Author Interview: Joanne Crisner Alcayaga (Amazed and Brightest)

Yay! We were able to finally catch up with new author of inspirational book Amazed and co-author of children’s lit Brightest Joanne Crisner Alcayaga to have this interview…

 Tell us about your younger self. When did you find out that you wanted to be a writer?

When I was younger, I really didn’t know what I wanted to be. All I remember was my first attempt at writing a piece as I was about to graduate from grade school. I wanted to write about embarking on a new chapter as I enter High School. But that written work was purely for my own enjoyment. It was written at the back of an empty notebook which I wasn’t able to keep. During High SchooI, I tried out for the school newspaper but failed and joined an elective class in writing. I started to love reading pocketbooks and novels which I think propelled me to discover my own writing style and what genre I would enjoy writing. I guess, it was during college when I realized I wanted to be a writer which is why I took up Journalism. But after that, I found out that creative writing was really my passion.

  Do you remember some Eureka moments when you wanted to leave everything undone, go to your laptop and write something?

 Eureka moments for me mostly come when I am by myself, usually when I am traveling or commuting to wherever I am going. Those quiet moments when I just sit at the jeepney and realize something out of the blue. When I observe something at the street or just outside, some kind of enlightenment comes which I try to write about.

 In what genre do you want to write more? Who are the writers who inspire you the most? What are your favorite books?

 I just love writing about the essence of life. How to make a meaning out of it. How humanity struggles and triumphs. Mostly, I write inspirational essays, short stories and poems to touch other people’s lives. But I would love to venture into writing love stories or romance novellas since I grew up reading them and feeling “kilig” all over. Mitch Albom is my greatest inspiration in writing especially his theme and writing style as reflected in Tuesdays with Morrie. I guess Nicholas Sparks also made an impression, since A Walk to Remember is really the first novel I read, it brought me to tears. I also admire his writing style with a silent, flowing rhythm. Though I haven’t read their books, I have come across some works/quotes by these incredible writers, Marianne Williamson and Henry David Thoreau. I am also a big fan of J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter series. I am truly amazed by her insane imagination, creativity and her clever and impeccable writing. Every word had a purpose. Every word had a timing. Every word fit into her plot.

 What and where is your dream place where you would sit and write to your heart’s content?

 In my mind, I have already kept a dream place where I could just look out the window, breathe in the fresh air, feel the rich culture around and write to my heart’s content. It’s in Italy. I can see myself there. If you have already seen the movie, Under the Tuscan Sun, there is a scene there where Dianne Lane just sits at her chair and types on her laptop, facing outside, with windows wide open. That’s me, hopefully, in a few years.

 Tell us about your books and how you came about to writing them. Do you have anything new in the drawer?

 I have already co-authored a children’s book with Josephine Litonjua and artist Johann De Venecia, entitled Brightest. It is filled with beautiful images but its content can also be targeted to adults. I also have a related essay inside the book which supports the overall message of the story. Just recently, my first ever solo book, Amazed, has also been published and released with the help of crowdsourcing. It is a collection of personal and inspirational essays and short stories which I have written since way back. Most of my life experiences and learnings can be found here including works of fiction. It tackles the complexities of love, work, family, and life in detail.

 What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

My advice to aspiring authors is to read. Never stop reading because that will be your foundation in writing. Always observe, practice your imagination, be curious enough, engage in meaningful conversations, listen to people’s stories, watch more movies with great content, expand your perspective, and just simply take in everything, every information, every snapshot and every idea that would cross your path. These can help you better understand yourself, what you want to write about and who you want to write for. It will lead you to your purpose on why you want to write. Make sure also that you don’t give up, there are so many outlets and venues out there for you, the perfect opportunity will come along when the time is right.

 How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Blog: www.viverism.wordpress.com

Facebook: JoanneCrisner.Author, Amazed Page, Brightest Page, joanne_alcayaga@yahoo.com    

 Twitter: iamcrisner, Amazed020614

Goodreads: Joanne_Crisner, Amazed, Brightest

Author Interview: Kristel S.Villar (Blast from Two Pasts)

Kristel Villar

                       

                          

                                                                                                               


We are lucky to have interviewed Ms. Kristel S. Villar, the newest #romanceclass author who has published her romance novella, Blast From Two Pasts.

