Fresh Fiction Blog | Shea Berkley

I was talking to my critique partner the other day, discussing my characters (I was having a crisis or more to the point, my character was), and when I paused, she said, "You know they aren't real, right?"

"Who aren't?" I asked.

"Your characters."

I hyperventilated.

Was she kidding? No, she wasn't.

I live a very strange life. I interact with people who really don't exist, not in our tangible world, but I have to believe they exist in order to create a believable story. Yeah, wrap your brain around that one. So yes, I know they don't exist in flesh and blood, but they do exist, are real in my head. They have to be. Their worries and loves and troubles and triumphs have to matter to me. I have to want the best and the worst for them otherwise they'll exist in a boring, staid story that I, let alone anyone else, won't want to experience.

That is the entertainer in me talking. It's this little voice in the back of my brain that giggles when I come up with a sick idea that will cause my characters no end of torture. It sighs with pleasure every time my characters finally get what they want.

In my debut novel, THE MARKED SON, my main character, Dylan, has serious issues he's dealing with. A messed up mom, being dumped at his grandparents' house, no friends, a haunted forest...

Here's a quick excerpt:

THE MARKED SON by Shea Berkley

I was eight the first time I saw the girl.

Mom freaked when I told her, said I was letting a girl terrorize my dreams, but I didn't get it. They were dreams, not nightmares. I don't remember ever waking up afraid. Not back then. So when the dreams kept coming, year after year, each one more vivid than the last, I held onto them like a skydiver clutching his ripcord. No way would I let Mom take them away from me.

It's been years since she's asked me about the girl, but lately Mom's been curious. I tell her I haven't had a dream in awhile. She eyes me like I'm lying.

So what if I am? I may not remember everything about my dreams when I wake up, but I do know when I'm about to have one. My scalp tingles, like tiny bugs zap, zap, zapping along my skin. The darkness behind my lids turns smoky. I've tried to pull away at that point but it's no use. I don't fight it now. Instead I sink into the thick air and come out the other side into a world that is nothing like the one I know...

Yet, it's familiar.

Tonight, the smoke fades, and the girl appears in a thin, white gown. I'm lying in a meadow surrounded by deep woods, one hand tucked behind my head—shirtless and shoeless and wearing a pair of old, ratty jeans. I can hear the TV I left on fading in the distance until the sound of the meadow fills the air.

She's suddenly beside me, beautiful beyond words, her long, dark hair spilling over her shoulder as she bends to touch my hand. Her cool fingers rest more like mist than flesh in my palm. The rough corset she's wearing cinches the fabric snug to her hips. She's got a definite Victorian vibe going, but it suits her. I'd be lying if I said I didn't like it.

Her violet eyes darken, revealing the silent plea that carries a hint of desperation, and she tugs, urging me to get to my feet. She wants me to run, to escape. In the last two weeks, we've tried, running so long and so hard that we're sure we'll never find our way home again. We'll be lost together forever. It's what she wants. It's what I need. But it always fails. We eventually wind up back at the meadow.

Tonight, I'm content to pull her down beside me, lie in the soft grass, and stare at the sky. Our fingers intertwine, our shoulders touch. We've both gotten older since the first time we met. There have been years when we rarely saw each other, but lately, our time together has intensified. There's a feeling of impending doom that wasn't there when we were younger, as if this perfect place of dreams is about to shatter, and we'll never see each other again.

There's so much I want to know. Why do I only dream about her when I need her most? Am I insane? I don't ask. I'm afraid to. I want her to be real, just a few months more, maybe a year. Then I'll grow up and cut this strange, imaginary cord. I can't lose her smile, not yet, or her lips against my cheek—one of her butterfly kisses that's gone before it's begun.

Her silence has never bothered me before. Tonight, all I want is one word.

My name.

I hope this small taste of Dylan's story intrigues readers enough to go get the book. Really, I loved creating Dylan and I want people to meet him, and cheer him on. Poor guy needs some friends on his side.

