Let me say a big Howdy to you all!
My favorite things? This has to be books, books and more books. Must admit that some of my most favorite things are the books I read.
“Books become friends” is probably what I might call this blog today. So, I thought I’d take you through the things I go through sometimes in writing a story, and also, the things I learn.
And, at the end, if you would be so kind as to keep reading, I thought I’d share a personal story about why books become friends.
Probably you are aware that for writers, these characters we create become real people to us, and, in addition, they can help us in so many different ways. But, let me explain:
Let me start first with the hero, Eagle Heart, from SHE STEALS MY BREATH. The title for the book comes from being inspired by many poems from John Trudell — of AIM and Rock & Roll fame. But the hero of this story came to me at a time when things were not so easy for me.
And so, as it was in the Indian days of ole, this hero entered into my dreams, calming some fears in my life at that moment in time. His care and concern for the heroine in the story was really somewhat based on the care that he showed me in my dreams. It was this hero who encouraged me to research and write about the Medicine Man of old. Now, this might seem strange that a hero talks to the author. But, if you have a chance to talk to many writers, they will probably tell you the characters in these books take on a life of their own and often they do talk to a writer. Also, sometimes they resist my attempts to write a scene they feel is out of character for them. I’ve learned over the years to pay attention to this.
In the book, SHE CAPTURES MY HEART, the hero of this story, Gray Falcon, showed me what exactly a medicine man was all about when his concept of right and wrong was challenged. Instead of caving, however, he made light of the problem, and he brought humor (as did the heroine) into the story. Strangely, the humor came at a time when it seemed there wasn’t too much to laugh about. These two (the hero and heroine) often gave me the giggles when I was writing the book.
In the book, BLUE THUNDER AND THE FLOWER, the hero’s struggle in a world foreign to him brought about some understanding of what those men faced so long ago and how they coped with what was thrown at them and how they went on to make a good life for themselves despite many trials and tribulations.
In the book, IRON WOLF’S BRIDE, this hero stunned me with his determination to keep his marriage alive, regardless of the lies and “road-blocks” set in his path. This hero refused to believe the worst of the heroine and also gave me many insights into the Indian character of old because he realized there was foul play afoot and went about discovering it. And, his determination and “smarts” to figure it all out impressed me. He never gave up. I thought it was a good lesson to learn.
In GRAY HAWK’S LADY, I was treated to a hero, who, despite his anger at what heroine had done to him, did not sink to treating her in a bad way. In fact, he went on to give her respect, even protected her from others’ gossip. It was also this book I was writing when I met my husband, and Gray Hawk was quite willing to re-enact our first kiss, which is written in the pages of that book. Because of his care for this heroine who had, at first, treated him in a bad way, both she and I fell in love with his character.
These are some of the stories where the hero of the story has taken over and has somehow changed my perspective about something. And, I love how, when the characters change, I do, too. Another such character was Strikes Fast in the third book in the medicine man series. This hero was in need of redemption. Though a warrior through and through, he had once been on the medicine path, a road fraught with many temptations, one of them taking revenge, which he took too far. I learned many things from this story of the hero and heroine, one of them being the value of good friends and family. I hadn’t expected this part of the story, but I grew into loving what they loved because of its importance to these characters.
And now, for a story about romance and romance books in general and why they are one of my most favorite things:
Long ago, when I had very small children (they were both babies, really), there was a time when my husband (my ex) was often out of town. He was doing internships and so finance was scarce. So, it was up to me to somehow take care of the babies and all this entails, including “bringing home the bacon,” so to speak. It was at this time when I discovered the real treasure of romance books. They calmed me, helped me to get a good night’s sleep and helped to keep me going. Also, I made some very good friends along the way, too, and romance books became a wonderful friend.
Life got better, of course. But, I’ve never forgotten that time, nor the simple pleasure the books provided. Interestingly, one of my daughters tells me one of her finest memories from that time period is going to sleep while I was reading a book. From this, I’ve realized that sometimes all one needs is a good story to get a person through a tough time in life. It’s one of the main reasons I write.
Well, that’s all for today. Am hoping you enjoyed the blog on this terrifically fine Tuesday and, if you did, please leave a comment about your own favorite things. Oh, I almost forgot. When you leave a comment, you’ll automatically be entered into the drawing for one of my e-books–your choice. See the Giveaway Guidelines to the right for the rules.