Tell us about your younger self. When did you find out that you wanted to be a writer?

       As early as nine years old (or is it late?). I couldn't remember when exactly, but I remembered my first attempt at writing fiction when I was
 nine years old. I wrote a short story about a female gymnast whose arrogance got in the way of her sporting dreams. I got loose clean pages
 of a spiral notebook and wrote the story, accompanied it with drawings, then made a book cover with a short folder and stapled the pages to make it look like a book. It's one of my proudest moments.

 Do you remember some Eureka moments when you wanted to leave everything undone, go to your laptop and write something?

       Yes! While on my day job, most of the time. Haha! Ideas normally pop out unexpectedly, and whenever it does, all I wanted was to write it while it was still "fresh". I try to sneak up a few minutes so that I won't lose the idea, then go back to work.

 In what genre do you want to write more?

      Contemporary romance. Young adult. New Adult. I quickly grabbed the opportunity when Mina Esguerra hosted the #romanceclass. I wasn't writing anything fiction for years until I joined that class. It rekindled my passion for writing fiction. I've always been a fan of young adult. I grew up reading and writing love stories about high school. There's something about young love that gives me all the 'feels'. I'm trying to concentrate on writing love stories about characters my age (late 20s, early 30s). It's easier to weave situations or mold characters.

 Who are the writers who inspire you the most? What are your favorite books?

     Elizabeth Chandler was my idol way back in high school. I'd buy all her Love Stories books. I love how her female characters are created strong and independent, and not clingy and overly mushy. I vowed to dedicate a novella to her. I also love Meg Cabot. Like Chandler, her characters are also independent, witty and bubbly. I love her The Mediator series. I had a story plot similar to that series when I was in high school, but I didn't pursue writing it. Mitch Albom is also an idol. I'm inspired by the books he wrote. (Him being a sportswriter is a plus). Stephen King is a god. My husband is a big fan and he influenced me to read his works. I just love his story-telling. It's so polished. He's so good, I wanted to be like him. My favorite books are mostly about romance. Outside romance, it has to be Yangze Choo's The Ghost Bride, The Book Thief by Markus Zusak, Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert... I couldn't remember all of them, they're too many! Growing up, I love Sweet Valley, Love Stories, Encyclopedia Brown, Goosebumps, and anything written by Christopher Pike.

What and where is your dream place where you would sit and write to your heart’s content?

     The coffee shop! If I can just live in Starbucks and Coffee Bean and Tea Leaf. I'm not picky. All I want is unlimited coffee and a nicely-lit corner (cushioned seat optional).

Tell us about your books and how you came about writing them.

      Blast From Two Pasts is my first contemporary romance novella. I wrote it for my #romanceclass. I was supposed to write about an arranged marriage trope, but Mina said tropes like arranged marriage are tough to write and make it realistic in the Philippine setting (because one, we don't have divorce, and two, there are tons of legal/paper requirements before a couple can get married). It took me a long time before I could come up with this new plot. Then it landed right on my lap. Everybody has puppy loves, has crushes when they were kids. What happens to those feelings after we grow up? And then, most people have exes. What happens when we look back? How do we handle it? Nothing was personal in this book except for the wedding preparations. I learned that from #romanceclass. It was totally Cara, Oliver and Lucas' stories. But I wanted to write about wedding preparations (having been recently married at that time), so I still injected it as a sub-plot (Ayen and Chad's story) My short story, The Rumor About Me, is part of Kids These Days: Stories About Luna East Arts Academy Vol. 1. Like every other plot I have, it just came out of nowhere. It's a young adult romance, set in high school, but it also tackled about social issues like bullying. My free published works on my Wattpad account are Carly's Dare and One-on-One, also a young adult romance connected to The Rumor About Me.

Do you have anything new in the drawer?

      Yes. A lot! Hahaha! But lately, I'm focused on finishing A Serendipitous Kiss. I plan on making it a short story, but with the way things are going with the outline, it could be a novelette or a novella.

What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

      Keep on writing and reading! And, taking it from a tweet that I read a long time ago: "It takes one negative comment to kill a dream. Remember that all the time."

