Character Musings on Ryder & Dee

Ryder is killing me. I mean, I just want to hit him. Do I sound drastic? Possibly, but really...

Ryder was never going to be easy. Well, he's easy, we all know he's bedded a goodly number of women, but that's not quite the kind of easy I mean! I mean, he's difficult. He's a chauvinist, he's a playboy, he's funny, and he's a bit of a dick. He's smug and he can be a dummy at times when it comes to feelings and emotions. He's also hot and sexy. But face it, he's still a dick at times.

I'm just sayin'...

As for Dee, she has depths I never imagined. Not that she's a saint (Dee? A saint? Really? *guffaw*). She can be bitchy, hard, and a proverbial ball-buster, but she's got her soft side, and her reasons (for some things. Good reasons. Others are just that she's a ball buster).

It's not easy writing about two characters who are amusing as side characters, yet somehow I have to make them likeable without crushing the very things that make them so interesting. It's a fine line. I believe in making characters true to themselves, I can't just make her all sweet and him all noble, it just won't work. It never has. Characters are like people in reality, they are who they are, there're going to be things people don't like and things they do like. All I can say is that I keep writing, the story keeps unfolding, and I keep wanting to hit Ryder. (sorry, did I just say that last part out loud again?)

I have to say, I suddenly realized the other night that I was up to chapter 6 and I don't quite know how it happened. Chapter 6 already? Did a lot happen? Didn't it? Too much, too little? Do I need to delete something? ARGH!

If nothing else, it's an interesting ride!
8 likes ·   •  22 comments  •  flag
Share on Twitter
Published on December 02, 2014 23:11 Tags: ball-buster, characterization, dee, frustration, ryder, writing
Comments Showing 1-22 of 22 (22 new)    post a comment »
dateUp arrow    newest »

message 1: by Julie (new)

Julie Well why don't you hit Ryder in your mind or if you can't, just make Dee do it for you, since she's not a saint that should be nice and easy for her :)

I kept laughing while reading your post so I'm pretty sure the book is going to be good.


message 2: by McGee Magoo (new)

McGee Magoo Can I just say that I love your newsletters and blog posts? You're hilarious and I look forward to them almost as much as the books.


message 3: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Julie wrote: "Well why don't you hit Ryder in your mind or if you can't, just make Dee do it for you, since she's not a saint that should be nice and easy for her :)

I kept laughing while reading your post so I..."


I like your faith in the book, Julie! And yes, I just might give him a good slapping to break my stress levels to which he shoves me!


message 4: by Angela (last edited Dec 06, 2014 05:00AM) (new)

Angela Verdenius Shannon wrote: "Can I just say that I love your newsletters and blog posts? You're hilarious and I look forward to them almost as much as the books."

Aw thanks, Shannon! My boss at work keeps telling people not to encourage me. I don't know what she means...


message 5: by McGee Magoo (new)

McGee Magoo This is some spooky stuff, Angela! I just woke up from a dream about 20 minutes ago...In the dream my mom and I were on an Australian vacation. I was somewhat confused about what town I was actually in...but I was determined to find out how to get a hold of you to buy paperback copies of your books. My mom was like, "buy them on the internet". But I had to meet you and I told her that postage from Australia to the U.S. would be exorbitant. Oddly enough, my vivid, dreaming mind did not produce any fur-babies. But we did have a lengthy conversation about pseudonyms. Go figure.


message 6: by Silke (new)

Silke Shannon wrote: "This is some spooky stuff, Angela! I just woke up from a dream about 20 minutes ago...In the dream my mom and I were on an Australian vacation. I was somewhat confused about what town I was actu..."

LOL, Shannon, you are hilarious!


message 7: by Silke (new)

Silke Did I read correctly ... chapter 6??? Wait, then we won't have to wait that long anymore ... oohh, could you maybe make it a Christmas present? Just asking ... :-)


message 8: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Shannon wrote: "This is some spooky stuff, Angela! I just woke up from a dream about 20 minutes ago...In the dream my mom and I were on an Australian vacation. I was somewhat confused about what town I was actu..."

