I Wish I Could Write That!!!

Forget the critics on the police procedure stuff when it comes to Castle. Who cares? As a writer, I am only interested in the characters. And last night, when Castle and Beckett were in the isolation chamber due to supposed exposure to radiation, the expressions said it all. Castle wanted to confess his true feelings for Beckett. He was ready, his eyes, his expression showed that he planned to do it...and then they were rudely interrupted...well, to tell them they were not going to die. And the look on Castle's face then, the disappointment, the frustration, wow.
I sure wish I could write that. I'm going to study the DVR until I learn to capture that "look" in words.

It's All About the Characters

While my friends are enjoying the hard core CSI and police shows, I'm enjoying Harry's Law and Castle. Both offer great characters, and humor along with a little suspense. Mostly I'm drawn to the characters and their interactions with each other. These characters have flaws, and draw empathy and the "rooting" for the underdog.

I suppose the reason I enjoy these "lighter" drama shows is because I'm more of a character driven writer than a plot driven writer. While plot is extremely important, and I try to pick a suspenseful plot, I more enjoy the developing of the characters. It's the interaction of the characters, their growth and change that leave me with the satisfaction of having written a good story.

The last episode of Harry's Law was really good. It revealed more in depth what drives these characters, what makes them who they are. Even laughable Tommy Jefferson has an element that you just have to love. Are there any other fans of Harry's Law out there? Why do you like it?

Snow, ARC Winners, The Bachelor, Castle, Prize Offer

Now that title says a lot about what this blog is today!

A big thank you to those who visited the Blog Studio yesterday to chat with my dear friend and spectular author, Maggie Toussaint. The winners of the two free ARC's (Advanced Reader Copy) of her upcoming release, ON THE NICKEL, are:

PAT BROWING

SUSAN LEACH

Here in my midwestern town we are expecting 3-5 inches of the snow that is spreading eastward. These are the times when I wish I had purchased a gas snow blower with an electric start. I'm using an "old" (believe me this is really old) snowblower with an electric cord. It works fine if I can just get into a good pattern and not spend all my time trying to avoid catching the cord! It's always a battle, and usually the cord wins.

So how about those new year's resolutions? Did any of you make a commitment? Have you broken it yet? This year I didn't set any because I hate breaking promises to myself. *sigh* I do have this constant ongoing resolution to lose some weight and get healthier. I've started by eliminating the carbonated beverages. I'm drinking water, lots of water. I also have a reclining bicycle, a Gazelle, and a treadmill. The treadmill makes a great place to dry sweaters, the bicycle seat stores my Snuggie for when I watch television, and the Gazelle just sits and stares at the television waiting for someone to notice. Last night I peddled while watching The Bachelor.

Anyone else watch The Bachelor? I suppose being a hopeless romantic, I'm always looking for the guy to really find the love of his life. This time Brad seems changed, so I hope he goes for an honest and nonflambouyant woman. I also watch Castle faithfully. I love the "almost" relationship between Rick Castle and Kate Beckett.

All right, I've asked quite a few questions today. Let's see who is willing to share their thoughts and answers. I have a prize to give away to someone today.  It's a nice sticky note holder with a calendar, regular sticky note pad and five colored sticky note markers. The holder closes and can be carried with you or sits nicely on a desk. I'll choose one winner from all the comments today.

Looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

Voices, Personalities, Baggage, and Charisma!!

I'm sure, like me, you have seen many different movies, television programs, and read many, many books. I don't remember all the things that happen. I might have scenes that stand out in my memory bank, but mostly it's the characters I remember.

For instance, I loved the series of "Who's the Boss?" I can't tell you much about the silly episodes, but I remember the chemistry between Tony and Angela. Their characters are still vivid in my mind. My current favorite series is "Castle." I don't watch for the murder they solve or how they do it, but for the characters of Rick Castle and Kate Beckett. I loved Gone With The Wind, but I don't remember many scenes...just a few major ones and what keeps them fresh in my mind are the characters, Scarlet and Rhett. Without great characters, it is easy to forget.

Authors must be cognizant of making their characters come to life on a page. They must have individual voices, personalities, baggage, and charisma. We learned as toddlers to remember things by "seeing" them. A chair, a table, a nose, a smile, a dog, a cat...and the list goes on. Likewise, we remember great books by seeing the characters and the action playing out in our brain. It takes a good writer to be able to paint those pictures for the reader.

Do you have characters you remember vividly?

He's Back...Even if He Didn't Phone!

I watched the new Castle episode last night. Wow, Richard got arrested for murder! Great way to open the series. And I loved the parallel line of his daughter's relationships with her boyfriend and what was happening between Decker and him. I loved the ending action scene where he and Decker each shot someone who was going to shoot the other! They're back and the attraction is on again. Yay!!!

Also, wanted to update my readers on Chance (aka Little Gus). He had a problem with vomiting his food and they found worms in it. I know, I should have warned you not to be eating when you read the blog today. Sorry. Anyway a trip to the vet and medication was all he needed. He's home now and resting comfortably. Yay! I'm so happy that he found a forever home.

Come on, share with me! Every comment gets your name entered in my drawing. No limit to how many times your name is included, so even if you commented already once or twice this month, this will be one more additional chance that you might be the winner. So, what new programs did you watch last night? Comments? What was your favorite part of Castle last night? Did you watch Dancing with the Stars?

Any Castle Fans Out There?

I follow several loops where Castle is torn apart because of the "technical" things presented in the episodes. In my opinion, it doesn't matter. Why?

As a writer, I love the series for the characters and their interactions with each other. I adore the relationship between Richard and his daughter and mother. Richard is the perfect hero. He's witty and very amusing. The attraction between him and Decker is wonderfully portrayed. I wish I could mimic this in my novels. Both characters are superb at portraying their emotions through eye contact and body language. It's not the "murder" and the way it's solved that draws me...no, it's the characters and what makes them tick that pulls me to the television every Monday night.

So, what about you? Ever watch Castle? How do you feel?