Fresh Fiction Blog | The Secret Life of Lecia Cornwall

Have you ever seen the wonderful Danny Kaye movie, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty? Danny plays a man with a very ordinary life. Actually, it's a very dull life. To cope with the endless drudgery, Walter simply imagines adventures, and they often intrude in his everyday life at the worst moments. In his imagination, he's a gifted surgeon, or a combat pilot flying off into heroic danger. Of course, his family and friends just think he's odd, nervous and distracted. But then Walter gets involved in a real adventure, and his life changes. He becomes the hero he imagines he is. It's one of my favorite movies, partly because as a writer, I do tend to live my own imaginary life, a lot like Walter does. Well, I've never imagined myself as a pilot, but here's what I mean.

My first secret: I never go to the bathroom alone, not even now my children are grown, or even when my nosy cats are distracted. There are a thousand characters in my head, all telling stories, and clamoring for me to write ‘em down, even in delicate moments. (No, there is no schizophrenia in my family. Why do you ask? Isn't this normal?) Take a break? They just won't allow it—their stories are everywhere—picture the airport boarding lounge. Don't you wonder who your fellow travelers are and why they're making this trip? There's a story there...

Yes, it's true, dear readers—I spend my days taking tea with duchesses, and living out the adventures of my intrepid heroines and handsome heroes. It's like a movie playing in my head, spooling out onto the page—according to a carefully planned plot, of course. The best part is that my characters never quite do exactly as planned. They add a few unexpected surprises of their own now and then, exert their will on their own stories. And that's the second secret and the very best part of being a writer.

Does my family think I'd odd, nervous and distracted? Yup. After hours of writing, and living in that other world, I look up from the page—er, computer screen—and I can scarcely believe I haven't left my office, and it's time to make dinner, or walk the dog, or do the laundry. My poor dog, by the way, has developed a few coping strategies to make sure I'm paying attention to him and not writing books in my head when we're out walking. That's his time, you see, and he guards it like a steak bone. We walk by the Bow River, off-leash, with his ball. Every now and then he hides the ball behind a clump of grass or behind a rock, and stands in the middle of the path expectantly, daring me to find it. It brings me back to this world, to someone even more important than the hero of my latest story. Can everyone read the glazed look in my eyes so easily, and know what I'm thinking? My cats climb onto the desk, get between the computer and me and stare deep into my eyes until I snap out of it. My family has gotten used to saying everything twice.

Even in my secret life as a writer, I swear I never put people I don't like in my books—or people I do like either, which is much more important. I must admit my daughter usually hates my heroes, and how they torment the poor heroines—at least until the last page. The Secret Life of Lady Julia was torture for my daughter, since it features a love triangle, and she was rooting for the man who didn't win the hand of the heroine. She insisted he needed his own story, and I have to let him win this time. Never fear—his is indeed the next story. I'm writing it now, as we speak, but before he finds true love, I intend to put him through all the torments of love, and life, and pull out every one of his secrets. Don't worry—if the going is tough and suspenseful, I have planned a happy ending for dear Stephen Ives. He really is a charmer! I'm sure he'll offer a few surprises to me—and you, dear reader—along the way.

I'm sure you're wondering if I have any other deep secrets. Here goes: I love The Walking Dead as much as Downton Abbey. Not deep enough? I've always wanted to try sky diving, and given that I am the world's biggest chicken, I have no idea why. As I child, I dreamed of being a National Geographic photojournalist, or an archaeologist. Am I disappointed in my career choice? Not at all. My stories help me live a thousand different lives. And the best secret of all? I honestly believe in magic, true love, and happy endings, which is the whole reason why I write romance.

So what's your secret life? For a chance to win a signed copy of THE SECRET LIFE OF LADY JULIA, dish—tell me one of your favorite secrets, real or imaginary! (US / Canada addresses only)

I love hearing from readers! Drop me a line on e-mail, or leave a note on my Facebook page

Comments

I always wanted to be a nurse. I fulfilled that by becoming
"Doctor Mom", haha!
Your book sounds very interesting. Thanks for the chance to
win.
(Mary Hay 8:51am May 26, 2013)

Besides being an Author, I would love to be an archaeologist, because I have the patience for it, and I love to uncover things. I can spend hours on the beach, looking for shells and tiny rocks. I would also like to go into some field of medicine, since it's always fascinated me. Your book has peaked my interest, and I'm looking forward to reading it. The cover is stunning!!
(Peggy Roberson 8:55am May 26, 2013)

i wanted to do alot of different things i wanted to be a LPN
also i wanted to work in the music bussiness i did sing for a
while when i was younger for different things like the radio
and community activities, the book looks really good i cant
wait to read it
(Denise Smith 9:25am May 26, 2013)

I think I dream about being an author quite a bit. :) No time in real life to write though!
(May Pau 9:31am May 26, 2013)

A life filled with adventures, happiness and joy is important
to me and one that is productive and fulfilling.
(Sharon Berger 9:50am May 26, 2013)

I always wanted to be a politician---but since I'm shy that's not really an alternative for me.
(Sue Farrell 11:02am May 26, 2013)

I have a dream of being published some day. This is a secret I have kept from the family for years. That is until my kids found my writing materials and journals. Now, my youngest son proudly announces that his mommy knows what she wants to be when she grows up!
(Sandy Kenny 11:26am May 26, 2013)

I've always wanted to be an actress. When I was younger I would pretend to act out
scenes of a story I create in my head. I would play all the characters myself and even
dressing up for the parts.
(Lazydrag0n Puff 11:50am May 26, 2013)