KAREN KAY aka GEN BAILEY is the multi-published author of American Indian Historical Romances. She has written for such prestigious publishers as AVON/HarperCollins, Berkley/Penguin/Putnam and Samhain Publishing. KAREN KAY’S great grandmother was Choctaw Indian and Kay is honored to be able to write about the American Indian Culture.
Please refer to https://petticoatsandpistols.com/sweepstakesrules for all contest rules.
One of my favorite things is reading also, I grew up on Nancy Drew books so mystery/suspense is my favorite genre along with Louis L’Amour westerns, his are the BEST!
I love to read while drinking a cup of rea and petting one of our cats. The book can be just about anything as long as it is interesting.
Hi David! Wonderful to see you here on the blog. Yes, a cup of tea or perhaps for me, coffee. It’s great to have such a diversity of interest. Must admit I prefer history or romance and 2nd to those are mysteries. : )
Hi Naomi!
I loved the Nancy Drew books, also, and agree with you about Louis L’Amour westerns. But, I have to admit that it was romance that really got me reading a lot. I loved the mysteries, but in my mind, I’d create a romance to go with it. : ) Thank you so much for your post.
I love reading also and especially love mysteries
Hi Sharon! Thank you so much for your post. I, too, love mysteries. : ) Thank you for your post.
I am 60 years old and I still remember learning to read and how amazed I was. I am a full fledged book addict!
Hi Rhonda! Thank you so much for your sharing your thoughts. Wow! I love it!
Even at 79 there is no greater joy than to pick up a good book. I find myself laughing and crying along with the characters. I definitely find many friends in my reading materials, especially with my favorite authors of which you are one, Karen. Adding mystery into a series brings further enjoyment to see how this mystery is handled. If someone is in love, I feel the pains when there are arguments or misunderstandings and have the same angst. My husband does not understand it as it the same as tv and not reality. However, since he is specifically a realistic person, a history buff and researcher of is various interests, he does not understand how someone could cry when a character on the tv or in the story you are reading, should bring out such emotions. Well, to begin with, I am a woman and full of emotions as most women are. GOD bless your work, Karen.
Wow, Judy, I so agree with you. Reading a book is an intimate experience — hearing it on audio I think lessons the intimate quality — but it’s still good. Tv and movies pale in comparison is simple reading. : )
Some of my earliest memories are of reading books. They rank at the top of my “favorite things” list. Thanks for the chance to win a prize.
Hi Vickie! Yes, it is likewise with me. I really share the joys and woes of these characters.
I grew up reading Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys, Trixie Beldin then it became romance books withThe Love Comes Softly series by Jeanette Oke.
Hi Barbara! Oh, how I love those books, too, although I read the Nancy Drew series and only saw the Hardy Boys on TV. I’ll have to look up the Love Comes Softly series. Sounds wonderful.
I did not love reading until I was out of school, it always felt like a chore that had to be done… and book reports, was not a fan… but now a day hardly passes without me reading. I first got hooked by reading a Catherine Coulter book. Then I picked up more and more books… now I would rather read than watch a movie or TV.
Gosh, Colleen, I’m with you on rather read than anything else, including anything else. And, I love history, also, have my nose in history constantly when I’m writing. But, I love all kinds of books — but romance is really my favorite. I love the play between the two characters and often they teach me something.
I love reading and I did volunteer mentoring for reading for 2nd and 3rd graders for about 5 years. Some of the kiddos did not know how to pronounce alot of the words and when I helped them and they pronounced them right, they got such a happy smile on their faces. It was so good hearing them read and them understanding the story in the books . I really enjoyed mentoring reading to these little ones, it is so rewarding. Have a great week.
Wow Alicia! Thank you for doing what you did to bring about a love of reading for the young ones. In the old days, storytellers were treasured. I think nowadays, the treasures are our books. : )
Books are the quietest and most constant of friends…
Charles William Eliot
Hi Denise! Gosh, I love that quote. I feel the same.
As a child, I read the whole children’s library collection in our public library, and in my school library during the school years. I still love to read! My friends call me a book fiend, although nowadays I read ebooks or listen to audiobooks because of my declining vision.
