It helps for me to be able to visualize the people in my stories, so I hunt up photographs and use them to help me keep my facts straight. Currently, these pictures are hanging near my desk as visual reminders as well as company.
Alexa and Suzanne
Danny and Paul
The Zimmerman farmhouse
Funny how putting a picture in my head helps make the characters more real to me. But their exteriors aren't as important as what's going on under the surface. Before I start a story, I spend time discovering each point-of-view character's goals, why those goals are so important, and what is standing in the way of him/her achieving the goal. This gives my story the conflict that drives it to the conclusion. But funny thing...just as you learn more and more about someone the longer you know them, the more I learn about my characters as the story progresses. And quite often they surprise me with something I didn't see coming. As a matter of fact, Suzanne dropped a bombshell on me a few days ago that completely changed the story's outcome and has a trickle-down effect on the other POV characters. Yep, never a dull moment here at the ol' computer. :o)
The other thing I always do is have a scripture reference in mind when I start a story. Of course I want my readers to be entertained, but I also want to give them a little nugget of spiritual truth on which to chew. Without any scriptural base, that can't happen. For the current story, my reference comes from Psalm 25:7.
“Remember not the sins of my youth, nor my transgressions:
according to thy mercy remember thou me for thy goodness' sake, O LORD.”
Two-time RITA® Finalist and winner of the coveted HOLT Medallion and ACFW Carol Award, CBA bestselling author, Karen Witemeyer, writes historical romance fiction for Bethany House, believing that the world needs more happily-ever-afters. She is an avid cross-stitcher, shower singer, and bakes a mean apple cobbler. Karen makes her home in Abilene, TX with her husband and three children. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.
I know you'll give Karen a big welcome!
And now...back to my "friends."
May God bless you muchly as you journey with Him! ~Kim
Kim, I LOVE the farmhouse picture :-) I'm one of those people who loves anything historical (hence, the novels I read), and there is just something about old homes that gives me the shivers! :-)
ReplyDeleteWelcome to WoP, Karen! My mom introduced me to your books about a year or so ago, and I've gobbled them up since! Just looked at your website and saw you have another delicious book coming out. Welcome and I think I can speak for us all when I say we can't wait to get to know you even better!
Okay, Kim--now I'm singing that song as I type, LOL--but that's okay, because it's a happy song*smile*. Loved your post today and the peek into your writing world, and of course I am absolutely thrilled there's another Kim Vogel Sawyer book on the horizon*BIG smile*. I echo Catherine's comment about that old farmhouse--LOVE old houses, barns, etc. ~ WELCOME to Karen!! Sooo glad you'll be joining us, and I confess even though I haven't yet read your work, I DO plan to, because I've read that you are very talented. And you'll discover that we "regular readers" here on this blog have developed a close relationship, so just overlook us if we get a little *silly* from time to time, LOL. But we are very happy to have you join us! Hugs from Georgia, Patti Jo
ReplyDeleteOK - can I just say that I own the soundtrack for The King and I? I'll definitely be singing this one in my head today. Thanks, Kim!
ReplyDeleteI'm thrilled to be joining WoP! Such a fabulous bunch of authors. I've been a lurker here of and on for a while anyway, so I'm looking forward to taking a more active role and "getting to know" you wonderful regulars!
Catherine - Thank you so much for your kind welcome. I'm delighted to find that you are already acquainted with my stories. The book you saw, Stealing the Preacher, is Crockett Archer's story - if you remember the Archers from Short-Straw Bride. I just couldn't let the rest of those brothers go without giving them each a happy eanding. :-) I also have a novella in the works for Neill. Should be a lot of fun!
ReplyDeleteCatMom - Love your profile pic with that little cutie in your arms! I looking forward to spending time with you lovely "regular reader" ladies. And believe me, I was born with the silly gene, too. Ask anyone in my family. Ha! I look forward to sharing laughs with you and the gang. :-)
ReplyDeletePatti Jo, you shouldn't tell people how silly we are around here--you might scare them off! LOL But we do have fun, don't we?
ReplyDeleteKaren, you'll be in good hands over here with our wonderful readers. They bless my heart!
Welcome aboard, Karen. So glad to have you as a regular on WoP. Love your books and I know our readers are going to have a wonderful time "getting to know you."