Oh wow! LOL That was some dream! I wonder what it means? They reckon dreams mean things...


message 9: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Silke wrote: "Did I read correctly ... chapter 6??? Wait, then we won't have to wait that long anymore ... oohh, could you maybe make it a Christmas present? Just asking ... :-)"

Oh man, Silke, I wish! LOL I actually have to work some extra shifts this Christmas, so that'll slow the writing down, but I'm hoping to make it a Feb release, because it'll take that long to finish it, edit, re-edit, format, etc. So I'm tentatively saying Feb...


message 10: by Debbie (new)

Debbie Angela I am positive it is worth the wait. I can't wait to read Ryder and Dee's story. Is it February yet?


message 11: by Silke (new)

Silke Angela wrote: "Silke wrote: "Did I read correctly ... chapter 6??? Wait, then we won't have to wait that long anymore ... oohh, could you maybe make it a Christmas present? Just asking ... :-)"

Oh man, Silke, I ..."


Dear Angela, it is admirable how you are able to manage job, writing and the furries! I'm sometimes overwhelmed managing the furries and my job :-)


message 12: by Beth (new)

Beth I don't think you should worry about producing a good book as all your others are fantastic and this one will be just as great! And who cares how long the book is, it just means there will be more reading for us all to enjoy :)


message 13: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Debbie wrote: "Angela I am positive it is worth the wait. I can't wait to read Ryder and Dee's story. Is it February yet?"

Like Santa - it's coming!


message 14: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Beth wrote: "I don't think you should worry about producing a good book as all your others are fantastic and this one will be just as great! And who cares how long the book is, it just means there will be more ..."

Thanks Beth. Got Saturday off work, so I'm settling in then for an 8 hr writing session! I do love those writing sessions - computer, Diet Coke, music, whatever cat wants to annoy me by lying all over the computer desk and put their feet against the touch-screen (that'd be Evie), sitting in old, comfy clothes and slouching happily in the chair!


message 15: by Beth (new)

Beth Angela wrote: "Beth wrote: "I don't think you should worry about producing a good book as all your others are fantastic and this one will be just as great! And who cares how long the book is, it just means there ..."

She not annoying you she's "helping" you ;)


message 16: by Julie (new)

Julie Why am I picturing you working like Ghost ??? :D
And I totally agree with Beth, take your time and don't worry, it's going to be good no matter what.


message 17: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Beth wrote: "Angela wrote: "Beth wrote: "I don't think you should worry about producing a good book as all your others are fantastic and this one will be just as great! And who cares how long the book is, it ju..."

Oh yeah, Evie helps...a lot...not. Mind you, she did manage to bring up a program I didn't even know I had! She also made my cursor disappear...


message 18: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Julie wrote: "Why am I picturing you working like Ghost ??? :D
And I totally agree with Beth, take your time and don't worry, it's going to be good no matter what."


If only I was working WITH Ghost heh heh. Oops, did I say that out loud?!


message 19: by ☽ Rhiannon ✭ (new)

☽ Rhiannon ✭ Mistwalker ☾ I cannot WAIT for Dee and Ryder's book!!!! I am reading Molly and Kirk's right now and loving it - and it's totally whet my appetite for the next!

I hear what you're saying about the challenges of putting side characters in the spotlight as the main protagonists, but I have complete faith you'll pull it off beautifully. I'll just be sitting here waiting for it to come out. February? So far away! :*-(


message 20: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Uhhh...just hope Ryder and Dee live up to it! LOL I'm almost finished, then I need to read it for plot holes, then edit it, reformat - looking good for Feb release!


message 21: by Silke (new)

Silke Hi Angie, That's great news!
Many thanks for the book recommendation. Looking forward reading it :-)
Best wishes to you, my friend, for an amazing year ahead. May the sundshine of happiness always shine on you. May the dove of peace rest over you and live in your home. May the dense forest of love surround you all year round. May you have a lovely New Year!


message 22: by Angela (new)

Angela Verdenius Silke wrote: "Hi Angie, That's great news!
Many thanks for the book recommendation. Looking forward reading it :-)
Best wishes to you, my friend, for an amazing year ahead. May the sundshine of happiness always..."


Oh Silke, that is so lovely! I wish the same for you and yours!!!


back to top