     

How can readers discover more about you and you work?

Facebook: facebook.com/KristelSVillar

Twitter: @tellytabachoy Amazon: http://amzn.to/1gPyM8N

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/KristelSVillar

Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/KristelSVillar

Jatujak: Thai Food Heaven

It was again, the Pyrotechnics Festival held in Manila Bay Philippines. So off we went to the Mall of Asia 

to watch and have dinner at the Jatujak Thai Food Restaurant.

It was a small resto, with cute little green chairs and mostly contemporary ambience.  But the food was good. Though not really a foodie, I was satisfied with the asian inspired dishes that has a similarity to Filipino

dishes with a touch of coconut milk and spices.

Paul Boulangerie and Patisserie at SM Aura

For the longest time, Alvin and I wanted to see our good friend Joan whose date with the stork was near.We had a chance to meet at the Cafe Paul Boulangerie and Patisserie. What struck me most about the place was the avant garde ambience. Tha music was mainstream jazz, more trumpety and horny (well, more horns,teehee). We had coffee and creme brulee while Joan ordered Croque Madame as it was just late morning. Aside from the setting, the waiters were really everywhere, maybe a little too obstrusive for me. The manager asked us if we needed anything more. maybe a little privacee?
I want to try their pastry next time, why not?It is a great place to be.

I Self Published My Novella, What Next

     After having a cup of coffee in my favorite cafe, I moved to the shaded spot in the park. The elderly gentleman who frequented that spot and who often struck a conversation with me asked about the book I was writing. I said,
    Yes, I finished my novella and posted it on Smashwords which in turn distributed it to Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Sony and a host of others.
    He was happy about it and hoped to read it. Well, who knows, a person can never have enough romance.
Last December 8, I was able to finally publish my romance novel. This exercise instilled in me the value of perseverance, patience and the knowledge that every drop of sweat is worth it.
    Before I joined the #romanceclass, I had 3,000 words of a scene, which I have kept in my creative box(which is of course imaginary). I didn't know how to move on from there.
    Then I joined the #romanceclass, mentored by bestselling romance authoress Mina V. Esguerra. The class met once every two months in cafes where we swap experiences on writing.
    I was egged on by the knowledge that after finishing it, it would be published. And by following certain guidelines, doing research, comparing notes, writing 500 words a day (my own choice of pace for now),I was able to do it.

I have learned that:
1.I want to write.
2.Writing is a need for me.
3.Although not everyone would support you, the few ones that you can find are priceless.
4.After writing the first one, there's a second one.
5.Learning is fun.
6.I have found my Alaska.

Cover (Story) Girl by Chris Mariano

       An unlikely meeting of two people from different walks of life, this enthralling story makes you sit back and relax, savor life under the Boracay sun while the sand trickles on your toes. It's such a refreshing take on life in these islands. A tall glass of icy tropical juice and a book. Perfect. 
      The story opens with Gio, a museum curator and a boy from the islands, being harrassed by a group of Koreans having a photo shoot. He meets Jang Min Hee, the mystery girl, for the first time. The girl seems bent on annoying the protagonist Gio who's traditional and sensible.

       Boracay, the setting for Chris Mariano's first novel, is a Mecca for tourists all over the world. Her characters meet in a place that’s famous for meeting beautiful strangers. What a perfect backdrop for a love story that has a scent of mystery. The author pulls it off with her handsome but grounded lead character, a curator in charge of a museum in Boracay. There he meets a girl whose background is shrouded with secrecy.

     The book's strength lies in its down to earth narrative, a reflection of Gio, the main character in whose eyes the story is revealed. It's a fun read and gives a deeper dimension to a place we only know as a stopover, a respite for weary souls. 

About the Book

Ever since Jang Min Hee walked into Gio’s small museum, she’s given him one excuse after another about why she’s vacationing at scenic Boracay Island. Rarely has Gio’s neat and organized world been shaken like this. Soon he finds himself scrambling over rocks, hiding in dressing rooms, and dragging her out of bars. But how can Gio tell what’s true from what isn’t? Their worlds are getting unraveled – one story at a time.

