Author Archives: Cecelia Dowdy

Creating Characters

I started talking about this subject a little bit here.

When creating characters, you’ll need to get to know them. I do this by filling out a character chart, where I’ll answer a series of questions about my characters. It’s good to use a chart because you want a broad range of information about your character, however, you don’t want to overload your mind with useless information. For example, it might not be important for you or your reader to know that your character had a cat named Spencer when she was in the fifth grade. However, your reader may find it interesting to know that your character likes animals, and that your character’s love of animals inspired her to become a veterinarian! The following list of questions can be used as a guide. You can probably find a similiar list of questions on other writers’ websites if they have sections on character development.

CHARACTER HISTORIES

Character Name: Age:
Physical Characteristics:

Best Feature:
Worst Feature:
Feelings about their own looks:
Clothes:
Ethnic Background:
Siblings/Relatives:
Neighborhood of Youth:
Education:
Church affiliation:
What they believe about God:
Parent’s Attitudes about: Money/Getting Ahead: Sex:
Discipline received:
Friends:
Special Opportunities:
Spouse/Children:
Job:
Neighborhood:
Attitude about: Money/Getting Ahead: Sex:
Hobbies:
Favorite Foods:
Favorite Music:
Favorite Movie/Book:
Friends:
Fears/Inhibitions
Guilt:
Longings/Goals:
Weaknesses:
Strong Points:
Habits:
Pet Peeves:

RULING TRAIT: the driving force, the trait that affects all their actions and reactions:

A character question: Does your character MAKE things happen or REACT to what happens?
What is the most significant/emotional things that have happened in your character’s life?

Also, another list of questions I’ve used in the past, is from a book entitled The Writer’s Digest Sourcebook for Building Believable Characters by Marc McCutcheon ISBN: 0-89879-683-0 Pages 34-48. I did not post the list from this book here, however, I encourage all who are struggling with character development to get this book and use it as another guide in helping with building characters. I used this book a great deal when I first started writing and was just learning how to develop my characters.

Also, if you are writing an inspirational novel, it’s important to know your character’s views about God and religion before you begin your story. Also, maybe you’ll want a focus a bit about your character’s religious upbringing. For example, was he/she raised in a Christian home? Were his/her parents atheists?

Here is a blog post where I fill out a character sheet for the hero in my Christian Romance Novel, John’s Quest.

Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com

In High Places By Tom Morrisey

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Hardcover: 320 pages
Publisher: Bethany House (March 1, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764203460
ISBN-13: 978-0764203466

From the inside cover:
A breath from tragedy, a whisper from glory.

For Patrick Nolan, every climb tells a story. And now maybe it’s his own…He’s right at the rim, staring over the cliff’s knife edge and wondering how things went wrong so quickly.

It all started after arriving home from a weekend climbing trip with his father, Kevin. That’s when word reached them. In a silent moment, they’d lost the person most important to them — her death raising unanswerable questions and dangerous doubts.

Launching a new life in a new town to escape their pain, son and father find themselves in danger of being torn apart forever. As his father seeks a route to solace on the dangerous high face of the rock, Paterick finds a path to hope with the unlikeliest of allies — a pastor’s daughter. Together they must discover the one answer that can bring Patrick and Kevin back from the brink of the precipice.

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I really enjoyed this book. I’m not much into rock climbing, or any type of sport for that matter, but the book was a good read. After Patrick’s mother’s sudden death, him and his father, Kevin, open a rock-climbing store in West Virgina.

I really liked the twist near the end.(SPOILER BELOW, DO NOT READ IF YOU HAVE NOT YET READ THE BOOK)
The twist I’m talking about is when we discover that Patrick’s mother’s death may have not been a suicide. Also, since I’m a romance novelist, I enjoyed reading about the flourishing romance between Patrick and Rachel, however, I wish I could have changed the ending, and made it so that they were together at the end! I was so disappointed that they hooked up with other people!