Connect with Shea: Facebook / SheaBerkley.com / Goodreads / RubySlipperedSisterhood.com

Comment to win a copy of THE MARKED SON in e-book format

Comments

Your book sounds interesting. Thanks for giving me a chance to
win it. Thank You
(Amy Milne 3:07am July 31, 2011)

This sounds very interesting. Would this be considered suitable for high school students? Is this going to come out in paperback? My sister has a bookcase overflowing with books for her students.They love this type of book.
(Kathleen Bianchi 10:17am July 31, 2011)

I got all my questions answered on Good Reads. Congratulation on a near perfect score!! It really makes me anxious to read this book.
(Kathleen Bianchi 10:23am July 31, 2011)

The story sounds great. And while I am not a writer, my favorite characters from my favorite books tend to "live" in my head as well. That is what makes them great.
(Pam Howell 10:26am July 31, 2011)

I would love to read this book, it sounds like it would be interesting, thanks for the chance.
(Colleen Jensen 10:51am July 31, 2011)

My friends and I discuss characters from books much the way our
grandmothers did their favorite soap opera stars--as if they
are people we intimately know and see each week at the grocery
store. Doesn't everyone?
(Lisa Richards 11:58am July 31, 2011)

That is so well written! I wonder though if your characters ever try to redirect
their story in your mind or your writing. Do they ever talk to you? Yes, you have
to believe they are real or perspective could be "off". I like the whole idea of this
story.
(Sandra Spilecki 12:02pm July 31, 2011)

I love how you get so emmeshed with your characters... it must be a great read, I'm looking forward to it.
(Sheila Calabretta 12:06pm July 31, 2011)

I was immediately pulled in after reading the excerpt of your book, and I definately have to get a copy of it somehow!! I can also understand how you have that one-on-one relationship with your characters, and keep them alive, and close to your heart. I would feel the same way if I were an author. Congratulations on your book. I'm sure it's going to do very well, since I've never recalled an author take a story line in this direction. I can't wait to read the entire story!!
(Peggy Roberson 12:09pm July 31, 2011)

Wow, Shea. I'm totally awed by your writing.
(Lucianne Rivers 12:10pm July 31, 2011)

Shea, I get the same question from my family -- you know they're not real, right? And like you I have to take a moment to consider this.
Your book sounds very interesting.
Cheers,
Rayka Mennen
(Rayka Mennen 12:17pm July 31, 2011)

The book sound intriguing. The excerpt got me curious about the story. OK, I want to read more of the story. The excerpt got me hook.
(Kai Wong 12:44pm July 31, 2011)

I would love to read your book, it sounds really good.
(Debbie Penny 12:51pm July 31, 2011)

Whew, Shea! Talk about hyperventilating! I was doing just that as I read
through the excerpt of your new book, The Marked Son. All I wanted was for
the rest of the book to be right there where I could finish reading it. What a
great story. I'm really looking forward to getting the book and finding out
where all of this goes. Congratulations on what promises to be an excellent
read!
Connie Fischer
[email protected]
(Connie Fischer 1:00pm July 31, 2011)

Keep up the good writing! Always be inventive!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 1:15pm July 31, 2011)

I am an avid book reader and I must tell you that your works are "AWESOME!" yours is one of those few writers with the God given talent to pull the reader into the story, not just pulling but holding the reader captive until the final page is turned. I thank God for writers such as you and I am very Thanful that you are in the profession that you are in. Thank you for what you bring to the table, because it IS worthy of reading page for anticipated page!
(Ronald Riedel 1:17pm July 31, 2011)

the cover look great and then there the idea of the book
is great and i like the way youput the info on it
(Desiree Reilly 1:21pm July 31, 2011)

Loved your excerpt, Shea! Congratualtions on the debut of THE MARKED SON!
(Tracy March 1:28pm July 31, 2011)

Loved the excerpt and you have me totally intrigued. Sounds like a wonderful read and just my kind of story!
(Jeanne Sheats 1:33pm July 31, 2011)

I'm On!! Whew, talk about stressful. I'll be popping in and out all day. Thank you all for being so enthusiastic about The Marked Son. Dylan is a great guy and Kera is really cool and I can't wait for people to get to know them.
(Shea Berkley 2:53pm July 31, 2011)

Kathleen,

Thanks for stopping by. The Marked Son is considered an Upper YA, but I have no doubt most high school kids are reading stories with far more mature themes than this one. My policy is: if in doubt, read it first and then offer it to a child you think will enjoy the content.
(Shea Berkley 2:55pm July 31, 2011)

Amy: I try really hard to write well. It ain't easy. I hope you enjoy the story.