You can purchase this book on Kindle and Smashwords.com

Book Tour Stop: Vintage Love by Agay LLanera

Giveaways:      3 Swag Bags from Author AgayLlanera, including a paperback copy of Vintage Love and trinkets.

I like old things. The word vintage brings a sepia mood, makes me want to eat halo-halo at Little Quiapo, lets in a couple of throwback photos inside my head, which makes me a sap for anything sentimental.Who isn't? Vintage=romance. The equation maybe subjective, but upon reading the novella Vintage Love,my heart was tickled pink. The pacing was just right, a very entertaining read.

 "  “There’s something inside the pocket.” She took out a wrinkled photograph of a young man channeling James Dean—complete with the slicked-back hair, the white polo tucked in tight jeans, and pointy        leather shoes. His arms were folded while he leaned against a gleaming Vespa.

 But unlike the Rebel without a Cause star, there wasn’t anything brooding about this guy.

 He was laughing at the camera, his eyes crinkled at the corners.  "

                                                                                              -Vintage Love 

So goes an excerpt that will hook and melt your heart.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

26-year-old Crissy Lopez’s life is in dire need of a makeover. Her wardrobe revolves around ratty shirts and beat-up sneaks; her grueling schedule as a TV Executive leaves no room for a social life; and worst of all, she’s still hung up on the Evil Ex who left her five years ago.

When her fashionable grand-aunt passes away and leaves behind a roomful of vintage stuff, the Shy Stylista inside Crissy gradually resurfaces. Soon, she feels like she's making progress -- with a budding lovelife to boot! But the grim ghost of her past catches up with her, threatening to push her back into depression. To finally move on, Crissy learns that walking away is not enough. This time, she needs to take a leap of faith.

Purchase Vintage Love at the following links:

BOOK LINKS:

·         Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com/Vintage-Love-ebook/dp/B00DWO33UA/

·         Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/336762

AUTHOR PROFILE:

Agay Llanera is a freelance writer for television and video, and a published writer of children’s books. She is a member of KUTING, a private, non-stock, non-profit organization, which aims to be the Philippines’ foremost writers’ organization for children. Email her at agay.llanera@gmail.com.

AUTHOR LINKS: 

·         Twitter: @agayskee

·         Blog: http://agayisagirl.blogspot.com

·   

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Book Tour Stop: Hello by Addie Lynn Co

Addie Lynn Co’s Hello is a series of heart warming romances with contemporary settings. The three stories in the book tell of the journey of people whose search for love bring them to unexpected destinations.

The Yes, I'm Writing a Contemporary Romance Novella group (a.k.a. #romanceclass) mentored by top selling romance authoress Mina V. Esguerra has spawned this book about love and serendipity. Happy accidents, moments or whatever you call it, it is life's journey and it starts with one Hello.

 ABOUT THE BOOK:

What if The One actually walks up to you and even says hello, would you greet back or turn your back unknowingly that you have actually met? Would you know when you’ve actually met?

Serendipity is a funny thing that brings a tinge of bittersweet bliss to anyone who is fortunate to experience it. Hello is a trilogy that explores how serendipitous life can sometimes be.

Definitely, Maybe is a story of how fate plays with two people as they meet each decade hoping that maybe this time around, they can finally be together.

Almost Mismatch tells how two people so right for each other be so wrong and no matter how much they try to suppress their feelings, true love will not stop at anything. What is meant to be will be.

Finally, Dinner Date portrays how two people’s search for love could take them to different places and people only to lead them back to where they started.

The world is just like a huge maze that no matter what direction one walks to, there will always be one final destination. There seems to be an invisible string that is handcuffed to two people on each end and unsuspectingly pulls these two people destined for each other back together no matter how long it takes.

Prizes!Prizes!Prizes!

Here are the prizes that you can grab at the rafflecopter.

Copies of the Hello Trilogy and some trinkets!

 AUTHOR PROFILE:

Addie Lynn Co

      

 Addie grew up reading Sweet Valley High books and Nancy Drew 

mystery books. She finished a degree in Communication Arts and really wanted to pursue a career in film making but due to high production costs of a film,she opted to tell her stories through her novels. Being the hopeless romantic that she was, she will stop at nothing to share her passion with everyone and hopes that she could infect others with it. She’s a daydreamer by day and an author by night.

