community college. I wasn't exactly a stellar student and my parents didn't want to lay out the money for me to go away to college. That was the experience I wanted, though, so I kind of tanked. I didn't exactly try.

Marita (guffaws): That's one way of putting it.

Charlie: What -- ?

Bets (mimes zipping her lip): I plead the fifth.

Nietjuh via Pixabay

Charlie: You could still go, Mom.

Marita: I might. But you definitely will. There will be no negotiating.

Angel: I agree.

Charlie: How come you didn't go to college, Angel? Didn't you like school either?

Angel: Oh, no. I loved school! But I didn't know what I wanted to go to college for, and it seemed a lot to ask of my dad to send me to school when I didn't know what I wanted to study. So, I decided to work for a while until I made up my mind. And then, I met your dad.

Marita: If you could go now, what would you study?

Angel: Business. Or psychology. How about you?

Marita: I really do like my job, so probably something in law. But I don't want to be a lawyer. Maybe a paralegal. Bets?

Bets: I'd get a degree in theatre arts. Really, truly study acting and directing. 

Charlie: So, what's stopping all of you? And why do I have to go if you all didn't?

Marita: Let me take those in reverse order. I want you to have the experience. And college opens doors. Now, that said, if you had a different plan -- you really wanted to be a carpenter or a welder -- 

Charlie: A welder, Mom?

Marita: Whatever. If you wanted to go to school for something that didn't require college, I'd be open to discussing that. But I want you to be ready for wherever life could take you.

Charlie: So, what's stopping all of you from going now?

Angel: I've always wanted to be a mom. There's no career I want more than that.

Bets: I'm too old.

Marita: Bets!

Bets: No, seriously, Ri-Ri. Can you imagine me competing with all those college girls for parts? I want to be the ingenue, not someone's mother. Besides, Char, school is kind of a habit. Once you get out if it, it's hard to start it up again. It's easier to just go straight through. Or, at least I think it would have been.

Charli: Mom?

Marita: I've actually been thinking about it.

Bets: You...What brought this on?

Marita: I've been reading online about how the pandemic has shaken up the job market. How a lot of women have left and might not return, and how many people are considering changing jobs. I guess it got me thinking.

Angel: Wow! Marita, that's so -- 

Charlie: Cool!

Marita: Do you really think so? I mean, Bets is right. It takes a lot of discipline to do the work. Especially when I already have a job.

Charlie: So quit!

Marita (laughs): Oh, Char! It's not that easy. Besides, I want to make sure I don't stop saving for your education. 

Angel: Well, you certainly won't have to do that on your own. Jim and I will contribute to Charli's college.

Bets: And I'm sure Rosemarie and the Judge will send some cash your way, wrapped up in a nice, neat little bow of opinions and ultimatums. (clears her throat) Sorry, Charlie.

Charlie (laughs): That sounds about right. Just don't tell them I said that. And, Mom, I don't want to be the reason you don't go back to school. That's not fair.

Marita: You're right. But it's not you, it's me. I'm your mom. I want to make sure I invest in you and your future. But I'll also take money from your father without blinking an eye!

Created with Canva

Bets: As you should.

Angel: No argument here.

Bets: Ri-Ri, are you serious about this?

Marita: Well, I've looked into some online programs...

Bets: You are! Is tuition reimbursement part of your contract?

Marita: Yes, but how did you --

Bets: Temp job as a high school secretary. So, when do you start?

Marita: Wait! I'm not --

Bets: Wait for what?

Charlie: Yeah, Mom. What are you waiting for?

Angel: Well, this conversation certainly took an interesting turn.

Bets (grins): It sure did. And it all started with my question.

Kicking Back on a Virtual Front Porch

amazon.com

It's always fun when someone asks me to write a guest post or join them on a podcast. A few weeks back, I had the opportunity to slide off my porch swing and join Linda Culbertson and Nancy Shank on their virtual front porch for their Front Porch Book Club podcast. 

I never know what to expect when I visit a new podcast. Years of teaching and acting have made me reasonably comfortable with off-the-cuff conversations, but awareness of rolling tape definitely adds an edge. Most of the time, things turn out well and I have fun, and this time was no exception. I had a blast!