Pam: The golden rule of writing is to make the reader fall in love with the hero/ine or want to be the hero/ine.

Colleen: Thanks for dropping by.

Lisa: I remember my sister going totally ape over General Hospital and really getting attached to the characters and what they were doing. I think it's very similar with our favorite book series. I know I enjoy talking about them to my friends.
(Shea Berkley 3:00pm July 31, 2011)

Sandra: YOu bet my characters will argue with me. I listen, take into account what they want and then weight my options and pick the one that has the most conflict.

Sheila: Thank you. I hope it's a great read!

Peggy: You're so sweet. Thank you. I try to take a familiar story and spin it in an original way.

Wilma: Thanks for stopping by!
(Shea Berkley 3:47pm July 31, 2011)

Lucianne: Thank you. I'm glad you liked the excerpt.

Rayka: Thankfully, my family humors me and they don't mention my talking to myself.

Debbie: Thanks for stopping by.

Connie: I'm glad you enjoyed what you've read so far. I can't wait for everyone to read more.

Kai: Yay! You're hooked. Whew!
(Shea Berkley 3:50pm July 31, 2011)

Marjorie: I shall endevour to invent craziness as long as I can. :)

Ronald: You're so sweet to say such nice things. I hope the rest of the book lives up to your expectations.

Desiree: Thank you.

Tracy: I'm glad you liked the excerpt!

Jeanne: Oh, I'm so glad you liked what you've read so far.

Michele: Thank you for stopping by!
(Shea Berkley 3:54pm July 31, 2011)

Wow. Very interesting sounding book. Thanks for the excerpt
(Lisa Kendall 4:06pm July 31, 2011)

How to create a character is a way of taking something from everyday living and tweaking it a bit. Partly because many people get mad if they see themselves in the book portrayed with a quality they choose to not see or believe. I think imaginination adds layers and interest.
(Alyson Widen 4:20pm July 31, 2011)

Dreams are a very intriguing topic. Very interesting excerpt. Thanks for sharing.
Good luck and happy writing!
(Tracie Travis 4:36pm July 31, 2011)

I think characters in the books I read are frozen when I stop reading or pause and it's only to save them I get back to them as soon as possible. Doesn't this work for everyone?
(Fresh Fiction 5:38pm July 31, 2011)

SOUNDS LIKE A GREAT BOOK AND I PUT IT ON MY MUST READ LIST!!!
(Jennifer Beck 6:38pm July 31, 2011)

Lisa: Thanks. I hope you enjoy reading it.

Alyson: That's a great way of looking at character.

Tracie: Thank you. And thanks for dropping by.

Fresh Fic Babe: LOL. Yeah. It's like freeze tag. Close the book, everybody freezes until you open it up again.
(Shea Berkley 6:48pm July 31, 2011)

Characters in books aren't real? No!? The thing is, a well written book comes to life and so do the characters.
(Jennifer Beyer 7:32pm July 31, 2011)

May: Thank you!

Robin: I hope everyone likes it... (bites nails)

Jennifer: I agree. If done well, the characters can become your friends and you can't help but care for them.
(Shea Berkley 9:38pm July 31, 2011)

Lisa: Amen, sister!

Patti: Thank you. I hope you enjoy it.
(Shea Berkley 12:58pm August 1, 2011)

Can't wait to read your book. I'm so excited for you and the launch of
Entangled!
(Boone Brux 10:42am August 1, 2011)

Loved the excerpt, Shea! Very intriguing. I definitely
wanted to read more. Congrats on your debut book; it's going
on my "to buy" list.
(Cate Lord 12:48pm August 1, 2011)

Boone: I can't wait for launch day either. So excited!!

Cate: Thanks, I hope you like it.

Marcelle: I can only hope I don't disappoint.
(Shea Berkley 11:20pm August 1, 2011)

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