Friday, August 17, 2012

Guest Post: Andrea Buginsky: Characters Coming to Life

I’d like to thank P.T. for inviting me to his wonderful world of superheroes to introduce my own group of superheroes, The Chosen. This group of brave warriors is derived from an online role-playing game I played with my family at the time I wrote the first book, “The Chosen.” I wanted to take our characters on more quests, and develop them more along the lines of how I saw them.

The easiest character for me to develop was Halli, as she’s mine. But I found that as I started writing the story, Halli showed me sides to her I never knew; as did the others. I’ve always heard authors speaking about their characters taking over and writing their own stories, but I hadn’t experienced it until I began writing “The Chosen.” It’s a wonderful feeling.

Now that the second book in the series, “Nature’s Unbalance,” is published, my readers can learn more about the characters as well. I feel they’ve grown since the first book, as have I. I have just completed the first draft of the third book, and they are continuing to grow, as, once again, am I.

From book to book, story to story, these characters are coming to life more and more, and I am coming to love them more and more. I love to see where they take me from one storyline to the next, rather than where I am taking them. it doesn’t matter how many notes, outlines, or ideas I make for each story; they eventually start taking over and the book comes to life right before my eyes. It’s amazing!

I also love hearing from my readers how much they are enjoying getting to know my characters. My plan is to continue to develop them individually and as a group from book to book. I don’t want to just focus on one or two of them, with the rest being background characters. I want each of them to shine. I want my readers to be able to point to one of them and say, “That’s me. That’s who I am like.”

For me, I can tell you right now: I am Halli through and through. This wonderful character is teaching me so much about myself, and opening up my eyes to more and more possibilities of what could lie ahead for me.

Which member of The Chosen are you most like? Your choices are:
  • Halli, a female dwarf paladin with the power to heal who is shy, friendly, loyal, giving and heartwarming.
  • Silvorhawk, a male goliath mage who is fun loving, caring, respectful, and protective.
  • Striker, a male elf hunter who is a natural born leader, fatherly, protective, and respectful.
  • Kaidyla, a female elf hunter who is stubborn, protective, and a true friend to those she lets inside.
  • Lumina, a female elf druid who is carefree, charming, loving, and giving.
  • Redsham, a male goliath shaman who is warm, fun loving, caring, funny, and outgoing.

So, who do you see yourself as? Comment below.

Andrea Buginsky is a freelance writer and author. “The Chosen” was her first book, and was followed by “My Open Heart,” an autobiography about growing up with heart disease. “Nature’s Unbalance” is the second story in THE CHOSEN series. Andrea plans to write more in the series. She’s already done with the first draft of book 3 and has a concept for book 4. You can find Andrea on her website, Andi’s Realm. Her books are available at Amazon.

Thanks to Andrea for allowing me to host her here today.  Of course you too can write a guest post to plug whatever you want to plug.  All you got to do is contact me and let me know which Monday or Friday works for you.

Tuesday is another Two-Fer.  And remember starting today is the eFestival of Books online.  You can chat with me (and others) about female heroes 6pm EST Saturday and about short stories 1pm EST Sunday. Click HERE to sign up (it's FREE) and show your support.

9 comments:

Michael Offutt, Phantom Reader said...

Nice meeting you, Andrea. Your book sounds very interesting. I like superhero type books, and fantasy is right up my alley. I like to read it, but don't write it much (unless you count science-fictiony type stories as fantasy).

1) Congratulations on your book. The cover is fantastic.

2) Another congrats for being a woman who plays online roleplaying games. I wish there were more of you. In World of Warcraft, it was pretty much male dominated. My friend Tomeka was the only "girl" basically in the guild who raided. But girls bring a different mindset to the game. It's something I can't explain. They are definitely just as competitive, but they can see things in a fight that men are unable to see. I like balance and diversity.

3) I think I would be most like Kaidyla. I love your names by the way. They are quite original.

I will most likely be picking your book up to peruse after I clear away some projects that have been piling up.

stephen Hayes said...

It's always great meeting authors. Andrea is interesting and informative. PT is fortunate to have snagged her as a guest blogger.

Rusty Carl said...

It does sound like an interesting book.

PT - sorry about the no show on the panel. I hope it went well.

Golden Eagle said...

I love it when characters get up and insist on being written about. Though it does come with its frustrations!

I'm probably closest to Kaidyla--though I'm shy, like Halli, sometimes.

Unknown said...

Hi Michael,

Thanks so much!

Yes, I enjoyed playing WoW too. Raiding was not my favorite, but it was fun being with the group and trying new ways to kill the bad guys ;)

Kaidyla is definitely a good choice. She's very independent, and stands her ground once her mind is made up on things.

I hope you enjoy the book! Take care.

Andi

Unknown said...

Thank you Stephen!

Unknown said...

Thank you Rusty!

Unknown said...

Yes, it defnitely makes the writing process easier when they start to take over ;)

Kaidyla and Halli are a great mix!

Torggil said...

I'm actually doing much the same thing. Eddard's Diary is a game-by-game accout of a D&D campaign. I'm doing it from the perspective of my character, a human inquisitor paladin of Mystra. It's early days, but I'm learning more about the character by doing this than I would by straight out playing him.

If there was a grumpy bastard with a heart of gold, I'd fit that. I don't know if any fit the bill, though Kaidyla might come close.

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