Skip to main content

CWO – Character Backstory

Captain’s Log, Stardate 10.17.2006

Blog book giveaway:
To enter, go to the blog links below and post a comment there.
My Thursday book giveaway is Hot Flashes and Cold Cream by Diann Hunt.
My Monday book giveaway is Violette Between by Alison Strobel.
You can still enter both giveaways. On Thursday, I'll draw the winner for the Hot Flashes and Cold Cream and post the title for another book I'm giving away.

Pick my title! I’m still holding a poll for the title of my book! Go to this blog post to cast your vote!



Check out Christian Women Online (click on the button above) to see what other women are blogging about this quote:

"It doesn’t matter what is behind you as much as it matters who is beside you."
~ Ellen ~
"Laced with Grace"


I’m rather torn about this quote. I do like it—it brings to mind the strength, prayers, and support of my husband, my parents, my friends on my writing journey. Where would I be without them, especially the past 12-14 months with all the ups and downs of being contracted and coordinating the Genesis contest?

At the same time, I really do think that what’s behind us makes a big difference.

I know many people have painful pasts, and I’m not saying we should dwell on it. But what happened to me—good and bad—shaped who I am today.

As a writer, I look first to a character’s backstory to discover what they want and why. Even if a lot of that fictional past history never makes it into the novel, I need to know what happened because, well, I’m writing their story. I need to understand the character deeply in order to know how they’d react to the juicy conflict I throw at them in the book.

(And yes, I often talk about my characters as if they’re real people. When you think about them for 8-12 hours a day while typing into a computer screen, see how stable your mind remains.)

I’m like my characters. The things that happened to me—in fact, every step of my life’s journey—was orchestrated by God to bring me to this exact same place I am today.

I didn’t make the best choices along the way, but He compensated. It’s all good.

I’m grateful for who are beside me today, but I can’t discount the things behind me that molded me.

The funny thing is, I’m not even a very sentimental person. LOL!

TMI (Camy’s oversharing section):

Writing: In case you were wondering, I finished my revisions in the wee hours of Monday morning around 4 a.m. That’s a bit late, even for me, but I’m also such a night owl that it’s not as impossible as me waking up at 4 a.m.

Next I’ll be working on my big huge website contest which was supposed to go live last month, but which I can hopefully start this week.

Diet: Captain Caffeine had to fix my exercise bike tonight—the rubber thingy had gotten off track from the wheely thingy. (Very technical, aren’t I?)

I had a relatively low-carb day—dinner was salad. I’m so glad spinach is no longer, well, lethal. E. coli is nasty stuff—I worked with it in my biology research. Although come to think of it, I worked with cancer cells, too, so the E. coli was pretty tame in comparison.

I was so proud of myself for having salad. Just had too much stuff (read: fattening) on top of my spinach.
Labels:

Comments

  1. Miriam PaulineTue Oct 17, 03:51:00 AM 2006

    I absolutely agree that our past makes us who we are. I wouldn't trade my past (the good and the bad) because I wouldn't be the person I am today without it. And it is because God was behind me back then, and is beside me now and is also ahead of me in my future that makes it possible to live with some of the quite stupid mistakes I've made. Thanks for a great post.

    ReplyDelete
  2. TrishTue Oct 17, 05:49:00 AM 2006

    What a great take on the qoute! I do agree what we all have left behind is what made us the people we are! Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousTue Oct 17, 07:35:00 AM 2006

    Camy, that was great. I had to reword mine several times because so many women have pain in their past that does affect them today. You are right. Thanks for bringing that out, I enjoyed it.

    ReplyDelete
  4. AnonymousTue Oct 17, 07:43:00 AM 2006

    Camy, you're right about our pasts (the good and the bad) shaping us to be who and what we are today. I loved your take on this quote.

    BTW, I'm proud of you too for having a salad even if it had too much stuff. Lol, a salad with too much stuff is better than no salad at all and just lots of stuff. (did that even make sense?)

    ReplyDelete
  5. AmydeanneTue Oct 17, 11:05:00 AM 2006

    It is so true about can't discount the past. I don't like mine, but it helped me see my issues and I am better now b/c of it.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Gina ConroyTue Oct 17, 12:06:00 PM 2006

    I can totally relate. If I traded my past I wouldn't be who I am today! I loved the way you related it to your characters. I often think of my backstory and wonder what "my book" would look like. Sometimes I even do a GMC on myself!

    ReplyDelete
  7. NicTue Oct 17, 04:43:00 PM 2006

    Excellent take on today's quote! I never thought about taking on the perspective of the past being behind us. Really enjoyed reading today's CWO from you!

    ReplyDelete
  8. ChristineTue Oct 17, 06:50:00 PM 2006

    Yup, our past is important to who we are, but doesn't have to define where we are going! Thanks for your post! I like the perspective you gave to it.

    ReplyDelete
  9. Heather Diane TiptonTue Oct 17, 07:45:00 PM 2006

    Awww Camster... I'm of the opinion you're a little more sentimental than you admit.

