Hellooooo, Coffee Time Romance and More blog readers! I’m tickled to be with you today, and I hope you’ll explore the amazing Coffee Time Romance and More website!
I’m Nancy Haddock and I write light paranormal mystery-romance. The heroine is a part day-walking, surfing, ghost tour guide vampire named Francesca “Cesca†Marinelli.
The thing is, I never intended to write a vampire book. Not because I have a thing against vampires. Nope, I love ‘em. Werecreatures, dragons, ghosts, faeries, elves. You name the “species,†I read the books. But that was the whole point. So many marvelous authors were already writing books to feed my vampire cravings, I didn’t feel the pull to write them myself. In fact, I was working on a cozy mystery series when the vampire bug bit.
Enter a certain Jif peanut butter commercial, a misheard line, and everything changed. Try as I might, I could no longer focus on my mystery when I sat at the keyboard. A new character stood squarely front and center in my imagination demanding my attention. Finally, I bowed to the inevitable and, after months of mulling, character developing, and world building, I sat at the keyboard ready to type the first words of the new novel. Exciting, yes. Easy? No so much. However, after numerous revisions, more research hours, and mega time at the computer, and the first full draft of LA VIDA VAMPIRE rolled off my printer.
I love reading fun secondary characters, but I’d never had quite such a blast creating my own as I’ve had writing my “oldest city†vampire books. Shalimar Millie shone for me in the first book, and Jo-Jo the Jester quickly took on an afterlife of his own in LAST VAMPIRE STANDING. In my newest release, ALWAYS THE VAMPIRE, the senior citizen vampires became fast fictional friends. Then there’s Pandora, the feline that shape shifts between the forms of a Florida panther and a large house cat.
The biggest surprise secondary character, though, became the city of St. Augustine itself. Yes, I love this town, and feature it in other stories, but I get to show so much more of the history, the sites, and even the ghosts through Cesca’s eyes. Some of her favorite places (and mine, too!) are the City Gates, St. George Street, the bay front, and the newly refurbished Bridge of Lions. Then there’s the Plaza, the Castillo de San Marcos, Lightner Museum, Flagler College, the lighthouse, and of course, the beaches!
So tell me, who are your favorite characters – primary or secondary? Don’t have a favorite character, but want to ask a question instead? Ask away! There’s a copy of ALWAYS THE VAMPIRE up for grabs for one of my commenters!
0 COMMENTS
Diana Cosby
13 years agoHi Nancy,
Huge Cesca fan here! I was sooo thrilled for the release of Always The Vampire! Yes, I’ve already bought my copy and it’s next on my TBR pile, so please don’t enter me in the drawing as another reader needs to ‘discover’ what an amazing writer you are and become hooked! ^5
In answer to your question, I love the main characters, but always am intrigued by the secondary characters, which serves a writer well in that, you have the follow-on story.
Thank you for crafting such fun as interesting stories. That’s right, I shamelessly admit I’m a fan! *Hugs*
Love,
Diana
tamra andis
13 years agoOh, my. How do I choose a favorite from my friends? Seriously I was planning a trip to florida to take Cesca’s ghost tour! Ok, maybe not. But I love the story, the snarking, the characters. I love that Cesca has a blood aversion. Quirky details like that just make it so real. And Maggie…live Maggie! Thank you for your unintentional writing if this story!!
gypsywitch36@yahoo.com
13 years agoAre you still writing the mystery series ?
Nancy Haddock
13 years agoHi Diana! Thanks so much for stopping, and for the kind compliments! You’re so right that secondary characters serve writers. If not for spinoff stories, they’re just plain fun.
Keep writing your incredible Highland historicals. I adore them!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
13 years agoTamra, hi! How nice of you to stop by the blog! I’m tickled you get a kick out the of quirky details in my work. Cesca and the gang do keep me hopping!
If you get to St. Augustine, let me know. If not a ghost tour, maybe we can meet for coffee!
Light,
Nancy Haddock
13 years agoHi Gypsywitch36! Thanks so much for stopping by Coffee Thoughts!
Yes, I’m still working on the mystery series. It’s not published yet, and I may go the e-publishing route with it. Time will tell.
Thank you for your question, and have a wonderful week!
Light,
Neringa
13 years agosecondary characters re my favorite… if written well I find that they are the spice that gives the main character its power and glory, its bounce and personality. I also find that the secondary character is usually closer in personality to the author… go Nancy! And I love St. Augustine’s been there twice and plan on going again…
Neringa
Nancy Haddock
13 years agoNeringa, thank you so much for taking the time to stop by when I know you’re soon leaving for RWA in NYC. I never thought about a secondary character being closer to the author’s personality. What an insight!
Next time you’re in town, I hope we can get together!
Light,
Nancy
Ester Lopez
13 years agoNancy,
I love the fact that your vampires reside in Florida! I’m a Native of Florida, so I love reading anything about my home state. Thanks for bringing St. Augustine to life for us through your stories.
Nancy Haddock
13 years agoHi, Ester! Thank you so much for stopping by Coffee thoughts!
I didn’t realize you were a native Floridian. Very cool! If you’re get back this way, let me know!
Again, thanks for visiting and commenting. It’s great to “see” you!
Light,
Nancy