Book Update and Characters
My agent is a brilliant guy. He is the one who had me start my blog, and it has been much fun. He said it would be good practice, and also I would learn a lot from my readers.
It turned out better than that. As I finish up my rough draft and first revision, (due in three months) my readers have morphed my story.
One thing that came out of the blog as the book evolved were some new characters. Some of the early contributors to the blog ended up as players in the story. (It is possible a publisher could ditch some of them in revisions, though.) So, y’all speak now or forever hold your peace. If you don’t want to inspire a book character let me know before it is too late.
If this book is successful, I have two sequels planned and in development. (My definition of success: Artistic satisfaction and enough $$ that my agent’s 15% warrants him putting up with me for a second one.) So, even if it is too late for book one, you could still show up in a sequel.
By the way, these contributors inspired certain character traits. I promise not to directly use your work- I’m against a writer who plagiarizes as much as I would be against a Doctor who cheats.
So, y’all let me know if you want (or don’t want ) to show up in a Tommy Bibey novel someday. Either way, I appreciate every comment on the blog. Y’all are a smart crowd. As I go on my writer journey, every one of you have been a blessing.
Dr. B
Explore posts in the same categories: book preview
Dr. Tom Bibey: Stories of the Bluegrass Music Road 
July 26, 2008 at 3:06 pm
What a charge to be able to point to a character in a book and think that maybe you help to infuence their creation! I have a writer friend, John Miller, who writes very good suspense fiction. He often uses names or character traits from his family and friends to create and enhance his characters. I was aware that it happened. Most characters have a “bit” of truth to them.
July 27, 2008 at 10:29 am
As long as I’m in enough of a disguise, I’d be fine with it. Of course, I’m so boring, I doubt I’d be a main character. I’d be happy with being an extra. Maybe you could put me in the audience at a bluegrass show. 🙂
July 27, 2008 at 7:55 pm
Ms. Cindy,
Your blog has become one of my favorites. Anyone with a name like Cindy has to have some bluegrass in ’em. Right now there is not a dog in the story, but outside of my mutts the name Ranger would have to be at the top of the list.
Dr. B
July 27, 2008 at 7:58 pm
Ms. Pande,
Boring? I don’t think so. In bluegrass female fiddlers all generate some degree of pandemonium. Hm. Maybe an Icelandic Eskimo girl fiddler?
Dr. B
July 28, 2008 at 8:25 am
Oh, but wouldn’t your fingers be cold fiddling in the cold? Maybe I can do it in one of their natural hot springs. Humidity is good for a fiddle, I hear… 🙂
July 28, 2008 at 8:31 am
Ms. Pande,
Well I don’t know. One time I met the Kruger brothers. They are from Switzerland. I asked them how they learned all that American bluegrass. (they are fantastic players) They said it snowed so much all they did was stay inside and pick music.
Dr. B
July 28, 2008 at 3:16 pm
I dunno if that’d be me or not. But, just in case, you have my permission to make me an evil stool roller (of DOOM!) if ya want to. Just point me to where I’m mentioned if it makes the cut.
July 28, 2008 at 3:34 pm
Ms. Kat,
Good to hear from you. Some of the bloggers might yield character names, and almost all have inspired me as the revision process goes on. When you guys comment, it triggers my imagination and I think of ways to give my characters more depth.
I think about 3/4 of my readers are very serious writers. It can be a bit intimidating, and is much like playing the mandolin for professional musicians.
Dr. B
July 28, 2008 at 3:51 pm
I would be both honored and quite worried about what you would write about me, if you chose to do so. Its hard to imagine just how you would… lol Im not even sure I could!
I will be one of the first ppls to buy your book! I know it will be such a delight.
July 28, 2008 at 4:35 pm
Ms. Amber,
Every time a character proceeds with grace and dignity in the face of adversity, you will know Ms. Amber inspired part of their development.
Dr. B
July 28, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Once when I was a beginner writer, I penned a story with my dad in it. I described him right down to the nub that used to be his ring finger on his right hand–except I put it on his left.
I sent the story to both my dad and my sister (#4) to read. #4 recognized him immediately, but Dad didn’t see a bit of himself–evem after #4 pointed it out for him.
So no worries, Dr. T. Even if you use some of your reader/commenters for characters, it’s doubtful they’ll recognize what you’ve done.
Very few people see themselves as others do.
That said, if you use something from what you know of me, I’d like you to use my name. And be sure to spell it right. 😉
Susan
July 28, 2008 at 6:49 pm
Ms Susan,
You got it made kid, ’cause you were an early reader, and besides that if one of my stories calls for a writer of romantic fiction I don’t know many of them. So if I need to inject a romance writer, I don’t see how they could not be named Susan.
Well let’s see now- for a while I had that girl that ‘rassled alligators and wrote romance novels down in the Bayou country- she was very cool, too.
Dr. B
July 29, 2008 at 7:51 am
‘Rassled alligators? LOL! That would scare me to death–but I’d love for people to think I could.
~S~
July 29, 2008 at 8:12 am
Honest to goodness, Ms. Susan. The young lady e-mailed me and said she liked to write romance novels and rassle alligators. I’ll look back through my files and dig up her name and blog.
Dr. B