    ReplyDelete
  10. BrendaTue Oct 17, 09:02:00 PM 2006

    That's so true. I remember talking with my brother about things that happened to me he never knew about, and telling him that I wouldn't change anything because I wouldn't be where I am today and wouldn't have the wisdom and first hand experience of the awsome power of God. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  11. Heather Diane TiptonWed Oct 18, 12:07:00 AM 2006

    duh! I forgot to congrats you on finishing your revisions! woohoo! yay!

    ReplyDelete
  12. AnonymousWed Oct 18, 12:34:00 PM 2006

    Good points you made!
    Reminds that God works all things together for good ...
    Thanks for your positive perspective!
    Sunydazy

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular Posts

Laura’s Apricot Shell Shawl knitting pattern

I usually have a knitting project in mind when I write it into one of my books, but Laura’s apricot-colored shawl just kind of appeared upon the page as I was writing the first scene of Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 4: Betrayer , and it surprised even me. I immediately went to my yarn stash to find a yarn for it, and I searched through my antique knitting books to find some stitch patterns. I made her an elegant wool shawl she could wear at home. The shawl ended up tagging along with Laura into the next book, Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 5: Prisoner , where it imparts some comfort to her in her trying circumstances. The two stitch patterns are both from the same book, The Lady’s Assistant, volume 2 by Mrs. Jane Gaugain, published in 1842 . A couple excessively clever and creative knitters might have knit these patterns in the Regency era, but they would have only passed them around by word of mouth or scribbled “recipes” to friends or family, and it wouldn’t have been widely use
2 comments
Read more

No Cold Bums toilet seat cover

Captain's Log, Stardate 08.22.2008 I actually wrote out my pattern! I was getting a lot of hits on my infamous toilet seat cover , and I wanted to make a new one with “improvements,” so I paid attention and wrote things down as I made the new one. This was originally based off the Potty Mouth toilet cover , but I altered it to fit over the seat instead of the lid. Yarn: any worsted weight yarn, about 120 yards (this is a really tight number, I used exactly 118 yards. My suggestion is to make sure you have about 130 yards.) I suggest using acrylic yarn because you’re going to be washing this often. Needle: I used US 8, but you can use whatever needle size is recommended by the yarn you’re using. Gauge: Not that important. Mine was 4 sts/1 inch in garter stitch. 6 buttons (I used some leftover shell buttons I had in my stash) tapestry needle Crochet hook (optional) Cover: Using a provisional cast on, cast on 12 stitches. Work in garter st until liner measures
10 comments
Read more

Narrow Escape contest for January!

I’m so excited because my January Love Inspired Suspense, Narrow Escape , is now available! Here’s the back cover blurb: KIDNAPPED IN BROAD DAYLIGHT Arissa Tiong and her three-year-old niece are snatched off the street by members of a notorious drug gang. Having lost her police officer brother to a drug bust gone bad, Arissa knows the danger she's in. But she has no idea why they want her. Desperate to protect the little girl, Arissa escapes and runs straight to Nathan Fischer. She knows the handsome, weary former narcotics cop hasn't told her everything about the night that ended her brother's life and Nathan's career. But he's all that stands between her and dangerous thugs who are after something she doesn't even know she has. This is the 4th book in my Sonoma series , but each book is stand-alone. The hero is Nathan Fischer, who had a minor role in the 3rd book, Stalker in the Shadows . To celebrate, I’m giving away 10 copies of Narrow Escape ! Her
99 comments
Read more

Keriah’s Pyrennees Shawl knitting pattern w/ @knitpicks Palette

Why I knit this shawl: I wanted to knit the sunset-colored shawl Keriah was wearing in chapter 5 of my book, Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 2: Berserker , so I looked for an antique pattern that might have been used during the Regency era. This one caught my eye, even though it was published in a knitting book a few decades later than the Regency era. The Spider-Net border pattern was most definitely in use in the Regency period, but it’s also remotely possible that the Alice-Maud stitch and the lacy border stitch patterns were also in use during the Regency, being passed on from knitter to knitter via hand-written receipts, by verbal instruction, or with knitted sampler squares (like how many Shetland lace patterns and Bavarian cable patterns were shared). My/Keriah’s version of this shawl would have been lacy but warm because it is knit with fingering yarn on small needles. Since Keriah was cold, I think she would have grabbed this shawl rather than something more elegant and airy.
4 comments
Read more

Phoebe’s Muffatees knitting pattern

In Lady Wynwood’s Spies, volume 4: Betrayer , Phoebe wears a pair of lace muffatees, or gauntlets/arm-warmers that hide a rather deadly surprise. :) I actually got the idea of having her wear muffatees because I saw a lace manchette pattern in Miss Watts’ Ladies’ Knitting and Netting Book , published in 1840, page 20. However, after doing some research, I found that they were called muffatees in the Regency era, and the term manchette did not arise until a few years later. They were essentially arm-warmers worn under those long sleeves on day dresses, which were usually made of muslin too thin to be very warm. I decided to knit Phoebe’s muffatees using a Leaf Pattern originally suggested for a purse in Mrs. Gaugain’s book, The Lady’s Assistant, volume 1, 5th edition published in 1842, pages 234-237. I think there was an error and row 36 in the original pattern was duplicated erroneously, so I have adjusted the pattern. The original manchette pattern called for “fine” needles a
Post a Comment
Read more

New contest!

