I like to write, but talk about it? Not so much.

I like to write. I like the way the characters come alive and take over. The idea of a story line is there to start with, but quickly changes from what I thought it would be to the way the characters evolve and direct it, so I have no idea how it will end. None of my characters are based on anyone in particular, but they have characteristics of people I know. One character may look like one person, talk like another and act like yet another.

The emotions they experience aren't mine. Trying to think how I would feel in the situation they are in doesn't work because I have never been in those situations, so I can't write about it like that. As I am writing, they get into my head and my heart goes out to them and I write what they feel and think. They are extensions of myself, becoming what I haven't been able to become and doing things I could never do and feeling emotions I usually don't let myself openly express and they have a habit of saying things that I wouldn't normally say.

I am quiet, reserved and rather shy. I am very emotional, but for the most part, I keep my feelings inside. I don't do well in crowds and definitely not one to get up in front of a group and speak. In three weeks, I will be involved in a book signing at The Lake Erie Seaway Trail in Hamburg, NY. I did a couple other book signings, one at Willow Creek Winery and one at Lake Erie Seaway Trail's grand opening, both where people weren't actually there to buy or check out books. I sold one book at each event.

This upcoming event is all about authors, so people will be there expecting to meet and talk with authors and hopefully buy books. There will be a discussion by the authors about how they got published and also, there will be half hour segments for each author to do readings and take questions. When I first heard about this a few months ago, I was so excited. Now, that it is getting closer, I'm thinking I could do so much better if I could just send one on my characters and write about it.

Sam, from HOW DO YOU SAY GOODBYE? would probably do the best job. She wasn't afraid of anything and if she made a mistake, she'd laugh it off and keep going. Leeny, from HDYSG? and LIFE GOES ON would most likely tire of things after the first half hour and leave. Johnny, from both books, would put his feet up on the table, lean his chair back, open a can of beer from a nearby cooler and talk about anything other than books. Judge Styles, from both books, would dominate the room. He would state his case and probably make everyone afraid to ask questions.

I'm not sure how I'll do in this situation. Maybe I can channel a little of each character and pull this off. Or, maybe I'll fall flat on my face or develop a severe case of laryngitis the night before. I just hope I don't have to go first.

Check out Lake Erie Seaway Trail on facebook and Fall Into A Book -
http://lakeerieseawaytrail.org/event/local-author-event/