Patrick’s faith was something he had to learn late in life on his own since neither of his parents ever attended church. When he accepted Christ, and then was baptized by Preacher, and started going to Rachel’s church regularly, made it a book truly worth reading. Then his newfound relationship with Christ caused a rift between him and his father, a rift that did eventually iron itself out, somewhat, however, we’re left wondering if his father really did accept Christ before his tragic death.

I also loved how Patrick and Rachel accidentally came across his deceased mother’s Bible, and they found evidence that she had, indeed, accepted Christ before her untimely death. I was relieved when I read that part. I know these people are not real, but when a writer does a great job with developing his/her characters, I sometimes forget that I’m reading about fictional people.

Oh, another unique thing about this book, which I loved, is that it takes place in the seventies! I grew up in the seventies, and hope to write a book of my own one day that takes place during that timeframe!

I highly recommend this book as a good, satisfying read. It’s a little bit different than most of the books that I read, but different in a good sort of way. Also, it’s told in the first person, which is not something I see in books very often nowadays.

Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com

Krispy Kreme

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For several years I’ve been hearing about how great fresh Krispy Kreme donuts taste. But, alas, I’ve never had one fresh from a Krispy Kreme shop. I’ve only had them when purchased from the grocery store.

Grocery store Krispy Kremes do NOT do justice to the Krispy Kreme reputation! My family and I had breakfast at Krispy Kreme this morning in Matthews, NC, near Charlotte, NC. We enjoyed the glazed, lemon-filled, and custard filled donuts! My hubby enjoyed one of the berry-flavored chiller drinks and I enjoyed a tasty cup of freshly-brewed coffee!

I did manage to pop into the Family Christian Store for a hot minute! They have a fairly good Christian fiction section, but I did not purchase any books since I was in a hurry.

Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com

New Creation Bookstore

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I visited this store today and throughly browsed through the fiction section. I noticed that they had five Heartsong Presents titles, however, they were old, published back in 2005. I’ve been told that some Family Christian Bookstores stock the new Heartsong Presents titles prominently in their stores, with an end cap. However, I’ve never seen current Heartsong Presents titles in Christian or secular bookstores. Since I have a book coming out with them, it would please me to see the book in the store at the same time that the bookclub members receive their titles.

However, I did see PLENTY of Barbour’s state-themes anthologies. I also saw a few of Barbour’s women’s fiction titles.

Randy Alcorn, the author of the non-fiction title Heaven, has a novel out. I didn’t realize that. It’s called Deception. I’ve never read Heaven, since I’m mainly a fiction gal, however, it has crossed my mind to read this title. Maybe I’ll consider reading it when and if I ever get finished with The Purpose Driven Life. I also wonder whose idea it was for Randy Alcorn to pen a novel? Did his publisher ask him to pursue it since he was so popular in non-fiction, and this would be another avenue of writing for Randy to explore?

Speaking of non-fiction authors penning fiction novels, I purchased a novel my Michelle Mckinney Hammond entitled The Last Ten Percent. Ms. Hammond usually writes Christian non-fiction about dating, being single, and relationships. I wonder why she felt compelled to write a novel? I’ll definately post a review of the novel whenever I get around to reading it.

Thr3e, which was released as a movie last January is already out on DVD. I was surprised that it was available so soon after it’s theatrical release.

In addition to The Last Ten Percent, the other books I purchased were:
Sticks And Stones by Susan Meissner
and for my toddler son: All Things Bright And Beautiful

Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com

Charlotte…

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North Carolina, that is. My family and I are going to Charlotte, North Carolina over the next few days. Hopefully, I’ll find the time to visit a few Christian bookstores along the way.

Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com

Ransomed Dreams By Amy Wallace

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Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Multnomah Fiction (April 17, 2007)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 159052747X
ISBN-13: 978-1590527474

I am pleased to post the following interview about author Amy Wallace! Enjoy!

1. Tell us a little about Ransomed Dreams.

Ransomed Dreams is about answering two questions: “Can dreams be redeemed?” and “What does forgiveness look like?”

