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Marian P. Merritt | Never Say Never
How many times have you said, βIβll never do/say ______ (fill in the blank)?β
Only to find yourself in a position where you have to consider doing exactly
what you said youβd never do. Or worse, doing it.
I canβt begin to count the times in my past where this has happened. One thing I
have learnedβto never say Iβll never do or not do something!
Cheryl Broussard, the heroine in THE VIGIL,
my Womenβs Fiction novel vows she would never be in an abusive relationship and
would never return to her small Louisiana hometown. But one broken vow leads to
the other and she finds herself back home facing the demons that drove her away
thirteen years ago.
Too many times facing our demons is something we run away from instead of
marching forward to conquer and put them behind us. This is what Cherylβs life
has been like. But now that she is forced to return home, she is given an
awesome opportunity to put the past permanently behind her and move forward.
After all, how can we grow unless we can confidently move forward sans excess
baggage from past hurts, misconceptions, and betrayals?
Also, who wants to read a book where the main character is already perfect and
nothing ever happens to her? Boring. Right?
Having a character that is not perfect and harbors deep-seated hurts from her
past makes her real. Many of us can relate to her. Isnβt that what weβre looking
for in fiction? Characters we can relate to, root for, and remember after weβve
turned the last page.
When I first started writing THE VIGIL, I had a clear image of the main character, Cheryl
and set out to tell her story as I saw it. BUT, as I began writing,
Cheryl wanted her story told as she knew it. Once I learned to trust the
character and got to really know her, the story unfolded and revealed an
exciting twist.
Secondary characters became real, with their own ideals, misconceptions, and
beliefs. As the story developed, I knew how important it was to really get to
know my characters well before ever writing the first sentence.
The fun part about writing THE VIGIL was placing the characters is real South Louisiana
settings and have them eat authentic Cajun foods. I hope itβs a small way to
have the reader feel like theyβve actually been to South Louisiana or at least
stir their desire to visit one day. So often reality TV takes a unique locale
and exploits all the extremes. That doesnβt really tell the true story.
Hopefully, readers will feel the authenticity of the area as they follow
Cherylβs journey.
As I work on my fourth Christmas Novella, Iβm having fun with two
unlikely-paired characters, one from Louisiana and one from Colorado, set in the
quaint Italian village of Cavazzale, Italy. You can bet I did extensive
character sketches for each and am trusting where they take me with the story!
Look for my second Womenβs Fiction release Summer of 2015 β
THE MOON HAS NO LIGHT. Two mothers. One son. Twenty years later, can the adopted
son of one be the abducted son of the other?
Giveaway
Readers, when have you said "never" and been wrong? Leave a comment below to be
entered to win a copy of THE VIGIL and a $10 Starbucks gift card!
About THE VIGIL
Cheryl Broussard made two vows: She'd never fall for an abusive man, and she'd
never return to her Louisiana hometown. But she's learned all too well the
lesson of never-say-never. Now, back in Bijou Bayou after fleeing from an
abusive boyfriend, Cheryl finds work as a Hospice nurse. While reading a dying
patient's Korean War love letters, family secrets shatter Cheryl's beliefs about
her family and herself and shed light on the reason she fled her hometown. When
the Broussard family secrets are revealed, can Cheryl deal with the truth and
accept the blessing of a second chance for relationships with her family, old
friends, and with the God she never really knew?
About Marian P. Merritt
Marian Pellegrin Merritt writes stories that blend her love of the mountains
with her deep Southern roots. Her tagline, Where the Bayous Meets the
Mountains, grew from both loves. She is the author of, Deep Freeze
Christmas, A Cajun Christmas Miracle, and Southern Fried Christmas.
Her latest release, a Womenβs Fiction novel, THE
VIGIL, can be purchased at online retailers.
Marian is a member of American Christian Fiction Writers and Women's Fiction
Writers Association.
She holds a Bachelor of Science degree in physical therapy and an accounting
certificate from the University of South Alabama. This Louisiana native writes
from the Northwest Colorado home she shares with her husband and a very spoiled
Labradoodle.
Connect with her through Website, Blog, Facebook,
Twitter
Marian P. Merritt's
Readers Group
Purchase her
books
Comments
16 comments posted.
Re: Marian P. Merritt | Never Say Never
In this instance, I need to put a different slant on things.
At one time, I used to be johnny-on-the-spot. Whenever
someone needed something, they could always count on me to
come through. All they had to do was ask. It became my
downfall, because at some point, I became overwhelmed and
taken advantage of. It wasn't because I didn't like doing
these things. I enjoyed doing many of them. It's just hard
to describe the being taken advantage of point that is hard
to describe. Anyway, I had finally had enough, and one day
I finally put my foot down, gently, and said no. These
people got the point, and I was able to pick and choose what
I would do for whom, which cut down the stress factor
considerably!! I will never put myself in that position
again!! As for your book, I'm really anxious to read it.
The cover is tastefully done, and the story line has me
intrigued. Congratulations on what I'm sure will be a good
seller!!
(Peggy Roberson 10:25am March 6, 2015)
What an interesting book and post. I have said never several
times and of course been coerced into agreeing or doing what I
never intended to do.
(Sharon Berger 10:43am March 6, 2015)
I said I'd never eat green beans - and now I love them!
(Elaine Seymour 5:01pm March 6, 2015)
I said I would never judge anyone by their looks and I did so recently---and am very sorry--because she's a wonderful person, and, now, friend.
(Susan Coster 5:17pm March 6, 2015)
Peggy, I can see why you'd never want to put yourself through that type of
stressful lifestyle again. Good for you for making a positive change. Thank
You for your kind comments!
Sharon, thank you. We've all been it that position at one time or another.
Elaine, thanks for stopping by! I love green beans, too!
Susan, I'm so glad you've found a wonderful person as a new friend.
(Marian P. Merritt 10:38pm March 6, 2015)
Oh yes ! How many times have I said I'd never say or do that again . Lots , and I eat my words often .I'm always telling myself to think before I speak or do something . And the next thing I know I have opened mouth and inserted foot . I would love to read your book, it sounds like my kind and I can put myself in Louisiana living Cheryl's life. I thank you for this giveaway and will keep my fingers crossed.
(Joan Thrasher 12:46pm March 7, 2015)
I don't know how many times, a lot! :)
(Diane Pollock 10:35pm March 7, 2015)
i would never say i love unless i meant it
(Ann Unger 10:41pm March 7, 2015)
LOL, yes. I had worked as a computer programmer and said I spend so much time at work on a computer, I would never have one at home. Well, then I got laid off. And ended up getting a computer to help with my job search!
(Joanne Schultz 1:29pm March 8, 2015)
Louisiana has a special southern charm
(Diane McMahon 3:40pm March 8, 2015)
I have had to eat my words to many times to count
(MaryEllen Hanneman 6:57pm March 8, 2015)
I said I would never become disgusted with emails, but I have. Someone must have sold my email address.
(Gladys Paradowski 7:37pm March 8, 2015)
thanks for the good book contest
(Susan Gannon 9:03am March 9, 2015)
Alot!
(Susan Clickner 1:17pm March 9, 2015)
Oh, my goodness! I've had to eat my words on various occasions. Thanks for the contest. I would love to win The Vigil. Louisiana and an intriguing plot are winners for me.
(Anna Speed 1:43pm March 9, 2015)
I never wanted to marry but I did.
(Deb Pelletier 9:41pm March 9, 2015)
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