ReplyDeleteThanks, Judith. I'm thrilled to join such a talented bunch - with or without musical accompaniment. :-)
ReplyDeleteKim,as I stated the other day,itis amazing the amount of work you ladies do to produce Best sellers' I am SUITABLY IMPRESSED!
ReplyDeleteLike Catherine and PJ I also love the pic of th Farmhouse and the others as well.
SSorrry this commentis a little late.We had a funfilled day yesterday and I am trying desperately to restore "Law and Order" to my unruly "American and Canadian Sisters"! TThe minute I turn my back they're up to mischief! Just ask our dear Judy.:)
Karen, welcome to WoP. I'm from "Down Under" but are currently holidaying in the US.
I adore this "group" they are full of fun and are ALWAYS there for us..a truly wonderful support network! LOL!
Am looking forward to "meeting"you you and hopefully read your books as they hit Aus!
Cheers
Rosie
Apologies for my spelling ..you can tell I've one eye on the computer and one eye on Peg and Bev!ROFLOL!
ReplyDeleteKaren, when I read the summary of "Stealing the Preacher," I was very happy to see we would see more of the Archer brothers. I believe it was last summer when I read "Short Straw Bride," so I will definitely have to go back and read it again before I read the new one :-)
ReplyDeleteSo glad you're having a blast, Rosie! You keep those girls in line!
Oh Boy...it's tough going for a 969 year old Methuselah, Catherine! ROFLOL!
ReplyDeleteRosie will be bringing the mischief to my doorstep next week. I can hardly wait!
ReplyDeleteAnd you have no idea how bad I feel about missing that mischief!! :-( Rosie has my Skype info in case you decide to throw me into the mix as well! :-P
ReplyDeleteRosie - What a delight to meet a sister from Down Under. Love it. And boy, do I know what a challenge it is to write anything with little ones on the loose. Mine are finally getting to the self-sufficient stage (14, 12, & 10), but it is amazing how attractive a closed door is to them. When Mom is working in the bedroom with the door closed, they just can't resist dropping by to ask questions. Or my favorite - "Can I just sit here while you work? I won't talk to you, I promise." Because having a child sit and stare at you, counting the minutes until you are done, is not distracting in the least. Ha!
ReplyDeleteKaren, you have children sitting and staring at you; I have cats! LOL
ReplyDeleteAwesome! fun post today.
ReplyDeleteOh Kim! I can hardly wait!! I think I'm like Santa because I have ALL the goodies for you ladies fom Cathy,except that I don't have a Santa Sack...just my case!!! Sadly the security guys are already suspicious with me just carrying my laptop bag as extra hand luggage!( Hope our Judy,doesn't have a fit when she reads this!LOL!) But I gave them a BESEECHING SMILE and they relented and let me through! And yes! I set off ALL the alarms and immediately was scanned and full body search.. I showed them the scar from my 11 implants in my wrist and they smiled and sent me on my way (much to my darling husbnd's relief! I could see him wiping the sweat from his brow!LOL!)So GOOD to know they are looking out for any "SUSS" characters!
ReplyDeleteI had to smile as we saw a sign welcoming visitors to the US,followed immediately with another sign saying, "Please proceed to have your fingerprints and photograph taken! LOL!
Kim, I promise I'll behave myself just so long as you don't be a pinchin' my NEW toothbrush toothbrush,'cos....It's PURPLE! ROFLOL!
Sadly, I'll be leaving my mischievous "sisters" behind, but with PJ coming ANYTHING is possible..Love you PJ!!
Catherine I'll hope our connection works my friend.... And oh BTW... Thank you so much dear one, for letting the cat out of the bag that I'm 969! You KNOW my name is really Methuselah, but that was our secret! Ho hum! ROFLOL!
Oh Boy, Karen! See what you're in for dear lady? Is there ANY HOPE!!?
CHEERS! :)
Rosie
Rosie, your toothbrush is safe--I already have a purple toothbrush. :o)
ReplyDeleteHey Kim! Thanks for this blog article. I've been inspired lately with a fresh idea for a two-book series and was debating on how helpful it would be to find some pictures for the characters and locations. After reading your article, I'm definitely going picture hunting! I can see how this would be extremely helpful in keeping all the details correct.
ReplyDeleteWelcome, Karen! I've read a couple of your books and really enjoyed them. I look forward to gleaning some insights from you here at WoP. :)
God bless ya, ladies!
Andrea