Today is one of those weird days.  You know the ones- the kind we as writers wish for and fear at the same time- the kind where we wonder if we're too close to our work.  Sometimes out characters come to us, appearing as realistic as you or me.  We can hear their voices, smell their scents and get blown away by the way they become a mental itch that we just can't scratch.  Today is one of those days.

The character that came to visit me today is Specter- the velvet-clad vampire guitarist from my current work, Sex Blood and Rock 'n' Roll.  Not the lead character, but important just the same.  Plays a '54 Stratocaster and though he is a real devil he makes angels weep with that thing.  He has the wildest eyes that, once you see them, make you realize why he keeps them behind those rose-tinted granny glasses.  That look- oh, that look! That east end London dialect and platinum blond hair.  Not what I was expecting but as writers we just accept what our characters are.  Found out interesting tidbits about him.  He's seen the black death and Black Sabbath and survived them both.  Needless to say I wasn't expecting such a visit but I'm very happy he decided to stop by. 

                                                   Mary

     Today my blog is about asking yourself 'what if'.  As a writer I do that a lot.  Example:  What if a faerie fell in love with a mortal?  It's the kind of thing that helps you to remember how to dream and imagine, and be a kid again.  But what about asking 'what ifs' in life?  Approaching my fortieth birthday, a big 'what if' for me was what if I had stayed in Connecticut and had never moved to San Antonio?  I might have gone to New York and pursued my acting career.  But as I look back on my life, after doing one Equity show, I think that even a life on Broadway would have had its drawbacks.  San Antonio is a fantastic city with fun, friendly people and fabulous food.  But the memories I've made here I wouldn't trade for anything.  Most importantly,  if I hadn't moved I wouldn't have met my husband.  And if I hadn't met John?  Well, I don't even want to think about how different my life would be.  Even though I don't have a Tony Award (yet) I'm happy.  And I wouldn't want it any other way.

Things I've been wondering about: 

     I'm a big fan of music- all kinds.  It helps me write and get in the mood.  How does music influence you?  The next book I'll be working on is a paranormal about a British rock star.  I lived in England in the early seventies. Bowie, Idol, the Rolling Stones... all were great inspirations in creating this new, old, leading man.

                                             Stay tuned and rock on!

                                             Mary

     Tonight I'm thinking about the romantic hero.  As a writer a lot of energy goes into envisioning that perfect leading man.  And, since I also have a heavy theatre background, I cast a type or actor to play these parts in my head when it comes to speech patterns, etc.  Makes it easier to plot dialogue.  My question for you tonight is what sort of romantic hero would you write/read about and, if you had your choice, who would play them?  I'll get it started: 



Faerie:  Rupert Everett or David Bowie

 Vampire:  Alan Rickman or Pierce Brosnan

 Werewolf/Shape shifter:  Val Kilmer