AUTHOR LINKS:

·         http://www.wattpad.com/user/addielynnco

·         https://www.facebook.com/addielynn.co

·         addielynnco@gmail.com

·         http://shelflifeofaddielynn.blogspot.com/

You can purchase Hello through these links.

BOOK LINKS:

·         Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HelloByAddieLynnCo

·         Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/329177

·         Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hello-A-Trilogy-ebook/dp/B00DKC20GC/

·         Paperback Order: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1WwZw48hqiV5O9kRr9JbXY4fB-oLJTK-VSKqll7QEbRk/viewform

·         Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hello-addie-lynn-co/1116157705?ean=2940044657892

·         Kobo: http://www.kobobooks.com/ebook/Hello-A-Trilogy/book-DGZOOw-5q0S1j18obS_4hg/page1.html?s=X5RC5EfUOEeUKx2vzLy1uw&r=1

    

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Dead Stars by Paz Marquez Benitez: An Analysis

Genre: Short Story

Circa: 1912

Before anything else, this is my favourite short story. The reason can be anything from the style, the romantic overture, the sadness that it evokes, the fact that it was written by a woman in 1912, and continues to be one of the best short stories in Philippine Literature. 

Characters

Alfredo Salazar- a thirty something man who is torn between two women

Don Julian Salazar- Alfredo’s father

Carmen Salazar- Alfredo’s sister

Judge Del Valle- neighbor who lives at the house on the hill

Dona Adela del Valle- Judge’s wife

Julia Salas- Dona Adela’s sister; Alfredo’s inamorata

Esperanza- Alfredo’s fiancée

Story:

 Dead Stars remains the quintessential love story.

At first glance, we are introduced to the protagonist Alfredo whose coming wedding moves the plot along. He is shown as confused, almost baffled by the way his life went.

His betrothed, Esperanza, now past thirty, the age which at that time is way past marrying age, can sense his changing demeanor towards her.

We also come to know that he is feeling this way because he meets a woman named Julia Salas. Here, the next scenes show the romance that materializes from the acquaintanceship.

Julia is fast in acknowledging why they feel so. “You have known me a few weeks, so the mystery”. Is it this getting to know stage that seems to boil the blood of past his prime Alfredo? And is this feeling of rush in one’s head  Alfredo’s equation of love?

But Alfredo‘s excitement wanes after four years of being engaged. He finds himself one day looking out the window wondering if he truly has any feelings left for Esperanza.

At the time of his confusion, he meets Julia Salas who seems to return his affection. So he flirts with her and she with him. How thrilling it is to meet someone new, a veritable stranger, mysterious and aloof.

How many times does Alfredo feel this way in the story?

To recall his past experience with his fiancée Esperanza by quoting Carmen, his sister, “ –at the beginning he was enthusiastic- flowers, serenades, note, and things like that,” when talking about Alfredo and Esperanza’s love affair.

And yet at the time he thinks love is “the eternal puzzle”.

It would be prudent for us to ask a few pertinent questions:

1.       Do you think Alfredo is unique in this situation?

2.       Alfredo has flaws and redemptive traits, what are some of them?

3.       What happens to his love affair with Esperanza? With Julia?

4.       Compare and contrast the two affairs by quoting lines as evidence. Which do you think is “real love”?

5.       How does Alfredo feel about Julia in the end?

6.       What is the meaning of the title?

To analyze further, let’s delve on the characters and how they help develop the story:

1.       Why does Don Julian answer “In love? With whom?” when asked by Carmen “Papa, do you remember how much in love he was?”

2.       Describe Julia. Is she a woman of extraordinary traits?

3.       Describe Esperanza. How does she compare with Julia?

From then on, he believes he loves Julia more than he loves Esperanza. For Esperanza, he only has affection, not the passionate feeling he has for Julia. But as they are bound by rules and mores of that generation, Alfredo decides against his heart, and marries Esperanza as promised.

Years pass and we find Alfredo still mooning for a lost love, a love that is never quenched and longs to be fulfilled. He searches for her in a distant town, a place he wants to find solace if he ever finds Julia.

