Acceptable Authorly Stalking
When choosing new characters for the next manuscript (which is the stage I'm currently in), writers use all kinds of different inspiration for their next hero & heroine...
But for my next book,
Moore's Maiden
, I'm not inspired by any of these. I've got some real-life inspiration who is staying at my house this week. Meet Jennifer Arocha who, in the fertile valley of my mind, is becoming my new heroine Johanna Langley. Yes, she's even more beautiful in person. If dreams come true, my future publisher will do a photo shoot and use her for the cover art.
Okay, back to reality.
If and when you choose a living/breathing person as one of your new characters, don't go all creepy-stalker on them. Let them know ahead of time, so that when you are watching their mannerisms, you don't freak out your subject. More often than not, they'll be honored that you've chosen them to be the model for your new character.
Even if you're not currently in the picking-new-characters stage, if you see an interesting and/or beautiful face, start a file and keep it there (either on-line or physical). Next time you are crafting a fresh story, you'll have a head-start.
- People on Pinterest
- Movie stars
- Characters from other books
- Someone in a magazine
Okay, back to reality.
If and when you choose a living/breathing person as one of your new characters, don't go all creepy-stalker on them. Let them know ahead of time, so that when you are watching their mannerisms, you don't freak out your subject. More often than not, they'll be honored that you've chosen them to be the model for your new character.
Even if you're not currently in the picking-new-characters stage, if you see an interesting and/or beautiful face, start a file and keep it there (either on-line or physical). Next time you are crafting a fresh story, you'll have a head-start.