Five Once a Stratton Quirks

[image error]While writing my current works-in-progress, Once a Stratton, I’ve noticed a few things that just don’t add up … or are simply not supposed to be there. I decided, instead of calling them ‘errors,’ to call them ‘quirks.’

It’s my sneaky way of getting you to read about me being stupid without even knowing it.

I mean, I guess you know it now … but you wouldn’t have if I hadn’t told you. Because I’m honest. Painfully honest.

Basically, unless I outline thoroughly, my characters take over my novel and make it into something I never intended it to be.

I’ve had people pop up and subplots pop up (which I shove the resolution for into the third book ’cause what the heck? It’s not like the third book in this book is waaay too full of plot while the second has no plot to speak of …).

So let’s examine these. Now. Before I forget them.

1: Beau Harvey

I was just writing along … minding my own business ….

AND SUDDENLY THERE WAS THIS RANDOM CHARACTER AND I DON’T KNOW WHERE HE COMES FROM AAAAAAH!!!

Introducing Beau Harvey, age twenty, a ‘Southern gentleman’ from Virginia. He’s an optimistic, somewhat imaginative guy with a deep, dark secret.

This was not supposed to happen. Who is Beau Harvey? Why is he here? Why does he suddenly get a subplot dedicated to him!?!

2: Colin & Georgiana

You’re fine, okay? You’re fine and your marriage is fine and … just shut up. I don’t want to deal with you right now. Maybe later …

Seriously, though, these two were supposed to be the perfect couple, and Chris and Lilli were supposed to be the ones who were struggling to keep it together … and yet it’s just the opposite.

I mean, don’t get me wrong. Colin and Georgiana are still a united front, but they … they’re just so sad. Because they’re not even friends. *weeps*

3: Peter is a rag doll

He’s twenty months old. He should have a personality and actions, okay? But instead he’s just passed around like a doll, from Chris to Lilli and back again. If he was two months old, I might get away with it to a certain extent … but not at twenty months.

4: Suddenly we care about Georgiana?

Whaaa?! Georgiana isn’t a character we care about. I mean, we do care about her, but she doesn’t have some tragic back story. And she doesn’t need anyone to love her. And she doesn’t love anyone.

What is wrong with me?!

5: And I’m starting to feel bad for Chris

The poor man wants an education, but he’s not going to get one. I feel so bad! But this wasn’t supposed to be a plot. He was just supposed to go to college to please Lilli, and he was supposed to leave if need be.

And now he won’t get that education. Not really. *sobs*

Well, those are my ‘quirks’ … or plot holes, as most people would probably call them. Thanks for reading!

Have a great weekend,

~Kellyn Roth~

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p.s.

What do you think about these quirks? When you find ‘quirks’ in your novels, what do you do? Just roll with it or roll your eyes and make a note to change it?

I usually just roll with it. I figure it was meant to be.