Sisters Linda and Nancy have a really interesting set-up. Each book gets two air dates. The first is a discussion between Linda and Nancy, book club-style, about the book they're featuring. The second (that's where I came in) is a conversation with the author. It's light and fun, but they asked me some of the best questions I've even been asked about anything I've written.

The first Casting the First Stone episode just went live this week, and I'm so excited that I'm telling you about it even before I finish listening to it myself. I hope you enjoy it as much as I enjoyed being a part of it, and I hope you'll decide to visit Linda and Nancy's virtual front porch to hear about all of the other books they'll be talking about. 

https://frontporchbookclub.com

It's Here!

Available as an e-book from Amazon.com

After a long delay, the final book in the Marita/Angel/Charli series is finally here! I'm very excited, though I must admit I'm not sure where I want to go next. This book has been my writing goal for so long that, aside from continuing work on the paperback edition, I don't know where to turn my attention. In addition, release days for indie authors during a pandemic are a little like a birthday during these times: exciting and meaningful to the person to whom they belong, but unable to be celebrated in the usual fashion. While I'm shouting about the book from the social media rooftops, I can't get together with friends to toast the book, or celebrate its existence. All in good time, I suppose.

The fact remains that the book is out there and the series is finished, something I find both exciting and bittersweet. I've been hanging out with these characters for over a decade and, although I know other characters await, I feel a little sad saying goodbye to this group. Yes, I'm aware they're not real people -- but the job of an author is to make them feel real to readers and, to accomplish that, they have to first feel real to her.

Mission accomplished.

Fortunately (or not, depending on your perspective), this isn't a group that will go away quietly. They might be a welcoming committee on the porch swing as new characters visit from other neighborhoods or, like grown children, they may drop in to visit over the holidays. But one thing is for sure.

You can always find them in the pages of these books. Happy reading.

Sometimes Masks Reveal More than They Hide (Marita & friends visit the Porch Swing)

When I started writing Marita and Charli's story, COVID was unheard of. Ah, those were the days!

Now, as my characters join me on the porch swing for a Christmas visit, we're all masked. Here's what my well-dressed characters are wearing.

Marita's not very political, but she loves this RBG mask from TEEPUBLIC:

Today, however, she's gone with this one:

TEEPUBLIC

Charli has a theme going on:

Favorite everyday mask

Today's selection

TEEPUBLIC

At left, is Angel's usual favorite (although she wishes it were pink), but today's she's wearing one that reflects her feelings about Christmas.

TEEPUBLIC

Amazon.com

<------This is the one Bets usually sports (she's quite content with basic black), but today, she couldn't resist some Christmas color.    

                                       

                           

TEEPUBLIC

As for me, I found a mask that pretty much sums up the whole story: 

"Nobody's walking out on this fun, old-fashioned family Christmas 
We're all in this together."

Thanks for coming along for the ride. 

*There's a reason nearly all of these masks are from TEEPUBLIC (and it's not because I'm lazy). 

I found the site quite by accident when I was working on this post, and was impressed by the fact that 

they support independent artists. In addition, they match each purchase of a non-medical mask with the donation of a medical mask to Direct Relief. With nearly 300 pages of (currently on sale) masks to choose from, it's easy to do good just by upgrading your mask wardrobe.  

No, I don't get a kickback, but I like sharing info about people who do good things. 

Guess I'm like Angel in that way.

A Fond Farewell

The final book in the MAC (Marita, Angel, Charli) series is finished, except for the final polishes (yes, there are several) and it is -- dare I say it? -- on track for a January release.

Yes, yes, I know you've heard this before and I'm as tired of saying it and not delivering as you are of hearing it and not reading. But this time, I have all of the magic ingredients in hand -- a thorough copyedit from a trusted editor, time off from teaching, and no other books competing for a publication date. Sure, there are other projects vying for my attention -- there always are, and I'd be nervous if that weren't the case -- but this one is at the top of the pile, the list, and the general to-do list that includes everything else in my life in addition to my writing. 

