Fresh Fiction Blog | Michael K. Reynolds | The Suffering Behind Winning An Academy Award

How bittersweet it is to launch the concluding novel in a trilogy!

SONGS OF THE SHENANDOAH, my Civil War-era historical novel, releases in just a couple of weeks and already I am experiencing conflicting emotions of exhilaration and remorse.

After launching my debut novel, Flight of the Earls, in January and In Golden Splendor during the summer, my daily interaction with these characters comes to an end with the final installment of my Heirs of Ireland Series.

It's similar to that tearful wave to your Kindergartener on their first day of school as they load up on the bus with their backpack bursting and eyes glazed with trepidation.

You're thrilled and proud they have made it to this milestone in their life, but you're saddened by the relative brevity of childhood.

Will I see these characters again? Will I ever again get to speak their words and describe in careful detail their adventures, dreams and romance?

But it goes deeper. One of my readers made this observation after reading SONGS OF THE SHENANDOAH:

One thing I noticed was that you didn't give the book just one main character. There were several. And what I realized, and that was the most amazing, is that I heard ALL their voices - their voices. I think you are the first writer I have ever read that it didn't matter that a man was writing it, because when you spoke for Clare, it was a woman who spoke. It was incredible. Just incredible.

Obviously, this is a humbling note for an author to receive, but it also provides some insight into how SONGS OF THE SHENANDOAH was written. I became all of those characters through the process. Leaving them is problematic.

Similarly, many method actors describe difficulty in saying goodbye to the characters they portray.

"Method acting" is a theatrical concept first introduced by Konstantin Stanislavski in the 19th century in which actors dive themselves emotionally and sometimes even physically into the role they play. Some of the more famous actors who used this method include: Daniel Day-Lewis, Kate Winslet, Johnny Depp, Shelley Winters, Robert De Niro and Marlon Brando.

Daniel Day-Lewis reportedly got so lost in his characterization of President Abraham Lincoln in his Oscar winning performance in Lincoln that he signed his text messages with the letter "A".

After completing their roles, many method actors share it can take them months and even years to pull themselves out of character and back into real life.

In my case, life actually imitated the art.

One of the central themes of SONGS OF THE SHENANDOAH is learning to hear the sounds of encouragement through even the worst of battles. To hear the sweet music of hope even as the world crumbles around you.

So wouldn't you know, as I was penning the novel I encountered some of the most difficult challenges in my life! Fortunately, happy endings abound. The joy of discovering hope was lived out in more than just the pages.

But the shared journey certainly brought me and my characters closer than ever.

What about you? In your writing and reading, how deeply do you get entwined in the lives of the characters? One commenter will win shortbread and a copy of SONGS OF THE SHENANDOAH.

Michael K. Reynolds's debut novel, FLIGHT OF THE EARLS, about the Great Irish Potato Famine was recently nominated for RT Book Reviews 2013 novel of the year award in the category of Inspirational Romance. IN GOLDEN SPLENDOR received similar high acclaim and SONGS OF THE SHENANDOAH was just chosen as a Top Pick. You can learn more about Michael at MichaelKReynolds.com

Flight Of The Earls
Heirs of Ireland
#1

In Golden Splendor
Heirs of Ireland
#2

Songs of Shenandoah
Heirs of Ireland
#3

Comments

Sometimes I really feel like I am living in their world for awhile!
(Diane Pollock 1:01am January 10, 2014)

It takes me half way thru before I really am into the characters. Then I think
about them all the time, wondering what will happen next, will they do this
or that, etc. When the book is finished, it is really hard to leave them . They
still have more to tell me. A book stops at a certain point where everything
is content but what will happen when ..........I also find myself thinking in the
accent of the character long after I have finished. Lol. Your books are
incredible . You have a beautiful way of not only giving them life but I can
feel them breath. Thank you and keep them coming please .
(Susie Strassburger 7:53am January 10, 2014)

When I read, I watch it take place in my mind. The
characters,The ones I like, become my friends so.yeah, I can
understand it being hard
(Vicki Hancock 7:55am January 10, 2014)

This sounds like a great book. Thank you for the chance to win. Even if I am not the lucky winner, I'll be getting your book to read. Happy New Year.
(Nancy Reynolds 9:19am January 10, 2014)

I can really get upset about a book if something bad happens.
(Theresa Norris 9:22am January 10, 2014)

Some characters stay with you for a long time (years in some
cases) and others disappear as soon as the last page of the
book is finished. I don't know what it is that makes some
characters so memorable, but maybe it is a connection with
that character's personality and traits. The book (and
series) sound very interesting!
(Marguerite Guinn 9:48am January 10, 2014)

When I read a book, I try to put myself in the place of the main character, and feel what they are going through. In the case of your book, I'll probably connect with one of the characters that I can most easily relate to, and take it from there. I might even be able to feel what they're all going through, at some point. Your book sounds like a wonderful read, and I'm truly sorry that I missed out on the other two of the trilogy!! I'll have to put them on my TBR list so that I can get caught up!! Congratulations on your last book of the series!! I'm sure you'll find a way to keep the characters alive. The cover is wonderfully done, too!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:50am January 10, 2014)

