Ex Libris

Introducing Characters and Story (what makes my story unique)

by Lorna Peel

In , I introduce my characters by taking them a long way outside their comfort zones as their story then builds through how they cope and respond and this reveals both the positive and negative aspects of their personalities.

Jane Hollinger lives a quiet life as a genealogy teacher and debates whether she wants to be in a relationship with ‘the sexiest man in Britain’. We’d like to think we’d jump at the chance so it’s hard to understand why she’s hesitating but Jane’s self-esteem and ability to trust a man again is still at rock bottom following her divorce and her ex’s immediate re-marriage.

Jane is also embarrassed by her lack of dating experience as she and her ex had been college sweethearts, so she’s intimidated at the prospect of going on dates with men from the dating website she’s been unsubtly subscribed to by her sister and best friend. Because she hasn’t dealt with any of these issues yet, she really puts herself through the wringer.

Actor, Robert Armstrong isn’t used to having to chase and almost beg a woman to go out with him. It’s not that he’s vain, he’s just never had a woman actually run away from him before! Like Jane, he also has personal issues he hasn’t dealt with and he’s not very good at accepting advice. Trying to deal with his feelings for Jane brings out the worst in him, which he hates, and it doesn’t help that it all takes place inside and on the covers of Britain’s many celebrity gossip magazines.

I make my main characters suffer to draw out their stories! It is the often frustrating and comical but very human actions and reactions they use to resolve their issues which make a unique read.

Thanks for having me on your blog, Stella!