Hi Ami!
Wow, you sound a bit like my sister, who loved to read as a child. I was usually outside playing a lot, but her most favorite thing was to sit and read. It wasn’t until I was about 11 or 12 that I fell in love with reading and then I, too, started to read all the romance books I could find at the library. Even though it’s e-books now and audiobooks, I still think of those as reading, although I do prefer the book instead of audio. But, I listen to a lot of audio books now as I do other things around the house. Thank you so much, Ami, for telling me a little bit about yourself. : )
Books and music are two of my favorite things. Either one can help distract me from the troubles of life.
Hi Kim! Funny you should mention music, too. My mother was a music teacher and so I grew with music all around me. I played both piano and clarinet and we — of course — had to practice every day. Yes, books and music. Thank you for reminding me of music, also. : )
I love reading and gardening. Unfortunately, since I’m getting older it hard to do as much gardening as I would like. My pastime to relax me besides reading and gardening is playing games on the computer.
Hi Billye! Yes, I must admit I like gardening, also. My husband is much better at it than I am, but there’s something very satisfying about gardening, also. And, a secret I learned from Grandfather George — who was a gardner, also, is that plants always do better if one talks to them. And so, yes, I do talk to my plants. And, sometimes it seems to me they “talk” back to me — not really talk, but goodness if their bed is dry, if I’m anywhere close to them, suddenly I’m aware of it. : )
I love reading. I read Nancy Drew, Grace Livingston Hill, Phylilis whitney, Janette Oke Dee Henderson and to many more to mention. I love romance, suspense, mystery, Amish , westerns, and many more.
Hi LInda! I’ve read Nancy Drew and Grace Livingston Hill, also. There was another author, much like Grace Livingston Hill, who I used to seek out at the library. She wrote “who done it” stories along with romance. Loved them.
I too have always loved reading, so much so that I worked in our school library for the last four years before I graduated. I love helping by editing books. Are they friends? Most sincerely!
Hi Starr! Thank you so much for coming to the blog today. I suspected you would think of books as friends, too. Yes, books are good friends.
I would rather read than doing just about anything else. I love reading! My favorites are historicals, although I enjoy cozy mysteries as well.
Hi KariJean! Yes, I agree. I love soaking in the bath and reading. Like you, I love historicals — something I can sink my teeth into. And I also like cozy mysteries. And, I like writing books, too. Takes me to different places. Thanks so much, Kari.
reading
Howdy! Yep! You said it. Reading is wonderful!
Books are and always have been best friends. When I was in grade school (starting about 4th grade), I would walk the mile or so into town to the library. I would spend the entire day there. I read mostly nonfiction. Books on science, archeology, anthropology, and ancient cultures were favorites. At home I read Nancy Drew (an aunt had the complete collection from her youth, so the original books) and the Hardy Boys. In college I read mostly suspense and intrigue. When my children were little, I really didn’t have much time to read. About the only thing I managed over several years was the James Harriot series starting with All Creatures Great and Small. When I had time to read again, I went back to the Suspense and intrigue books. I didn’t discover romance until I was in my late 40’s and have been enjoying it ever since, concentrating on historical and suspense romances. I wish I had much more time to read, but do as often as I can.
Hi Patricia! I love that you told me about your early life and reading. You know, like you, I don’t have much time to read anything except research (history)…which I love. I tend to read in the bath now — and this allows me to read more. When my kids were young, I’d read them to sleep and then pick up my own book and read until I went to sleep. I loved reading more about you.
My mom instilled a love of reading in me and my siblings. I’m the oldest of 10 and not only did she read books aloud to us when we were small, she loved to read so much (and had so little spare time) that she carved out periods for her own reading by barricading herself in the bathroom from time to time.
I read Nancy Drew and other mysteries, horse stories (my 7th grade math teacher forgave my reading “The Black Stallion” under the cover of my math book – I babysat for her children when I was in high school), sci-fi/fantasy and other fiction. I’m still a fan of mysteries and sci-fi/fantasy but have added sweet romance to the mix.
Hi Mary!
Gosh, I loved reading your post. What a wonderful way to grow up — and having 9 brothers and sisters. Wow! Thank you so much for coming here and leaving a post.