I tell my DH that I live in multiple dimensions and have amazing adventures in each - at the risk of sounding crazy, but I think I dive into my imagination, whether it is in Kings Landing, Rivendell - I indulge in the fantasy of leisurely travel, exploration.. of course in that world there is no calories in sweet food.
I have had a "secret life" of being an actress, a writer, working for MI6 - but in many ways I am - when my teen makes me want to laugh when I should be disciplining, when I tell my step grandkids stories, and when I feel like going to the post office is an adventure.
(Carla Carlson 12:41pm May 26, 2013)

I wanted to be a dancer... wish I had taken some lessons when I was younger... love the beauty of movement.
(Colleen Conklin 1:21pm May 26, 2013)

That I'm really a famous writer pretending to be a housewife.
That one's going to happen any minute, yeap just any minute.
(Theresa Norris 1:47pm May 26, 2013)

Oil paintings fascinate me. I would like to be able to paint beautiful outdoor scenes. Also, I would love to win this book.
(Anna Speed 2:16pm May 26, 2013)

What wonderful goals you all have—I say goals, not dreams, because anything is
possible! I could never have become a writer when my kids were small—my first
book was published at age 49, when my oldest was finishing his first year in
university. I'd love to paint too, but I'm just good enough at it to know I'm not
good enough. Same with interior design, and I'd love to sing—I'm planning on
joining a community choir this fall. Never, ever give up!
(Lecia Cornwall 3:04pm May 26, 2013)

My secret life is that I'm working for the government either in FBI or CIA and that I can learn a language very well. Twice I have been approached by the FBI and DEA when I was working for the police department. I basically turned it down because I can't learn European language easily and that I will be booted out since their training is just hard-cored. I have never been physically coordinated in my life and at most I'm mediocre. It would be nice if I could do at least one those two things.
(Kai Wong 3:37pm May 26, 2013)

My secret life is fulfilled every tine I read a book full of adventure and romance. My life is not dull but I would never dream of doing some of the things the heroines do.
(Kathleen Yohanna 6:02pm May 26, 2013)

My secret life is I have a skin condition called H.S. that no one knows about, other than my close friends and family.
(Aimee Robison 6:19pm May 26, 2013)

Yes, my secret is to get into real estate investing and
become super rich and always helping others along the way
and also to become a famous book author helping others
through my books and adventures too. Thank You for the
fantastic contest and I would love to read and win your
great book too. Thanks, Cecilia CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 6:36pm May 26, 2013)

I often wish I had become a Veterinarian or a Lawyer instead of a Secretary. I have dreamed of becoming a writer for many years now also.
(Cathy Phillips 7:07pm May 26, 2013)

Your book looks amazing and exactly the kind of book I love to read!
(Molly Wilsbacher 7:21pm May 26, 2013)

I agree with Molly - your book sounds wonderful!
One of my secrets is I've done it in a few odd places... :)
(MaryAnne Banks 7:46pm May 26, 2013)

I have always wanted to be a woman with a strong, out-spoken personalty. Like the roles played by Bea Authur or Vicke Lawerence in Mama's Family. Book sounds great.
(Sheila True 8:09pm May 26, 2013)

More wonderful goals! One small step toward the future can change the world!
(Lecia Cornwall 8:16pm May 26, 2013)

I live my secret life thru the books I read or the movies I
watch - Danny Kay was a favorite and this book looks like it
would be too.
(Diane Sallans 8:48pm May 26, 2013)

would love to win-my secert life is to live on a huge ranch!
(Jackie Morris 8:51pm May 26, 2013)

Always wonted to be a nurse. Book sounds interesting. Would love to win.
(Amy Milne 9:20pm May 26, 2013)

I would have loved to have been a historian and travel the
world doing research.
(Michelle Whitwam 9:56pm May 26, 2013)

I always dreamed of being a space explorer!
(Janie McGaugh 11:29pm May 26, 2013)

My secret life would being able to go back a few centuries into the gothic ages and living a life there for a time.
(Darci Paice 2:14am May 27, 2013)

I've read the James Thurber story on which the film was based.
Secret life - I'd love to go back to being a kid and start from there, with the advantages of what I know now and some modern aids like computers.
(Clare O'Beara 7:29am May 27, 2013)

I love the cover...to be very truthful when I was a senior in high school I wanted to be a Mommy. no I did not have a child until 5 years later but that is what I wanted. A home of my own and children. I know have 6 children and 14 grandchildren and love every minute of it. I'm a heck of a baker too!!!
(Bonnie Capuano 10:28am May 27, 2013)

I always dreamed of being a surgeon and helping people feel better.
(Dwight Younger 3:38pm May 27, 2013)

I had two children, I wish I would have had more. Family means everything to me.
I love the cover of the book, it's stunning.
(Rita Wray 4:20pm May 27, 2013)

I have sky dived. When they say it's better than sex... they lie. As for my secret- when I do the fan fiction thing in my mind, I'm frequently the hero, not the heroine.
(Lynda Smith 6:17pm May 27, 2013)

Danny Kaye was a great Walter Mitty! I do have a secret
fantasy life...but if I told you, I'd have to kill you (only
kidding).
(Catherine Lee 7:44pm May 27, 2013)

I have lots of things i like to do. Find a hot guy on some island and just .....well you know.
(Lisa Fitzgibbons 7:52pm May 27, 2013)

I wish I could write a book but it's just not in me. I have always thought I would like to be an architect or a physical therapist. At the end of the day I like my life and I have want I really want right now.
(Jennifer Beyer 9:33pm May 27, 2013)

I have a similar problem...except from the opposite side of
the page. I get lost reading. My cat likes to bat at my book
to make sure I'm paying attention to him. He will knock it
out of my hand if he must. :-D
(Karin Anderson 9:44pm May 27, 2013)

Since I love to read, I wish I were an author of historical or paranormal romance.
(Bonnie H 10:53am May 29, 2013)

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