I haven’t had a contest since October! Here’s new one just in time for Christmas. I’m picking 3 winners to each be able to choose 10 books from my Christian book list! And yes, that list includes my books! 1) You get one entry into the contest when you sign up for my email newsletter at http://www.camytang.com/ . If you already belong to my email newsletter, let me know! 2) You get a second entry into the contest if you Like my Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/CamyTangAuthor . If you already Like my Facebook page, let me know! 3) You get a third entry into the contest if you join my Goodreads group: http://www.goodreads.com/group/show/49078 . If you already belong to my Goodreads group, let me know! 4) You get a fourth entry into the contest if you follow me on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/camytang . If you already follow me on Twitter, let me know! 5) You get extra entries into the contest if you get someone else to join my email newsletter. Just email camy {at] c
59 comments
Read more

Year of the Dog serial novel

About Year of the Dog : A month or two ago, I remembered an old manuscript I had completed but which hadn’t sold. It was a contemporary romance meant for Zondervan, titled Year of the Dog . The book had gone into the pipeline and I even got another title ( Bad Dog ) and a cover for it, but eventually my editor at the time decided she didn’t want to publish it, for various reasons. She instead requested a romantic suspense, and so I cannibalized some of the characters from Year of the Dog and thrust them into the next book I wrote, which was Protection for Hire . Honestly, I didn’t take a lot from Year of the Dog to put in Protection for Hire , aside from character names and a few relationship ties. I was originally thinking I’d post Year of the Dog as-is on my blog as a free read, but then it occurred to me that I could revamp it into a romantic suspense and change the setting to Hawaii. It would work out perfectly as (yet another) prequel to the Warubozu series and introduc
Post a Comment
Read more

Year of the Dog serial novel, chapter 13

I’m posting a Humorous Christian Romantic Suspense serial novel here on my blog! Year of the Dog is a (second) prequel to my Warubozu Spa Chronicles series. Year of the Dog serial novel by Camy Tang Mari Mutou, a professional dog trainer, is having a bad year. While renovating her new dog kenneling and training facility, she needs to move in with her disapproving family, who have always made her feel inadequate—according to them, a job requiring her to be covered in dog hair and slobber is an embarrassment to the family. She convinces her ex-boyfriend to take her dog for a few months … but discovers that his brother is the irate security expert whose car she accidentally rear-ended a few weeks earlier. Ashwin Keitou has enough problems. His aunt has just shown up on his doorstep, expecting to move in with him, and he can’t say no because he owes her everything—after his mother walked out on them, Auntie Nell took in Ashwin and his brother and raised them in a loving Chri
Post a Comment
Read more

Chinese Take-Out and Sushi for One

Captain’s Log, Supplemental My agent sent me an article from Publisher’s Weekly that discussed this incident: Chinese Take-Out Spawns Christian Controversy And here’s also a blog post that talks about it in more detail: The Fighting 44s This is Soong-Chan Rah’s blog: The PCS blog In sum: Apparently Zondervan (yes, my publisher), who has partnered with Youth Specialties, had put out a youth leaders skit that had stereotypical Asian dialogue, which offended many Christian Asian Americans. In response to the outcry, Zondervan/Youth Specialities put out a sincere apology and is not only freezing the remaining stock of the book, but also reprinting it and replacing the copies people have already bought. I am very proud of my publisher for how they have handled this situation. The skit writers have also issued a public apology . (I feel sorry for them, because they were only trying to write a funny skit, not stir up this maelstrom of internet controversy. I’ve been in youth work long enou
39 comments
Read more

Toilet seat cover

Captain’s Log, Supplemental Update August 2008: I wrote up the pattern for this with "improvements"! Here's the link to my No Cold Bums toilet seat cover ! Okay, remember a few days ago I was complaining about the cold toilet seat in my bathroom? Well, I decided to knit a seat cover. Not a lid cover, but a seat cover. I went online and couldn’t find anything for the seat, just one pattern for the lid by Feminitz.com . However, I took her pattern for the inside edge of the lid cover and modified it to make a seat cover. Here it is! It’s really ugly stitch-wise because originally I made it too small and had to extend it a couple inches on each side. I figured I’d be the one staring at it, so who cared if the extension wasn’t perfectly invisible? I used acrylic yarn since, well, that’s what I had, and also because it’s easy to wash. I’ll probably have to wash this cover every week or so, but it’s easy to take off—I made ties which you can see near the back of the seat. And
23 comments
Read more