Hi. To someone who doesn’t write, it may sound silly when an author talks about how real story characters are to her, how they can take on a life of their own and completely side track a story from the path the author had planned for it to travel. My book, The Christmas Journey, started with such a character, a hero I’d lived with for some time before I ultimately found his story.
Ry first showed up as a secondary character in my second book, Something More, back in 2001. He was Ryland Sinclair, my heroine’s brother, and I originally had him pegged as a minor secondary character. But from the moment Ry walked onto the page he was bold, bigger than life and mighty insistent that he deserved more than the paltry paragraphs I had intended to throw his way. In fact, there was one point in that book where he threatened to take over the whole thing. I had to be firm, mentally promise him his own book some day, and then nudge him out of the way so I could get on with Caleb and Elthia’s story.
I wasn’t the only one enamored with him. I received lots of reader mail asking me to give Ry a story of his own. And that was my intent. But first I had to find a heroine and a story worthy of him. That quest took me eight years, during which time I changed publishers, I moved on as a writer, and his character underwent a few changes (Yes, my characters grow and change in my mind over time, just like ‘real’ people).
So, when I finally found the right heroine and right story for Ry, he wasn’t quite the same fellow any more. His background and family changed somewhat, as did his financial circumstances. So I changed his last name, but not his first name. Ry was his name, period, and there wasn’t any way I could possibly think of him by any other name. Because, in the ways that matter, he was still the same person inside - highly responsible, extremely intelligent and deeply caring. He’s someone who focuses on accomplishing those things that are important to him with an almost single-minded intensity, someone who holds those around him accountable for their actions, someone who puts the well being of those he cares for way above his own.
The heroine I found for him, Josephine Wylie, is a perfect match for him in just about every way. She’s also single minded, able to hold her own, intelligent, caring and takes her responsibilities to heart. Problem is, her goals and his in no way converge. So when the inevitable attraction builds, trouble most definitely ensues.
I hope you enjoy learning how Ry and Josie work through all of their differences to finally achieve their own happily ever after. And as you do, think of the very long time Ry waited (very impatiently) on the sidelines for me to finally help him find it!
Tales of Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace
The Heart's Song, LI June 2010
The Proper Wife, LIH March 2011
www.winniegriggs.com
Ry gets his day!
Hey, Winnie-
I'm so glad Ry finally got his book! I know how long you've been wanting to write his story. Congrats!
Beth C.
Beth Cornelison- www.bethcornelison.com
THE BRIDE'S BODYGUARD-Silhouette Romantic Suspense- October 2010
P.I. DADDY'S PERSONAL MISSION- SRS November 2010
THE PRODIGAL BRIDE-SRS- Feb 2010
Can't wait to read this!
Can't wait to read this!
Jphillips1107
January 2010 Member of the Month
http://community.eharlequin.com/category/tags/wayrn-2010-0
Ry and Josie
I'm reading this right now, and I'm enjoying it.
Thanks
Hi Beth - yeah, it was good to finally be able to give Ry his story after making him (and me) wait so long.
Jessiecue - please let me know what you think after you do read it.
Renee - glad you're enjoying it. Always music to a writer's ear...
Winnie
Tales of Small Towns, Big Hearts, Amazing Grace
The Heart's Song, LI June 2010
The Proper Wife, LIH March 2011
www.winniegriggs.com
Ry...
Winnie,
I love that you finally gave this hunky hero his own story. What a fascinating journey to get him there. Thanks for sharing. I have the Christmas Journey on the top of my TBR pile. Can't wait until I can actually dig in, especially now that I know where the hero came from (I thought I recognized his name
)
~Renee~
~Renee~
www.reneeryan.com