A guest post by Eric Grandy and excerpt from ACCIDENTAL PARADISE
Question for the author: Did you have a minor character who insisted on playing a larger a larger role in the story? If so, please tell us about it. If not, please tell me how you get the characters in your head to behave.
The minor character who played a larger role than I initially anticipated was Earl Jackson, Shaundra’s criminal brother. After his appearance in the first chapter, where he and his two cohorts tormented LaVern on the way from school, I didn’t foresee a larger role for him. His sole responsibility, at that point, was to create the angst that drew LaVern and Shaundra together and initiated a life-long friendship. I saw a place for him later when LaVern, now a bona fide movie star, was present when she moved her parents out of their East Baltimore neighborhood. He was still the thug she remembered from her childhood, and through his street- weary eyes, he silently witnessed the Whitaker family moving on to better things. It reminds the reader of the choices one makes in life and their subsequent ramifications.
Towards the end of my book, when LaVern decided to establish her foundation, I didn’t have Earle in mind. But what better symbol of the foundations mission statement, to recognize that everybody wasn’t college material and that others need a life sustaining skill, than Earl Jackson? It only seemed appropriate that he resurface, posthumously, as the newly established job training center’s namesake, The Earle Jackson Project.
I’d like to touch on your second question. How do I get the characters in my head to behave? Even though this story is fictional, lots of my characters and events are based on reality. I take mannerisms and tendences from people I’ve met and use circumstances I or friends of mine have experienced. This fact-based reality leads me in a direction the dictates how these places and people should naturally fall into my manuscript.
ACCIDENTAL PARADISE
by Eric Grandy
GENRE: Coming of Age
BLURB:
Natural talent, hard work, and a childhood friend help LaVern Whitaker find her calling as an actress. When her life becomes overwhelming, they discover a small town where her true identity can remain unknown and she can stay out of the spotlight. The more she visits her secret getaway, the more deeply she feels connected to the history, the lifestyle, and the people. Could this place be her home away from home, or become the home she has dreamed of? Or will sinister forces rip it all away?
Excerpt
“I’m going to miss you so much sweetheart. I’m so proud of you.”
The tears began to flow.
“I’m going to miss you too, Mom.”
“I miss you already, Peaches,” cried Shaundra. “You better text me every day.”
LaVern broke her tight hold on her mother and transferred it to Shaundra.
“I told you a long time ago that nothing will ever come between us. I meant it then and I mean it now.” She clutched her best friend even tighter. Then it was Freeman’s turn. He’d been holding off his goodbye intentionally. He wrapped his arms around his daughter and held on. He rested his chin on her head. LaVern was sobbing uncontrollably, but she didn’t let go. He finally relaxed his grip and looked directly into LaVern’s crying eyes.
“I want you to know you have made your mother and me so proud, Peaches.” He wiped a tear from his daughter’s face with his thumb. “You’re ready for this. You’ve been preparing your whole life.”
“Thank you, Daddy. I love you so much.”
He released his daughter, picked up the luggage and, along with everyone else, headed outside. LaVern turned to take one last look. The realization that she wouldn’t be back for months was just hitting her. It’s really happening, she thought. I’m actually leaving. She closed and locked the door. The second part of her life was about to begin.
AUTHOR Bio and Links:
Eric Grandy was born and raised in Baltimore City and graduated from City College. After he graduated from Essex Community College, he was drafted by the Chicago Cubs and played six years for that team. He went on to a variety of jobs: photographer, lab manager, driver for DHL and warehouse manager. After retirement, he decided to devote himself to writing, producing several short stories and Accidental Paradise, his debut novel.
Grandy still lives in Baltimore with his wife Rhonda and his daughter Marti.
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