Still, it's bittersweet. I know these characters better than I know some people, and I’ll be sorry to say goodbye. My mind whirs with possible encounters. Maybe the characters for my next novel will move onto Marita's street, or next door to Angel, or be in a play with Bets. In fact, I can imagine one character-under-construction being quite at home with Marita’s mother and Nora Michaels. Maybe one of them will pop up for a cameo in another novel. At the very least, Marita and friends are likely to turn up here to commandeer a blog post now and again. Just because I've typed "The End" that does not mean they'll stop trying to boss me around.

So, as it turns out, maybe it's not goodbye after all. More like a "see you around."

And, in the case of the final book, see you soon.

National Tell a Story Day, Featuring Charli and Angel

Happy Monday! Today is National Tell a Story Day so I thought I'd give Charli a chance to tell her story. Readers of what I've come to call the MAC Series (for Marita, Angel and Charli, the main characters in Casting the First Stone and Chasing a Second Chance) have heard her voice in the second book. She has a point of view in the third book as well, but since Marita shares her history (and Charli's) in Casting the First Stone, we don't really get Charli's take on anything before the custody mediation.

Charli being Charli (and Marita's daughter), she had ideas of her own and she thought it'd be more interesting if she and Angel interviewed each other, since both of them grew up with a sometimes-absent parent. Charli invited her mom to come along....

"Mom, are you sure you don't want to come?"

Marita hesitated, then nodded. "I'm sure. This sounds like something between you and Angel." Marita reached out and gave her daughter a one-armed hug. "Besides, I already know how the story turns out."

An hour later, Charli and Angel were parked on the porch swing, oohing and ahing over pictures of Spencer.

"She's growing so fast!" Charli said.

Angel tucked her phone back in her purse. "I know."

"That's good, though, right? Especially with a preemie."

Angel nodded. "Very good." She paused for a moment, watching her stepdaughter pick at her thumbnail. "What's your earliest memory, Charli?"

Charli stopped picking and looked up, scrunching her face in thought. "In life or of Dad?"

"Either one."

Charli leaned back against the porch swing. "I remember Mom singing songs and telling stories to get me to go to sleep when we lived at Grandma and Grandpa's. Grandma always thought Mom put me to bed too late, but when she put me to bed early, I wouldn't sleep. I waited for her to come to bed."

"You remember that?"

"I'm not sure if I remember the part about Grandma or if Mom told me that, but I do remember playing with my stuffed animals until Mom came to bed. We shared a room. How about you, Angel? What's your earliest memory?"

"Picnics," she said. "We picked up fried chicken at the store because Mama never really liked to cook. I'm actually not sure if she liked the picnics either, or if they were Daddy's idea. Mama never really looked happy. Or maybe that's just how I remember it now."

"I'm sorry you grew up without your mom." Charli shook her head. "I can't even imagine."

"It's wonderful that you and your mom are so close. I hope I have that kind of relationship with Spencer."

"You will. I mean, there's no way she doesn't know how much you love her." Charli cocked her head and squinted at Angel. "Does that make you sad?"

"No! Not at all. That was a really sweet thing to say. I was just thinking -- "

"About my dad?"

Angel laughed. "Not much gets by you, does it?"

Charli shrugged. "Mom says I'm dangerous that way."

"What do you remember about visits to our house? When you were little?"

"I remember...I remember not knowing why I had to come -- no offense."

"None taken."

"I remember you having all kinds of stuff planned, but Dad not really knowing how to act around me."

"You remember that?"

"Well, at five all I knew was that he didn't act like the other adults I knew -- Mom, Grandma and Grandpa, and my teacher. Mom explained to me that he didn't have a lot of experience with kids."

"What did she tell you about why you came to visit?"

"Well, she told me he was my dad, and so I asked why he didn't live with us and she told me it was just better that he didn't. I asked her why and she told me that they didn't get along anymore and he was happier -- they were both happier -- living their lives apart from each other."

"You remember all that?"

