I Love My Character, and I Hope She Loves Me

Hello all! Darynda Jones here, author of the Charley Davidson series. Leena Hyat of Tote Bags ‘n Blogs was gracious enough to invite me as a guest on her blog, and I’m so happy to be here. Thanks, Lee, for having me, and thanks readers for being here.

Tomorrow is January 31, and the third edition of the Charley Davidson series will be released. I’m excited. There are butterflies in the pit of my stomach. I love Charley, and I love having the glorious opportunity to write her stories.  It’s a blast being able to share her with others, knowing that some readers out there have as much love for her as I do.

As a character, I could not have asked for a better person to come through from divine inspiration. If I could interact with one of my characters for real, it would be Charley. I would love to have the opportunity to hang out with her. I can only begin to imagine the wicked danger she would get me into. She would scare me, but we would be fast, lifelong buddies.

Charley is one of those characters that comes along at a time when you need her most. I was determined to live out my destiny and calling of being an author. What to write, though? Who to write about? I knew in order to gain the attention of the NY literary world I would have to come up with a spectacular female lead.

Now, some people have heard the story of Charley’s “birth.” I was lying in bed, waiting for my turn at the shower. I was daydreaming and under the woozy influence of menthol vapors steaming from my bedside vaporizer. I was wondering about my heroine. Then she came to me, like a thief in the night. Only it was daytime, and all she stole was my heart. I have been on cloud nine ever since.

I love writing about Charley. I feel honored to have been chosen to tell her stories. She has a vibrancy and a nuance about her. Awww. Who am I kidding? She’s loads of fun. She’s a hoot. Not too many people, err, characters could be referred to as: smart-ass, child-like, severely ADD, schizoid, hilarious, dangerous, possibly violent and yet, fun-loving and kind-hearted.

And I don’t want to give any spoilers, but let me ask you this. How many people do you know continue to push their luck with a pack of guard dogs at an abandoned mental institution just for the sake of names? Who else but Charley would flagrantly flaunt her gnarly trespassing “skills” to an outlaw biker gang just to go visit some ghost buddy who hangs out at this same mental institution? I know the neighborhood this old building sits in. Believe me. Not many people want to hang out there. Would you want to rumble with the Son of Satan? Would you pursue a murderer or two, putting your life at risk for the sake of a client? Charley does.

Some of you may be wondering about my mental health. I realize I am talking about Charley as though she were a real, live person. Maybe you’re extending to me the excuse of being a highly imaginative writer. Having minored in psychology for my bachelor’s degree, I understand you could argue that Charley’s simply an extension of my personality. I know full well she could be a way of allowing myself the privilege of letting my inner child to come forth, or my inner psycho, or my inner coffee drinker (Sadly, I’m relegated to decaf right now, folks).

I know Charley’s not real, but I think she’s awesome. We’ve had some fun together, her and I. The last three years I have spent with Charley in my life have been truly amazing, and I expect the experience to continue on. She has at least two more stories to look forward to. Me, that is. For me to look forward to because I truly love telling her stories. Aww. Good times. Good times. Thanks Charley.

And thank you all so very much! I’ve enjoyed talking about Charley from a writer’s POV. I have two more things I’d like to share. First, I’m giving away a signed, hardcover of Third Grave Dead Ahead to one winner, so good luck, all! Second, how is a winner determined? Get on the Tote Bags ‘n Books comment board and answer this question. A winner will be chosen from one of the participants this evening.

So answer this: Which literary character would you like to spend the day with in their world? I would love to know what everyone’s answer to that is. It tells a lot about the reader. Ha ha.


***Candie is the winner for the hardcover of Third Grave Dead Ahead!!  Congratulations!  Please email totebag@authorsoundrelations.com with your full name and mailing address!***