Cara Luecht | A Character's Secrets
October 3, 2014
SOUL PAINTER began with
a single vision: a woman, alone in the mist. The color grey filled my senses,
and I put pen to paper to write that first scene. I had no idea where she lived, what she was like, or what the main conflict in
the novel would be. What I did know was that there was a woman in the foggy
recesses of my imagination, and she wanted out. The first few pages rested for a couple of months while the rest of the story
took shape in my mind. I felt I needed to plan, so I feasted on a constant diet
of “what-if.” Eventually, the thinking time paid off. The other characters took
shape: a dedicated priest who was still a man, women trapped by life’s
unexpected turns, and the embodiment of evil. But the woman in the fog remained a mystery. My main character was just beyond
my grasp. Until I picked up the pen again. That’s when I realized Miriam was not who she seemed. I knew she was a woman
hiding. I knew she was alone. I knew she was brave in the face of extreme danger
but trembled when strangers stood too close. To my surprise, that was only what
she would let me see until I dedicated myself to her story. When I finally sat
down to write her, her world consumed me. She became an artist with a deep
connection to color and texture and life. And in the end, she revealed her
biggest secret: she was a prophetic painter. Many authors plot and plan and write from completed, air-tight outlines.
Sometimes I do too. But this debut novel was different. These characters were
demanding. They wanted my full attention, and when I gave it to them, I was
rewarded with a story that I could have never foreseen. Planning out a novel is an important and essential task. After all, the
characters do have to get from point A to point B. The couple of months I took
between writing that first scene and writing the rest of the novel allowed the
story to take shape. In the end, however, it was the writing work that taught me
no matter how much planning I do, my characters’ lives will remain hidden until
I’ve spent enough time with them with pen in hand. The process of writing this novel taught me sometimes I have to work without a
plan. Sometimes I have to open myself to learn from my characters…and if I do,
sometimes they will they tell me their secrets. Comment below to be entered to win your own copy of SOUL PAINTER and a set
of paints!
Comments
12 comments posted.
Re: Cara Luecht | A Character's Secrets
Your book couldn't have come out at a better time!! This mysterious book makes for the perfect Fall reading, and I wish that I had a copy in front of me, so I could find out how the story unfolded!! I loved reading how the story came to be from your posting, and this book will definately be on my TBR list!! Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here today!! I love the cover of your book, too!! It just adds a little more intrigue to what is the most amazing story!! (Peggy Roberson 9:29am October 3, 2014)
I really like " She became an artist with a deep connection to color and texture and life". This book is also on my TBR list. (Leona Olson 12:39pm October 3, 2014)
Thank goodness for writers like yourself. I can not imagine not having the stories that keep me reading. (MaryEllen Hanneman 5:03pm October 3, 2014)
Looks like a good read for Halloween (Susan Jang 8:24pm October 3, 2014)
I am so ready for a good book for fall and this looks like I found it. (Cindy Olp 12:03pm October 4, 2014)
I'm glad that you stuck to the character in your head and came up with this book. Love the mystery. (Kai Wong 12:12pm October 4, 2014)
This sounds amazing. I always like to know how ideas formulate & grow. (Mary Preston 3:43am October 5, 2014)
I would love to read this because it sounds interesting and perfect for this time of year! (Courtney Haas 12:01pm October 5, 2014)
Very Interesting! The idea of a soul painter appeals to me. (Anna Speed 2:27pm October 5, 2014)
I love the premise of the book. I wish I could paint! (Denise Austin 5:23pm October 5, 2014)
On my tbr list now! (Becca Westmoreland 11:07pm October 13, 2014)
amazing...love guest authors (Vanessa VanWagner 4:47pm October 14, 2014)
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