Gracie Lang is being watched by a man who will stop at nothing to hide the truth from her. Having lost the only man she ever loved and the children who were her world, the truth is all Gracie wants – an explanation for what really happened. She longs to move forward but is bound by chains of fear. Then she meets Steven Kessler, a Crimes Against Children FBI agent assigned to uncover an international plot to kidnap the British Ambassador’s daughter. Steven awakens more than memories; he revives the possibility of a life Gracie desires. A life where healing and peace crowd out the nightmares. But his case and her past are dangerously connected. Suddenly, Gracie must decide if she’s able – let alone willing – to pay the required ransom to redeem dreams and restore hope.

2. Why write about FBI Agents and children?

I wanted to be an FBI profiler after I graduated college. But that’s not the path God intended for me. Instead I get to interview, read about, and then write about people I admire~ without having to do all the pushups. LOL

Why children? I adore my children and am passionate about them being a gift to treasure and helping tired moms (what mom isn’t tired?) remember that.

3. The Defenders of Hope website has a page with resources for protecting children. Can you tell us more about that?

It’s often been said that children are our future and our most valuable asset. They’re also incredible blessings from God. Ones we as parents want to protect. On the Protecting Our Kids page there are website links, safety tips, articles and statistics to help parents be armed with the knowledge and practical strategies to help keep children safe.

One of the most important things we can do is to pray with and for our children.

The next is to educate ourselves and them about internet usage and staying safe strategies. Netsmartz http://www.netsmartz.org/ and America’s Most Wanted kids http://www.amw.com/kids/ are two of my favorite resources.

4. This is obviously something very close to your heart. Can you explain your passion and what you hope to achieve?

My best friend says that when we’re at a mall she’s looking for great shoes while I’m monitoring the exits. I totally resemble that statement. Growing up military behind the Iron Curtain, I used my imagination early to dodge “spies” and concoct stories of what would happen if. Now as a mom and a suspense writer who does tons of research, my imagination takes me places I hope to never go in real life. I’m painfully aware that we don’t live in a safe world. So I want to share all I’ve learned with other moms as well as to encourage parents to not walk by fear, but be armed with knowledge tempered with faith in an all-powerful God.

5. With homeschooling your children, what does a typical writing day look like?

A typical writing day looks like a Saturday. 🙂 That’s the day I work from 9am to after midnight and get the majority of my writing done. I attend to edits and business things during the week while my children have afternoon quite times and then I also work after bedtime.

6. Who inspires you?

My children. They love life and they love God unapologetically. They work hard, play hard, and get back up when they mess up. They also forgive easily and love deeply. I want to grow up to be more like them.

7. How do you create your characters?

I don’t really hear my characters like a lot of my writing friends do; I see them. It’s like having a movie reel playing all the time in my head. Often that’s incredibly distracting. But the cool thing about the way I’m wired is that as I see these stories and characters, that’s a way the Holy Spirit speaks to me. Many times God touches on areas where I’m weakest or leads me to explore my greatest fears. In telling the best and most intense story I can, I walk it through with my characters and I’m changed. I love that part of being a writer. Especially when I don’t have to get shot at to learn!

8) Why is April 23rd a special day?

On this day 36 years ago, a little baby boy’s first cry changed my world. I wouldn’t realize that fact until twenty-three years later when a gorgeous, blond-haired, blue-eyed missionary stepped into my line of vision and smiled. Two month later he asked me to be his wife. I said “yes” and eight months later we said “I do” in a beautiful mountain chapel.

Now with over 12 years of marriage and three precious girls, it’s become a little hard to find something unique to do for his birthday. So I thought I’d share with you all some things about my hubby and ask you to help me wish him an extra special Happy Birthday!

Top Twelve Reasons Why David Wallace Rocks:

1) He fears not for his life when he says I’m beautiful right after I step off the scale scowling. And he does this often.

2) David not only cleans the house on Saturdays so I can write, but he’s also a fantastic cook. (Sorry gang, I’m keeping him!)

3) My hubby doesn’t just support my homeschooling, he jumps in and tackles being math teacher so my kids don’t have to know how truly math-challenged mommy is.

4) He agrees with me that chocolate is a vital daily nutrient.

