Friday, February 24, 2012

Characters you love and hate

I love meeting new characters when I start a book. I have no idea where they come from. They aren't exactly people I've ever met, but they are so real to me, they must be parts of people I've crossed paths with.

I just finished my 60th book, so I've met a lot of characters. I never plan them. They just kind of appear as I start the book. I listened to mystery writer Elmore Leonard talk once at a conference in Palm Springs, Californa. He said he interviews his characters as he beings to write. If they are boring, he dumps them.

When I started the Chisholm Cattle Company series, the Chisholms were like that. Boring! I'd just finished the Winchester family and they had been so wonderful quirky and dysfunctional, I loved them. The Chisholms seemed so...normal. I didn't like them and didn't want to write about them.

Stuck, I went fishing with my husband. It was on the way back in the boat, watching the water whiz past, when I decided to kill Hoyt Chisholm's wife Laura. Fortunately, it was a long boat ride. By the time we reached the dock, I had killed three of Hoyt Chisholm's wives. Who knew?

And by the time we pulled the boat out, I couldn't wait to start writing about this now interesting family. I had no idea where the six books would take me. Each was as much a surprise to me as I hope they are to my readers. I loved each surprise.

In CORRALLED, the book that will hit the shelves the beginning of next month, I finally got to come face to face, so to speak, with my villain. Needless to say, it was great fun. It only got better in the final book of the series, WRANGLED, which comes out in June. I love a villain who doesn't give up. :)

I also wrote a single title bigger book this year. UNFORGIVEN comes out this summer. I think sometimes the lines between good and bad blur. I like those kind of villains too.

Meanwhile, I'm starting my next Whitehorse, Montana Intrigue series called Sundown Stallion Station. I'm just getting to know the McGraws, but I already like them. They have so many wonderful secrets. I will be meeting these still shadowy new characters soon. It's what I love best about writing.

Do you have a favorite Whitehorse character? Share it with me and I will send the first six of you a free book.

15 comments:

  1. I haven't yet read this series but it's now on my tbb list!

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    1. Chey, I hope you enjoy it. I had a ball writing it!! BJ

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  2. Hi B.J,

    I love your Whitehouse series. My favorite character is Carter Jackson.

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    1. Carter Jackson. That was a while ago. But I liked him a lot too.

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  3. Haven't ready any yet, BJ, but I'm looking forward to Logan Chisholm!

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    1. I think you'll like Logan, Laney. I sure did. :) The book begins in the Flathead valley, one of my favorite places in Montana too.

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  4. I don't think I have read any of the Whitehorse books yet. I am behind on my reading. Must catch up and start getting them though. I love me some cowboys though and your book are fabulous.

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    1. You sound like me. But I'm about to catch up on my reading this coming month. I take March off andf read everything I can get my hands on. It is such a wonderful break from real life. :)

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  5. I just don't think I can choose a favorite character from your Whitehorse series even though I've read all of them...
    I love them all and would love to meet them in person...LOL
    I'll be looking forward to more Whitehorse stories.

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    1. Thank you EllenToo!! I'm glad you're enjoying the series.

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  6. Laura AKA Loves 2 Read RomanceFebruary 24, 2012 at 4:07 PM

    I have only read a couple of the Whitehorse books so it would be hard to choose a favorite character. I am trying to get all of the different series of Whitehorse together so I can read them together. I have a bunch on my TBR pile including the first four in the Chisholm Cattle Company. I can't wait to start reading them. Although after reading your blog I might start the Chisholms pretty soon! I am also looking forward to your book Justice at Cardwell Ranch. I really enjoyed Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch. In fact I think that was the first book of yours I read.

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    1. Laura, thank you so much. I'm glad you're enjoying the books! I hope you like the Chisholms!

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  7. I haven't read the series yet, but I plan to. The books sound very good.

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  8. Okay, first six blog responders. Send me your snail mail addresses and I will get you one of my books in the mail. Just email me at bjdaniels@mtintouch.net

    And thank you all for stopping by!!

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