He finds her. And in their reunion, he sees a different person. No, not because of lost youth, he finds her to be different from that person he perceived her to be all these years. And he is disenchanted. The illusion he harbors all these years are nothing but dead stars, long dead but emits light that seems real for the distance it has to travel, light being seen even if the source has lost its own brightness.

Theme:
Love, what it is, what it can be, what people perceive it to be. If a man can only find love as something that will get him excited, then he is in for disappointment. He will never find true love if he doesn't know how to love somebody else other than himself.
Discontent-people often display lack of contentment with what they have. They usually struggle in life looking for things that will satisfy their urge for excitement, hedonistic pursuits and the like.

Metaphor:
Dead Stars- are for all intents and purposes, dead or nonexistent. But because of the sheer distance that the light has to travel, we still see the light that came from it, even if it already faded away. So disilusionment, reminiscent of the past that doesn't exist anymore can be what dead stars symbolize.

At every turn, Paz Marquez Benitez startles me with her use of words. Words like whirling second, piquant perverseness, ghost of sunset sadness, unvexed orthodoxy of her mind, and a lot more.

This story takes us somewhere- ”Elsewhere”,  makes us wonder about choices,  regrets, and the definition of love.

Click here to view the complete short story.

Yes, I"m Writing a Contemporary Romance Novella!

I joined a workshop in writing. It's called "Yes, I'm Writing a Contemporary Romance Novel". And here was my newspaper article in Manila Bulletin.

            Summer is here, you grow restless and dreamy. And then you suddenly think about the book you have dreamed of writing for the longest time.

             Perhaps you’re one of those who have read hundreds of romance books when you were young; or even now, an incorrigible passionista who one day decided to change places with your favourite writer and for once get the ending that you really ache for.

             So here you are, armed with a laptop and a mother lode of ideas that you think would catapult you to the bestsellers’ list ( or at least to be officially called an  “ author”) . But wait a minute, between actually coming up with the idea and signing a contract with a publisher is a whole gamut of complex decisions, sleepless nights and hopefully, growth. It is not unlike giving birth to a child, according to many writers.

             Last March 17, a handful of hopeful romantics met for the second time to discuss the specifics of their outlines for a romance novel in English. This writing workshop is ongoing and our group dynamics is in session 24/7 in Facebook, with everybody pitching in with ideas that may lead to the development of the stories. There are 99 members in this group. Right now, 37 submitted their outlines for love stories.

             Topselling romance novelist Ms. Mina V. Esguerra who organized the group facilitated and got the set to talk about their methods on how to tickle the readers and their preferences for love scenes. Yes, believe it or not, the icky stuff. Called “Yes, I’m Writing a Contemporary Romance Novella”, this class meet each month and lay out what they have accomplished that time.

            Mina V. Esguerra has written eight books, the latest, which is The Interim Goddess of Love, is about Hannah Maquiling (name sound familiar?) a second year college student who was given a job as a temp . Her mission? To be the goddess of love and help the world (or at least her campus) cope with love (or the lack of it).The Interim Goddess of Love has been out in the bookstores since January 2013. It can also be bought and read online where Ms. Esguerra self published it on Amazon,  Barnes and Noble.

            The authoress has been guiding us all throughout to make this arduous and beautiful task easier .  And what is the point of this exercise? What else but to come up with a 30,000 word novel at the end of six months. Wow. One wonders is it possible for the mostly virgin novel writers? Yes, most members have never written a novel, although a couple of girls have published Tagalog Romance novels under their belts.

             Many concerns were tackled every meet up. Like how to create fascinating and believable characters. We learned that to be able to write the story we must first give breath to the characters. And, like what Hemingway said, they are people. “Characters are caricatures,” unable to satisfy a reader’s emotional needs. We must write about people. Writing the history of a person, from the moment  she was born (at least on paper), her physical looks, the way she thinks, her quirks, is the backbone of the story. For many writers, the characters are the most important part of the story.

          Someone said that writing can only be taught to one who already has the gift for words. Seeing these interesting women (and man) who are bound by their love for reading and want to take it to the next level-which is writing, I have discovered that it is not only the gift of words, but the passion and the romance that these people believe in.

        

         Because no matter how a writer detaches herself from her main character, chances are she lives the character’s life for awhile until the words that say the end.