"I asked a lot of questions, and Mom always answered them. As I got a little older, I could tell that it was hard for her to find the right words. Mom always answers things right away and when I asked questions about Dad, she always hesitated, like she had to think about the answer. And sometimes she got a funny look on her face. I think I even asked her if I should stop asking but she told me to never stop asking questions." 

"It wasn't really fun for you to come over, was it?"

Charli hesitated. "Not at first because I was so used to it being just me and Mom. But I got more comfortable with it. And it seemed like it made you happy."

"You could tell that?"

"Uh huh." Charli hesitated again. "This is gonna sound wrong, but I mean for it to be a compliment. It's hard for me to believe that your mom never looked happy because you always do."

Angel put an arm around her stepdaughter. "That is probably the nicest thing you could have said to me."

Charli picked at her thumbnail again. "Families are weird."

"Unique," Angel said gently. "No two are quite the same."

Okay, my imaginary porch swing looks nothing like this
but, if Angel were designing it....
Photo: vargazs via Pixabay

Want a little more? Check back on Wednesday for the opening to Courting Peace, the third (and final) book in the MAC Series.

May all of your stories today have happy endings.

What's on my Characters' Desks?

Last week, I chose 6 things on my desk and considered how they'd earned the space they were taking up -- and what they said about me.

But those were just the six items that made the cut. They aren't the only things on my desk (surprise, surprise!)

So, this week, I thought I'd take a look at a few things that are on my desk that might also be on my characters' desks.





My high heel tape dispenser would definitely make the cut for Bets's desk, although she'd likely go for the red sequined one.

My Echo Dot might grace Marita's kitchen counter so she can listen to music and check the weather as she races to get ready in the morning or makes dinner in the evening.

The file bin that corrals my miscellaneous files would be a great fit for the built-in desk in Angel's kitchen but she'd probably choose something floral, like the Bold Bloom version on top of my bookcase. Unless, of course, she tucked her files into a drawer instead.

And Charli? I think the photo holder on the corner of my desk might just find a spot on hers. The spiral clip at the top makes it easy to switch out one photo for another -- Anna today, Todd tomorrow, then back to Anna....

Mine says "Reach for the stars."

The things we keep close are a reflection of who we are and where we are in our journey. Bets' sparkle, Marita's multitasking, Angel's desire to make things pretty and Charli's evolving emotions all contribute to the lives they lead (even if they are on the pages of a book) and the decisions they make.

And if you want to know who the front runner for that photo clip is, don't worry. You'll find out.

Sooner or later.

Way Back Wednesday: My Kingdom for a Title

Yesterday, a project I'd put a lot of time and heart into got rejected. While rejection is always disappointing, it's a part of the writing life. Like most writers, I have other projects in the works, so I'm choosing to look at this as found time that I can spend on those other books....

Like the ones about Marita, Angel, and Charli. 

I wrote the original version of the post below just shy of three years ago, which means that's how long I've been working on the final book. In the meantime, I think I've ironed out the tech issues I was having with the re-release of Casting the First Stone, which means it should be out soon (for real!), making the final book -- the one that inspired this post -- next in line and it, too, is close. 

This is MAC year -- time for Marita, Angel and Charli to come out and play again. There's only one problem....

Photo: Prawny via Pixabay

If creating a character is my favorite part of a writing project, coming up with a title is my least favorite.

Creating a character is a process that's expansive and full of promise. People on the page can be anyone I want them to be: someone just like me or my polar opposite. Young, old, short, tall, professional, down-to-earth, obnoxious, kind, male female.

Or all of the above, because few stories contain just one character.

A good title is just the opposite. In just a few words, it encapsulates everything the work -- whether blog post, article, novel or something altogether different -- has to offer. It's a teaser, a grabber, or, dare I say, "click bait," designed to bring the reader into the piece.

No pressure there.

I don't spend a lot of time on blog post titles. In fact, when I first started blogging, I didn't title my posts at all. Then I read about the importance of the title, so I grudgingly succumbed. In that same spirit, I should work a little harder at finding the "just right" title for each of my posts, but this is one place where I abandon perfectionism and settle for "good enough," hoping that the law of averages is in my favor, since I write four or more posts each week.

