If you are anything like me, you secretly wanted to write a well-read book. As I got older, this dream (for a lack of a better term) became less important to chase. It might be because one’s hands can’t come up with all the ideas they brainstormed. Or one wrote themselves in a corner. Or tried to get out a romance/chick flick rut. And let me tell you, those ruts are hellish and come out of no where. Or my favorite, can’t think of a good connector sentence. Like now.
I also gave up on this dream by accident. You know, they old I got busy with school, work, or life gig. After writing for school, I expected that the only things I would write that others might read were historical non-fiction. But not having a job, being finished with school, and reading fiction for the first time in too long. I was reading a book on Agatha Christie’s most famous works and got inspired. What if some one tried to apply the lessons of Agatha to their own life. The quick imagining in my head made the girl who rarely laughs crack up.
Hopefully I can collect my thoughts and put my thoughts on to the screen via this blog. With a keyboard that I have to force to type the letter f. Maybe get some feedback. Maybe as a reminder of another project I would like to get back to. I’m going to let the writing on the keyboard lead the way. Oh that was too corny. Ignore that last part.
Characters I have thought of and will try to develop. I need to get to know these characters. Let them drive the story instead of plots that are thrown in just to have them.
- Vivianne White: Usually called Viv by her sister Veronica and their friends. A college freshman who is not exactly sure what she wants to do as a career. She is up for volunteering to figure out what she wants to do or taking random college classes because it sounds fun. She is currently working for the college bookstore to help make ends meet. Agatha Christie is one authors in her English lit class. Lives with her fraternal twin sister Vera. A bit naive and has a cooky view of how things works. Understands the value of work experience as opposed to only knowing theory. Tries to use the techniques in Christie’s books to solve mysteries. Usually fails. She thinks she isn’t doing it right or misinterpreted detective techniques. All she needs is practice. Known as the cook of the group. Has brown hair and very ordinary brown eyes and is more interested in her schemes than the boys.
- Veronica White, or Vera for short. Viv’s fraternal twin sister. A horrible cook and a practical freshman. She constantly has to remind Viv what is appropriate behavior and what is not. Tries, and usually unsuccessfully, to get Viv to think things through. A bit cold at times but she has Viv’s interests at heart. She loves music and would like to share her love of music with others. She’s not the best singer but she knows it. Her real talent is with the xylophone. She broke her arm in a car accident and her doctors suggested using music as therapy. To Vera, this is a logical career choice. She is more interested in boys than her sister. Started to date childhood friend Michael during their senior year of high school. A dark blonde with brown eyes.
- Michael Green is Vera’s boyfriend. He and the twins have known each other since they were ten. A by-the-books kind of guy. He is working at his uncle’s business to save up some money for college. The business is not doing all that well and Michael expects that he will need to look for another job. Too bad very few are hiring. Because many of the employees are older and he is not in school, it’s difficult for Michael to make new friends in a new town. He tags along with Vera and Viv for this reason. Actively searching to enlarge his social circle.
- Dr. Jane Hastings is Vera’s English lit professor and a bit odd. She seems to be stuck in the 1940s in her style. But don’t worry, it’s coming back in fashion she says. She likes mysteries especially Christie. Very few in her class like her teaching style by Viv can’t wait until TTH 11 am – 12:15 pm arrives. Encouraged Viv to come to the book club on campus but only Viv, Vera, Michael and Jane are there. Tries to get Viv to become an English major and only read books.
- Roger Leach is Viv’s boss. Finds it strange that Viv is more concerned with books the store does not have compared to books she is trying to sell. He keeps an eye on Viv when her Christie obsession starts to effect her work. Is worried that Viv is focusing too much of her time on Christie and not focusing on coursework. Concerned about Viv.
- Officer John Blake is an investigator that is happy that a freshman is interested in law enforcement but mystified by her efforts and techniques. Tries to convince Viv to take some criminal justice classes and to drop those “silly notions either found in a time long ago or in a book.” Blake is struggling with the loss of his wife. The reader never knows if she was killed or she left him.
I will have Viv research Christie and try to apply this “knowledge” to life. I’m not a big fan or anything like that. I’ve read our Christie books but I will be researching along with Viv.