When I read I feel like I know the characters. If I really like them I'm sad to see the story end because I will miss them.
(Rita Wray 9:56am January 10, 2014)

When I read a novel which is captivating I am experiencing
what the characters are living through. This continues until
the book is over and then I am thinking about their lives for
a very long time. A memorable and unforgettable book immerses
me within the pages and never lets go.
(Sharon Berger 11:01am January 10, 2014)

I get so wrapped up in characters' lives that I actually get depressed if a a book (or movie) is sad. I try to avoid anything that ends in sadness because I become too invested in the characters. Isn't that pitiful? When reading, I want to be swept away from life, and if the writing is good, those characters become real to me, and their lives become real. I don't want bad things to happen to them. I am such a softie, I know. My husband gives me a hard time, but I know other reader and writers will understand. Creations are just that - creations - they become real.
(Michelle Willms 11:22am January 10, 2014)

Mmmm shortbread and a great book. What more could you ask for.
(Denise Austin 12:37pm January 10, 2014)

I grew up as an Air Force brat and was never able to put down roots until I married my husband. I've become invested in his family roots and am really looking forward to reading Songs of Shenandoah as that was where the first of his early relative settled back in the 17th century. I live vicariously through the characters in a book and sometimes find myself sobbing uncontrollably such that I can't see the words on a page...maybe I would be good at method acting, huh? Keep up the good works and thank you for making the characters in your books so incredibly real.
(Lynn Estep 1:29pm January 10, 2014)

Keeping my fingers crossed on this one!
(Melanie Backus 2:15pm January 10, 2014)

If the character is well defined and I can feel his pain, so to speak, I do get involved pretty much. And those are the times I hate to have the book end...sort of like saying good bye to a friend.
(Vennie Martinisi 2:46pm January 10, 2014)

When I really get into a book and it's characters, sometimes those characters stay with me for life. I often find myself comparing them with characters in new books that I start reading. I find myself thinking, I wish this new hero was more like the one who will be forever engrained in my memory. After a while, I usually learn to appreciate the new hero for his own merits.

[email protected]
(Amy Kincade 4:55pm January 10, 2014)

I usually take on the main character and live through the story vividly. If the weather is cold in the story, I'm grabbing an afghan to wrap around me and want a hot cup of coffee. That drives my husband wild, as we live in Florida. I have to admit that I have not read the first two books, but if I am lucky enough to win, I will also get the others and read them in the order that was meant to be.
(Rosemary Simm 5:34pm January 10, 2014)

Southern fiction, especially historical, is one of my favorite genres. If its set in the South, count me in to win! Thanks!
(Susan Coster 6:12pm January 10, 2014)

thank you for the chance! Who is your favorite author to read?
(Vickie Schultz 6:37pm January 10, 2014)

I have not read any of M.K. Reynolds books. However if this is
as "can't put it down" as it appears, I have something to look
forward to.
(Mildred Mayo 6:43pm January 10, 2014)

It sounds like you write great stories. I tend to get involved with some characters more than others. Hope I get to read your books.
(Carol Woodruff 7:00pm January 10, 2014)

civil War romance, just my favorite read. Really enjoyed your blog.
(Sheila True 8:12pm January 10, 2014)

I am so sad to see the end of the trilogy! I love the
Hanley's!!
(Laurie Murphy 8:23pm January 10, 2014)

you are a new author to me...another book for my TBR list!!! Sometimes it seems the characters live here....
(Barbara Studer 8:42pm January 10, 2014)

When the characters have distinguished and colorful backgrounds, I remember them so vividly. Another thing is this is one of my favorite historical era.
(Kai Wong 12:56pm January 11, 2014)

While I remember characters, while I am reading I am looking
in at their lives.
(Mary Preston 3:08am January 11, 2014)

Looks interesting. I would love to review it - I review on several sites. I just finished The Quilted Heart which is set in Civil War.
(Jane Squires 2:18pm January 11, 2014)

Your Heirs of Ireland series sounds very good. I think with any good book I'm reading, I become involved with the characters as if I'm there living it along with them, and they stay with me long after the book is finished. I look forward to reading these books, and I must say they all have very beautiful book covers!
(Linda Luinstra 4:07pm January 11, 2014)

If a book manages to draw me so far into the story that I start to "imagine" the scenes and picture the characters in my mind, then I call it a keeper and it goes on my "re-read" bookshelf. If I can empathize with or feel a sense of connection to the storyline, then I find myself wanting to know more and then I end up just hoping that it is one book in a LONG series of stories.
(Donna Holmberg 4:48pm January 11, 2014)

I love the characters and think of them even after I have long finished a
book.
(Melanie Backus 10:23pm January 12, 2014)

April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Authors To Watch

Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors

Michael K. Reynolds | The Suffering Behind Winning An Academy Award

AVAILABLE

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

April's Affections and Intrigues: Love and Mystery Bloom

Authors To Watch

Fresh Fiction BlogGet to Know Your Favorite Authors

Michael K. Reynolds | The Suffering Behind Winning An Academy Award

AVAILABLE

Comments

Services

SPECIALS

FOR AUTHORS

We Love

Fresh Fiction Blog
Get to Know Your Favorite Authors