At the annual RWA conference in Washington, D.C. this year, speaker Eloisa James told how certain events in her life showed up in her novels. Sort of.
She explained how a recent health scare with her husband gave similar scenes in her novel, This Duchess of Mine, more authenticity and spark when she drew from the well of her own emotions during the personal crisis.
Of course the hero and heroine of her book were going through something a bit different. As historical characters they obviously lacked the knowledge of medical discovery. As an historical romance author, she punched up the drama accordingly.
In this case, the author and her heroine shared the concern and worry for their husbands through the search for the right resolution to the health problem.
According to the speech it made for challenges – mostly the positive kind – in the writing. As a fan of the book, I’ll tell you it made for some very satisfying reading.
The point is, this book reflected a piece of the author’s life, if not exactly in medical terms, most definitely in emotional impact.
Thank you, Eloisa.
It’s important for writers (of any genre) to have the courage to tap into the personal emotional well. Events past and present in our own lives can give us the fuel to feed the reactions of our own characters.
As authors of paranormal romance, remembering emotions (good and bad), and reactions (big or small) can lend an authenticity to the story. Making the reader ‘feel it’, no matter the species, world, or situation, keeps the reader engaged with the story and keeps the pages turning.
Keeping a journal is one way to keep tabs of events and the emotions that go with them. Photos can spark memories too, as can the sense of smell. Whatever works for you – don’t be afraid to use it for the benefit of the story you want to tell.
Live the adventure!