5) He’s a great basketball player and will occasionally let me win a game without making it too obvious. Same goes for ping-pong matches.

6) He’s a great daddy who tells his little girls silly stories to make them giggle and prays for them every night.

7) He never stops trying to grow.

8) David has a heart for the high school seniors he teaches at church to show them how to reach for their dreams by walking intimately with God.

9) He’s quick to admit when he messes up and will humble himself before co-workers, friends, family, and especially me and our daughters to ask forgiveness.

10) David tells everyone who will listen what an incredible writer his wife is, and he totally believes that even if I don’t.

11) He’s always there to brainstorm and listen to my wild ideas, and he tells me they’re wonderful, even when I’m pretty sure they need tons of work.

12) My husband teamed up with God to push, pray, and provide my way onto the writing path. It was his cheering and total confidence in me that propelled me to type that first sentence that would become Ransomed Dreams some five years later. David was also the one who never gave up hope, even after one too many rejections or tough edits saw me wanting to quit and never type again. He’s always believed in me and encouraged me to do what he knew God had called me to do.

So for all these reasons and more, HAPPY BIRTHDAY, HONEY! I love you to infinity and beyond!!! 😉

Care to join me in wishing my hubby a happy birthday? Please leave a note in the guestbook. He’ll treasure it and I’ll treasure the smile you’ll help me bring to his now 36 year old gorgeous face.

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I hope you’ve enjoyed reading this interview as much as I have! Oh, what a romantic man!
Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com

Chocolate Beach

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ISBN: 0764202618
ISBN-13: 9780764202612
Format: Paperback, 336pp
Publisher: Baker Publishing Group
Author: Julie Carobini

No, I have not read this book. However, the title intrigued me. I saw it advertised in the recent issue of Today’s Christian Woman magazine. The book was appealing to me because I love sweets (especially baked good like cookies and cakes) and I love beaches. I prefer pretty beaches with blue water and white pretty sand. Examples of some places I’ve visited with great beaches are: Hawaii, Tahiti, Cozumel, Cancun, Bahamas, Jamaica, and the Caymen Islands.

I might purchase this book and read it. I think the cover is really cute! If I do purchase this book, I’ll be sure to blog about it once I’m done!

Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com

Peanut Butter Cookies

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Here’s a link to a great cookie recipe I made last weekend. If you go to the link, just want to warn you that there’s a typo. It says bake them 8-22 minutes when it’s actually 18-22 minutes!!! I’ve provided the text below, with corrections, also with my notes on how I made my cookies taste better!

Mrs. Fields Peanut Butter Cookies

2 teaspoons Vanilla
1 c Peanut butter — creamy
3 Eggs
1 c Butter — softened
1 1/4 c Sugar
1 1/4 c Dark brown sugar
1/4 t Salt
1/2 t Baking soda
2 c Flour

Preheat oven to 300ºF.

In a medium bowl, combine flour, soda, and salt. Mix well with a wire whisk.

In a large bowl, blend sugars using a mixer at medium speed. Add butter and mix to form a grainy paste.

Add eggs, peanut butter, and vanilla. Mix at medium speed until light and fluffy. Add the flour mixture and mix at low speed until just mixed. (Do not overmix).

Drop by rounded tablespoons onto an ungreased cookie sheet, (I used a melonball scoop to measure cookie dough onto the sheet)1 1/2 inches apart. With a wet fork, gently press a crisscross pattern on top of the cookies.

Bake for 18-22 minutes (for my oven, the ideal baking time is 25 minutes!) until cookies are slightly brown along the edges. Transfer cookies immediately to cool surface with a spatula.

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Writing-wise, if there are any questions that readers may want to ask me about how I went about getting commercially published, feel free to send me an email at dowdywriter@aol.com I might answer the question on my blog.

Tomorrow there will not be a blog. It’s a national day of mourning for the victims in Monday’s Virginia Tech shooting. I’ve also heard that it’s supposed to be a silent blog day. I’ll continue praying for the friends and families of the victims.

Cecelia Dowdy
www.ceceliadowdy.com