Characters who walk off the page

When you're writing a story, you're never alone. Characters pull up a chair and a coffee, and chat with you like old friends. They wake you up at night, leaving you bleary-eyed and fumbling for your Notes app. They suggest lines and mannerisms. They make themselves seen in the curve of a woman's arm, the slow amble of a grocery shopper. They talk and talk and talk and TALK (AHHHH😓) until you know them - you can feel them. They're real people, if only in your mind. But it’s enough.

Several months ago, one of my colleagues led an exercise for self-care at work. She said, “Imagine you're surrounded by three beings: one who protects you, one makes you laugh, and the other who is wise.” My own characters immediately came to mind - before any real-life person. It made me giddy. And it struck me with the force of a hypothesis proven right: that's when I knew it was real. That the fantasy map I sketched onto paper, the cities I'd inked into words, the characters I'd built - they are REAL.

Even if no one ever reads my book (they already have), even if I never publish (I will!), even if it’s all pointless (it kind of is, in its own way, yes, I’m having a new-year existential crisis), the characters are real - for me. They LIVE (cue creepy Dr. Frankenstein music).

My characters have loved. They have succeeded and failed. I can see them as clearly as my own memories. It took time - a year to be exact - but that’s how it feels to me to write characters. And it’s an immense comfort - like the first warm sip of coffee on a chilly morning - that I’ll always be able to return to my book and read about them again.

I remember when my characters were still snippets, all bare bones and bullet points. I went back to my original sketches recently to update some of those initial thoughts, and burst out laughing. Because while I did plan out most of my novel, the characters (mostly) developed as I wrote them. More on that later when I can actually start telling you about them. I can’t wait to introduce you to them… 🥹

I’m sure they’ll still do some things that annoy me, though (like meander off-book. Get it together, Lia). And honestly, fine. Just stick around, would you, dear characters? For the rest of my life, please and thank you?

- I posted a literal trope tree on my Instagram recently, highlighting some of what you can expect from Book 1 of 2 of my duology! Thanks for being patient with me. So many people have reached out to ask, “when can I read your book?” and that means SO much! We’ll just have to be patient together. I can’t wait to hold it in my hands one day, in book form. 🙂 You’ll be the first to hear when there are developments!

-My. Book. Is. With. Beta. Readers! For those who aren’t familiar, betas are test readers who are often the last place to get feedback before final revisions. At this point, pending that feedback, the book is more or less done in my eyes. I am so grateful to the people who have volunteered to read a piece, which in my eyes, is perfectly perfect 😉 Just kidding.

Sending out to betas was one of the most anxious nights of my life. Sharing such a big part of my heart suddenly with several people is a huge deal. And I wiped myself out. So I’m on a little break from writing and editing while the feedback starts to roll in (I’m actually proud of myself for not checking 5x a day). And if you’re one of my betas - thank you for helping make this writer’s dreams come true!

-I drew a map for a completely new fantasy world with completely new characters, and YEAH, that is definitely happening. One day. After I finish writing the duology, lol. You know when you KNOW you have to create something? This is that story. It’s like a little bit of Our Flag Means Death combined with a huge flip on a classic princess trope. And there are sapphics of course. 🤷🏻‍♀️

Watching: Currently watching XO Kitty when I’m on the rower (so in short bursts). Not sure if I’m just not in the mood for teen drama, but it did get better after episode 2. I recently rewatched Heartstopper Season 2 and it was all the happy queer goodness I needed in my life (so maybe sometimes I AM in the mood for teen drama?). I also started rewatching Somebody Somewhere on HBO and goodness, that show makes me weep and laugh in the best ways. It’s a beaut.

Listening: If you read this newsletter regularly, you’re going to see a wide, wild range of musical choices. I’ve finally moved on from setting AJR’s new album on repeat every day, and lately I’ve been listening to some oldies but goodies - “Never Let Met Go” by Florence and the Machine, and “Somewhere Only We Know” by Keane (because it reminds me of a particular scene in my book with two of my characters in a snow-covered solarium). ❤️ Ooh look, you got an exclusive hint! Lucky you!

Crafting: I love crafting (some of you know I’ve been sewing since college - so 14 years). I started trimming some blocks for a simple quilt that I’ll probably make for my cat. She needs her own quilt, after all. I’ll take a picture soon - I’m so bad at remembering to take crafty pics these days.

Reading: Last year, I read 35 books, which was several more than I expected to get to, what with reading my own epic fantasy 10 times (so does that count as 45 books?). I recently enjoyed Tress of the Emerald Sea by Brandon Sanderson, but I think I’d enjoy it even more in a different mindset (again, weird post-holiday mood). It was a slower, more cozy pace than I was looking for, but the characters were divine, and I had one of the plot twists figured out early, which made it very endearing.

Cody Rigsby’s memoir pumped me up when I was cleaning or doing chores (#boocrew forever!). I can’t imagine reading that physical book - the audiobook was the way to go. And now I have a new perspective of him when I take his Peloton rides.

I’m halfway through Ink Blood Sister Scribe by Emma Törzs, and I’m loving the modern setting combined with magical books. There was also a Tolkien reference, so yes.

Amber hopes you enjoyed this first newsletter and a peek into my writing world. See you in March!

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