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Getting Over The Past
Don't you envy fictional characters?
I do. They're usually beautiful (in their own way), loved (by their fellow characters and fans alike) and they always seem to overcome the challenges the author sets for them. At least...that's the way it's supposed to go.
My latest heroine, Isadora "Izzy" Lukin, has a past. We all do, of course. But hers is a little harsher than...well, most peoples'.
As an author, it's my job to throw tough circumstances at my characters. Some say to drop your character into an ocean of great white sharks and watch them swim to safety. Another old adage is put your character up a tree and shoot at them.
Izzy's past is darker than going to prom with a jerk or marrying a lazy bum. Izzy has an impulsive side that's gotten her into trouble before. But two years ago she was attacked, left for dead and saved by vampiress Valencia Fabelle. It was only when Valencia turned Izzy that Izzy got a second chance, the opportunity to put her past behind her and start fresh.
This is the toughest part of my job. Torturing my characters. Creating conflict. Finessing the drama that is their lives. I don't like torture, conflict or drama. (Unless it's drama on the dance floor. Hello new season of Dancing With The
Stars!)
So when Izzy popped into my brain and told me her story I was alarmed. The girl's had a tough life. And as I dug deeper I started to wonder just how I was going to be able to get her over her past.
How does anyone get over their past?
How do we move on when we lose a loved one?
How do we overcome betrayal?
How do we learn to trust again?
What does it take for us to open our heart and believe in love and second
chances?
What I discovered through writing Izzy's book is it's all about your attitude and the people you surround yourself with. It would have been so easy for Izzy to become a shell of the vivacious woman she'd once been, but she doesn't. A large part of that saving grace is the women in her coven of vampires (her friends.)
But Izzy also has tenacity and determination. She made herself get back in the game, rejoin the living...er… the undead? It couldn't have been easy. But the best things in life usually aren't a cakewalk. That's what makes them worthwhile.
Izzy's new life as a vampire might have given her a clean break from her old life, but I think she would have turned things around all by herself. She's just that kind of girl.
Do you have your own coven of girlfriends who are there for you through thick and thin? Have you had to get over something from your past? Are you still a work in progress? What helps you move forward in life? What books or authors give you hope and make you believe in happily ever after?
ABOUT SELENA BLAKE
An action movie buff with a penchant for all things supernatural and sexy, Selena Blake combines her love for adventure, travel and romance into steamy paranormal romance. Selena’s books have been called “a steamy escape” and have appeared on bestseller lists, been nominated for awards, and won contests. When she’s not writing you can find her by the pool soaking up some sun, day dreaming about new characters, and watching the cabana boy (aka her muse), Derek. Fan mail keeps her going when the diet soda wears off so write to her at Selena@selena-blake.com
The ultra handsome beta of Novogrod pack, Maxim Ciolek is taking a much needed vacation on Mystic Isle when a beautiful but shy vampiress catches his eye. She deserves more than a one night stand and because that’s all he can offer her, he vows to leave her alone.
Ceara Blackwell is eager to leave her sheltered life behind and start knocking items off her bucket list. Item one: a first kiss. But as mysterious Maxim works his way into her heart, she wonders if she's found a forever-kind-of-love.
But love isn't easily claimed, even in paradise.
Izzy's book, Games Demons Play, comes out April 25th.
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Great post Selena. You handle your characters as if they were people. Life throws things at us and we all have to deal with it, to sink or swim. Sometimes we have support groups to help us through things other times we don't. I enjoy reading about characters that some would say are damaged. I would say they are recovering from past traumas and are just works in progress. But then isn’t that what we all are? Fictional characters provide us an escape and for the moments we share with them we can and do believe in the possibilities, in the HEA.
Hi Selena,Loved the interview ! My favorite things about your books is they have all the elements a book should have : A well written storyline,characters that bring the characters to life,as a reader,you almost feel like you're there with them and rooting them on,there has to be some angst or adventure for the characters to work through to reach their goal of a happy ending,and some humor to make it interesting,and let's not forget about the sexy Alpha's ! I sincerely love your books,Thank you for writing them ! I can't wait for Izzy's story in the Mystic Isle series -- thank you for the contest and the opportunity
Great post, Selena. I love strong heroines and Izzy sounds like she gives as good as she gets! Excellently put, to overcome life's obstacles, positive energy is needed around you, surrounding yourself by those that value you is always important, in real life and for fictional characters as well.
Dottie :)
Hi Selena. I enjoy your books. Great post about getting over your past.
Monica
Love Selena's books can't wait to read this one!
Thanks for the awesome post! This book sounds fantastic :) Definitely want to read it now!
Sounds like a great book! I really need to read the first one.
Woo this sounds really good, thank you for the chance :)
My family tends to be those that rally me to keep going and come back from problems. Usually I tend to be fairly reliant but I did have an injury a few years back that has completely changed my life. Living with pain each day makes it a little harder to bounce back, especially since it makes it difficult to get out & do things a lot of the time due to the pain, muscle spasms, and the side effects of the medications that I have to take to help with them :(
Great post I do have my coven of girlfriends who I d be lost without they are always there.Books by Gena Showalter, Kresley Cole JR WARD ,Lynsay Sands ,Sherriyln Kenyon Jennifer Ashley all make me believe in happily ever afters Thank you for sharing with us today.Have a fantastic week.
I am most definitely still a work in progress!!
Work in progress!!
mlawson17 at hotmail dot com