I'm a little pickier about creating titles for my magazine pieces, but here I'm content with "good enough" because I know an editor has the right to change anything I come up with. When I'm getting paid for a piece, I give the title my best shot, but I also don't obsess over it because creating a title I love makes it that much harder to accept a change if the editor has something else in mind.

Tumisu via Pixabay

And then there are books. Currently, I'm contemplating the title of my next Marita/Angel/Charli novel and that is much, much harder. Casting the First Stone came to me immediately, but coming up with Chasing a Second Chance was a much more laborious process, consisting of multiple lists and also-rans, with numerous contenders rejected along the way.

For this third (and last) one, I came up with a title I loved -- two, in fact -- but one didn't fit the pattern, and I was told that's a bad idea. The other was fun, but didn't meet my goal of encapsulating the themes and journeys of the characters in the book.

So, I kept writing, figuring I'd come up with something. Perhaps my characters would help me out.

But then the book was finished. The revisions were nearly finished.

Still no title. Until...

I found my mystery c-word -- the one to go with "casting" and "chasing" -- and then the rest was obvious.

So, I give you the title for the final book: Courting the Final Verdict.

Unless I change my mind again. You know how authors are.

A National Tequila Day visit from Marita and Bets

Happy National Tequila Day! Although tequila is emphatically not my drink of choice, Bets and Marita do love their margaritas, so it seemed as though they should make an appearance here today. But first, an update.

Casting the First Stone is still unavailable (except through me, as I still have some copies from the original printing) while I put the finishing touches on a new cover for the re-release. Chasing a Second Chance is still available in paperback and Kindle versions on Amazon and is part of the Kindle Unlimited library.

I completed the third book in the series (still untitled!) at the end of June and I'm in the middle of revisions, so I thought I'd share an excerpt. Since it's National Tequila Day, it seemed only appropriate to choose a scene that takes place at the bar where Bets's boyfriend, Trevor works. 

       Aspen crossed her legs, revealing the better part of a tanned, well-toned thigh. “So you’re the new model. A little more mileage than I expected.”

Bets’s eyes narrowed and Marita slid off her stool, placing herself between Bets and Aspen in two brisk paces. “I’m Marita. Bets’s friend. You here for a reason?”

Aspen looked at her, amused. “You’re cute. Sticking up for your little friend. No need. I’m just here for a drink.” She took a sip of her black Russian. “And maybe a little reminiscing.”

Trevor shook his head. “Sorry, Aspen. All sold out.”

Aspen replied with a torrent of delicate laughter, as though Trevor had just said the funniest thing she’d ever heard.

Bets rolled her eyes. Marita nudged her friend surreptitiously toward a stool and Bets took the hint. Slowly and deliberately, Bets placed herself on the stool. Then, in full actress mode, she turned to Aspen, all smiles. “Well, you’re just in time for our toast. Trevor, honey, why don’t you get Aspen a glass of champagne?”

Aspen held up her glass. “This is fine. And I won’t be doing any toasting, thank you.” She finished off her drink, then stood, dropping a fifty on the bar through well-manicured fingers. “I just stopped by to say hello to my dear, dear ex and, lucky me, I got to meet my successor and her entourage. Such a pleasure. Have a good night, all.”

Aspen strolled out of the bar, capturing half a dozen admiring glances along the way. Through the front windows of the bar, Marita watched Trevor’s ex nod to the man who held her door as she climbed into the back seat of a long, black, late model sedan. Closing the door behind her, the man walked around and climbed into the driver’s seat, easing out into traffic shortly thereafter.

Gregory cleared his throat. “Well, that was interesting.”

Bets gritted her teeth. “That’s one word for it.”

I'm very excited for you to read the rest! The book should be ready to go to beta readers at the beginning of August. Meanwhile, if you have a great title idea, please share it in the comments below. I have one I love (Red Dresses and Revelry), but would prefer to stick to the first, second, third theme.

How will you celebrate National Tequila Day? Unlike Marita and Bets, I'll bypass the margaritas and indulge instead in an iced chai from Starbucks.

After all, I have revisions to attend to.