My A-Z autobiography …Three Four Knock On My Door
Yes, okay, it’s another plug. What, 1800 bloggers involved in this challenge and I’m not going to mention my latest book (released 1st April 2013) in my autobiographical challenge? I’ll have you know I have lived, breathed, eaten and drunk with these characters for months, they are a fixed part of my life and will be for ever.
In fact I hate them just a little too. I need some space. I write whodunits and sometimes there’s a fleeting temptation to murder the lot and let the reader solve the crime. Agatha Christie did that in “And Then There Were None” and I’m sure she found it extremely satisfying.
Do you find yourself getting annoyed with your characters? It’s the oddest feeling. We invented them, they should do what they’re told instead of dragging their feet, or being stubborn lifeless cut-outs. I notice it now in other books as well when I’m reading, that wonderful moment when the character stops being a cut-out leaning against the scenery. They move, they stir, they seem to feel the rush of life along their keel – and I’m probably misquoting, I did a quick search but can’t remember the poet, my apologies.
Until that stirring of life happens in a stubborn character I find comfort in comedian Bill Cosby’s famous threat to his kids, I brought you into this world, I can take you out of it.
Quite Contrary 
Nice one Lynne! Longfellow’s By the Seaside, The Building of the Ship
She starts, – she moves, – she seems to feel
The thrill of life along her keel,
And, spurning with her foot the ground,
With one exulting, joyous bound,
(the character came to life)
I’ve been considering creeping up on one of mine with a carving knife for a couple of days now; characters that is, not my children. I shall try telling him he’s nothing more than a lifeless cut-out and see if that does the trick.
I think your poet was a tall chap.
Ha! Hope you scare him into some lively capering. You’re letting me down here on this poem, I expected someone to have told me – I checked Google for tall ships because that rang a bell with me too, but just got Masefield’s I must go down to the sea again. No ships springing to life. Oh well, someone someday will know. Or I’ll remember at 3 a.m.
The clue was there! Tall guy = Longfellow Poem is something like Building the ship
x
Five Six is plotted but the characters are sitting round like puddings *deep sigh* used to be that working out the murder was the tricky part …
ha ha! re Bill Cosby’s warning to his kids! I’ll remember that! Great post Elizabeth – and I’ll remember your next one, Three Four Knock on My Door. Not just remember – how is Five Six going? What a great series! (still to upload One Two, Buckle my Shoe – can’t wait! as soon as this A-Z is over).
Susan Scott’s Soul Stuff
I think you SHOULD plug it. Here from the A-Z links.