Monday, June 2, 2014

Meet My Main Character, Blog Hop!

I’ve been tagged by the fabulously funny Chicklit Sisters, Pam Burk and Lorraine Campbell, authors of several quirky novels that are loaded with hilarious and tender moments. I thoroughly appreciated How To Survive Your Sisters (being one of three girls in my family). Be sure to read this book and their other novels, penned under the name Ellie Campbell.

What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?

The main character of my work-in-progress is named Kathleen Ehlers, and though she is fictional, she is larger than life. She sprang to life in my first novel, one of five friends in a very close sisterly relationship.

Reappearing from Charlotte’s Restrained are Charlotte, Tiziana, Hillary, Marian, Liam, Ted, and the King of Romantic Comedies, Des Bannerman. Adding to the witty and sometimes vitriolic banter is Sébastien Langevin, who takes Kathleen’s ordered life and flips it upside down.

When and where is the story set?

I love to travel, and so do the characters in my books. This book primarily takes place in Paris, France, during Fall Fashion Week, 2008. However, we’ll take jaunts to London, Rome, Saint Tropez, and Seattle where we’ll explore Kathleen’s inner-workings at some of the finest restaurants and establishments these beautiful cities have to offer.

What should we know about him/her?

Kathleen is an elusive character in my first novel Charlotte’s Restrained.

After I finished writing the book I found myself wondering about her. Why does she flitters here and there in the background? We feel like we get to know her, but really, we don’t. I wanted to explore this further, and decided to write a sequel, casting her as the central character.

What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?

We learn straight away that Kathleen is a very artistic person (her current outlet is in remodeling apartments across Paris) but works in a world of facts and figures as a Product Acquisition Lawyer for L’Oreal Paris.

She’s done a great job at having it all; professional success, financial security, a glamorous life amongst the who’s-who in Paris. She’s brutally independent and content with living life on her own terms, and there lies the crux of the story. Why is she so determined to fly life solo?

What is the personal goal of the character?

Kathleen would tell you her goal is to take Paris on, one apartment at a time, one acquisition at a time. To be a real estate mogul and break the glass ceiling at L’Oreal Paris.

However, in witnessing the major changes in the lives of her four closes friends, she begins to consider letting go of the past and living in the present. But to do this will mean bringing all of her friends that we’ve met in Charlotte’s Restrained, up to speed on who she really is versus who they think she is.

Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?

Kathleen’s Undressed. I really like two word titles.

When can we expect the book to be published?

Fingers crossed, Fall 2014.


If you’re enjoying the ‘Meet My Main Character’ blog hop, I’ve tagged to follow me the very talented Daphne DuBois, author of Fairies and Creatures of the Night (2013) and The Seller of Fortunes (2013). Also meet Laurie WJN, author of The Misadventures of Me and My Uterus (2013) and a YA novel (yet to be named) about Anna, and the Spanish Flu Epidemic of 1918. And, we have the talented Glynis Astie, author of French Twist (2013) and French Toast (2014).

Thanks for reading!