Have you ever been so involved in a book that the protagonist becomes someone you know? You start talking to other readers about the protagonist and how he/she did this or how they would do this. Perhaps, you have gotten really deep into the Robert Langdon series by Dan Brown. You know everything about Robert Langdon. You know he is deathly afraid of enclosed places. He has very powerful friends in high places, but there is still one place that he can't manage to be accepted to help his research; with the exception of when they need him the most, The Vatican. He's a heartthrob college professor that catches the ladies looking, but stays distant enough to keep his elegant bachelor. All while he gets close enough for you to not question his sexuality. Robert Langdon has become a very well known name to many people around the world, especially those of us in the craft. Like I said... He has friends in very high places...
If I painted a pretty good picture of Robert Langdon, that is because I have read all of Dan Brown's books. I know how he writes, I admire his technique. That is with all his Robert Langdon books... His "Deception Point" was absolutely terrible in my personal opinion. The fact is, Robert Langdon is a character people relate with. They can see him in their mind's eye (No, Tom Hanks is not the person I envisioned when I started Da Vinci Code, close but no cigar) as their long lost friend or somebody they know from down the street.
I am proud to make it known that I have had that moment tonight while talking to, the ever so beautiful, Emily . I was talking to the lovely Emily like I do most nights after I get off shift. We were talking about one of the books I am writing.
Yes, I said ONE of the books.. Plural. I am writing a number of different books, all with different plots, characters, ideas; everything. I have even changed up the style of my prose for these books and the topics that I normally write about. The particular book we were talking about she and I were talking about the characters as if they actually existed. She and I relate to the characters. I find it profound that I have been able to make my characters relate-able and feel very proud of my work thus far. I still have a long way to go in the writing part but I hope soon I will finish the book and can start the editing process.
I will keep you updated with how I am doing towards this book and let you all know when I am ready to send it to a publisher. To all my readers that already have written their own books and have been published, I am always looking for advice. So please, keep me in mind and let me know how you have reached your success.
Fraternally,
AG
