Today’s post comes from a writer I met online. We discovered we share a release date and are counting down to blast-off together. My book, The Pursuit of Lucy Banning, and Beth K. Vogt’s Wish You Were Here release May 1. I’ve talked about Lucy Banning in other posts. Beth is here to share with us her character, Allison Denman.
I first met Allison Denman, heroine of my debut novel Wish You Were Here, as she walked down a church aisle dressed in her never-should-have-said-yes wedding gown. Because I’d written the scene, I knew what Allison was thinking as she approached her groom:
I do.
I can’t.
I must.
The looming question? Would Allison say “I do” and become Seth Rayner’s wife? Reality: If that happened, then I was writing a short story, not a novel.
An even more important question needed to be answered: How did Allison get to this pivotal moment of indecision? The wedding was the first scene I wrote for Wish You Were Here. I had to develop my story both backward and forward—determining what propelled Allison’s doubts, as well as everything that happened once she reached the front of the church. In other words, the rest of the book.
One of the components every novel must have is a character arc—meaning characters must change from the beginning of the story to the end. And discovering who Allison was on page 1 and who she became by the time I wrote “The End” was a favorite part of writing Wish You Were Here.
Allison thinks she wants one thing when you first meet her. By the end of the book she is able to admit she wants something entirely different. How does she manage this transformation? While Allison is a fictional woman—a figment of my imagination, if you will—she changed the same way you and I do: She confronted hurts from her past. She was honest about who she was, rather than trying to be who she thought she needed to be. And she embraced risk.
There is more to happily ever after than fairy tales ever tell us. As readers follow Allison’s story, they’ll be drawn into her wrestlings with the realities of love, mistakes, choices and forgiveness. Ultimately, Allison accepts who she is and what she wants—even as she admits that doesn’t always make life easier or simpler.
Loved this look at Allison 🙂 Can’t wait to read both your books, gals. Thanks for sharing xo
I’m looking forward to meeting both Allison and Lucy in your books, Beth and Olivia.
I had fun putting together this first glimpse of Allison. I learned quite a lot from her.
🙂
Beth, thanks for sharing. I don’t how you fiction writers do it! Just make up people and make them seem real. Amazing. Congrats on your success. So glad you know Olivia, as she’s one of the best people on the planet. Heather
Being a Deb with Olivia is one of the unexpected blessings of this journey to publication, Heather. And, even better — we live in the same state!
Yay, can’t wait to get to know Allison even better when your book comes out, Beth!
Thanks, Melissa! You’ve been hearing about her story forever, I know.:)
I can’t wait to read the rest of Allison’s story! Great insights on how you discovered her journey.
Discovering her story happened the same way I’ve unraveled my own.
😉
Aw, shucks, Heather, thanks. Right backatcha.
So glad people are eager to read Beth’s story!
Love the cover of Beth’s book, love Beth as a person and writer, and the sneak peek is great! Thank you for this post. Truly, it is one of the most highly-anticipated books of the year for me. I’ve already preordered it and encourage everyone to do the same. It’s sure to be a page-turner. Olivia, I’ll have to check yours out, as well, and thankful for the introduction to you and your upcoming book. Congratulations to you both! Many blessings as you write for His glory.
JoAnn — everyone should have a JoAnn in their lives. Truly.
Thanks for letting us meet Allison! Can’t wait to read the rest of the story.
Thanks for stopping by, Donna.
I’ve pre-ordered Wish You Were Here and can hardly wait. I also love the post card teasers you’ve included at vital points–they add so much interest and tell more of your great story. Keep it up–we want and need more books.
The post cards were an early, early addition to my book — and they were never optional.
I can’t wait to get my hands on these books. Congratulations, ladies!
Roxanne — you know how vital you were to this writing journey. You and Allison should feel like best friends.
🙂
Beth, Pat Trainum told me about your book yesterday when I called asking for her help in brainstorming my next novel. My favorite part of your interview was in the bio section: about those “Never!” doors! Congrats on your book!
Thanks for stopping by, Johnnie.
And you know, the “Never” part of my life has become my favorite part too.
Thanks to all who stopped by! If you’re new to my blog, I look forward to hearing from you again. If you’re new to Beth, keep watch!
I have been waiting for a long time to get my hands on Wish You Were Here. I’m a firm believer in Pre-ordering. That way you never miss a release date. Especially with my absentminded brain 😉
Olivia, I’ve just discovered your blog through a tweet. I’ll definitely visit again.
Beth, your book sounds enthralling, can’t wait to get hold of a copy to read.
I can’t wait for May 1st!!