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Saturday, September 3, 2011

Disturbing the Dead

Did you feel the earth move last week during the earth quake? Many might have experienced a little rocking and rolling as it  affected at least 22 states. I live in Pittsburgh, so you can imagine my shock. As most days, I was seated at my computer, typing away, totally amerced in what I was writing, blocking out the world.

As an author, character development is key in making a story come to life on paper. I spend so much time inside my characters’ heads, working out their personality traits, their likes and dislikes, solving their problems, they become as real to me as dear friends and I get attached to them. When I’m having trouble working out a scene or character flaw, I literally place it in the hands of my muse and wait. Sometimes the problem will be resolved through a dream. I spend so much time with them, they often star in my dreams. Or in the case of Michael DeVeccio from MASK OF THE BETRAYER My nightmares.

Setting the scene is equally as vital to the story. It sets the mood and tone of the book after all. For the last several months, I’ve lost myself in research for a romantic suspense starring Detective Oliver. In this book, he works quite closely with a mediator in trying to catch a killer. So last week, there I was, deep in the throws of a murder scene at a cemetery. My characters were tramping through a creepy cemetery rumored to be haunted. Just when they were running past the tomb of a voodoo queen, my computer chair rolled on its wheels and my screen trembled. The hardwood floor beneath me shook and vibrated for a minute. Not knowing we were in the midst of an earth quake, for a fleeting minute, I was convinced that I’d roused the ghost of Marie Laveau!

Have a ghost story? Did you feel the earth move during an earth quake? Tell me whilst Oliver mixes your favorite drink with a wink and a smile.

19 comments:

Sharon Donovan said...

Did you ever rise the dead? Oliver, mix me a Bloody Mary, I'm all shook up. gulp

Hywela Lyn said...

Wow, what an experience! Not quite the way you'd want to 'feel the earth move'!

I think you know my ghostly stories already,dear friend, but I'm still wondering about the mysterious lady who appeared in a photograph I took at an old haunted mansion, and then just as mysteriously began to fade... and I wasn't the only person who saw her!

Wanda Snow Porter said...

Hi Sharon,
In California, the earth is always rocking and rolling. So please, Oliver, a glass of wine would be fine, especially if it's from the Napa Valley. As for ghosts,well...I'll risk sounding crazy. After writing "Spurs for Jose" I often imagine his ghost sitting with me on the Dana Adobe's veranda, but he's so cute it isn't scary.

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Lyn, sweet girl, yes you've told me most of your ghost stories but you know me, I never get enough of them. Grin

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Wanda, such a fascinating tale, I'm sitting here smiling, picturing Marie at my side. Wink

Oliver said...

Sharon, a chilling Bloody Mary, a nice mead for Lyn, and a nicely aged Napa Valley for you, Wanda, is there any other kind, wink

Author Roast and Toast said...

Thank you Oliver - you are such a dear!

Debra St. John said...

Hello Oliver...I'll take a splash of something! A nice glass of moscato will do nicely. (kisses)

What an experience, Sharon!

I've never raised a ghost for a story, but I swear sometimes we have one living in our house. Upstairs, I'll hear footsteps, but when I call my husband's name, no one answers. Then I know it's "Barney" as we've named him. He seems quite friendly.

Oliver said...

Debra darling, here we go then love, a nice glass of moscata, cheers and kisses, my sweet

Lynne Marshall said...

Hi Sharon. I'm late to the blog, excuse me. I felt the earthquake all the way out here in California. We had a smaller earthquake in Newhall earlier this week. :)
When I was 16 my friend and I witnessed something I'll never be able to explain. I believe it's called a poltergeist. My friend had sworn to me a child ghost lived at her house. I thought she was pulling my leg until one day we were in her bedroom and we heard the hair drying go on in her mother's bedroom. Since her mother wasn't home, we ran to see what was up. While we stood there scratching our heads at a hairdryer turning on by itself, we heard a big racket in the bathroom - ran over to see the medicine cabinet open and, as if a hand (that we couldnt' see!) was moving from row to row, everything was crashing out into the sink - one row after another.
Freaky! My friend almost convinced me she had a ghost at her house that day.
And we WERE NOT SMOKING ANYTHING. promise.

Oliver said...

Lynne my sweet, after that chilling ghost tale, have a double martini.

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Debra, dear girl, at least he's a friendly ghost, wink. I love tales from beyond and will be hosting a Halloween blog in October for one and all to regale all that is hallowed.

Sharon Donovan said...

Lynne, my goodness, that's a chilling tale that makes me a believer in things that go bump in the night. Living in California, no doubt you've felt a quiver or two. Be sure and visit during the month of October.

P.L. Parker said...

I thought I left a comment but isn't showing up, Google seems to be somewhat testy these day. I've never been in an earthquake that I remember, but I have been in them, just didn't feel the earth shake. Story of my life. I always miss the exciting stuff.

Sharon Donovan said...

LOL Patsy, such a unique spin on things, sister, wink.

Caroline Clemmons said...

Sharon, thank Oliver for me. I can definitely use that drink today!

I wasn't affected by the quake, but I remember them from when I lived in California as a child. Keep writing those wonderful (sometimes scary) books.

Sharon Donovan said...

Thank you, Caroline. Living in California, no doubt you had more than a slight ripple. Here comes Oliver, name your poison. Grin

Oliver said...

Caroline my pretty, what can I get you love?
A beerfor your sweet lips, Patsy, darlin'

Mary Ricksen said...

That one was a shock for everyone!
Every picture taken in my grandfathers house has an orb in it!