Note:  To make stories flow, authors have to limit the amount of background (or backstory) revealed about characters (and we hate that), so I was please to have a request for posts on this topic. 
 
Nicolai’s Backstory
 
In The Essence, Sophia interviews General Nicolai Hewzenko,  a reclusive dictator.  He is perceived as a dangerous and volatile man, but she finds that Nicolai is a complex, charismatic character to whom success has come at a price.  He’s brought peace to a country that was torn by war and ethnic violence but not to himself -- he remains haunted by memories.
 
Nicolai is a product of both the Russian and local cultures – his father was a wealthy Christian of Russian decent who married a Muslim woman, who was then disowned and ostracized.  He had few friends growing up; he was never welcome in their homes. He observed how even the poor who accepted his mother’s help spit at her retreating shadow. 
His father insisted Nicolai attend Oxford University in England and upon returning, Nicolai became a commissioned military officer.  When his mother was killed during a charity mission by troops on an ethnic raid, Nicolai was inspired to join a rebellion and soon became their leader.  After years of Spartan existence in the mountains, the rebels prevail, but the shadow of dead comrades and his mother remain with him; then the victory  celebration was ruined when Nicolai’s young wife is killed by a car bomb.  Sometimes those thoughts  overwhelm him, in what those close to him describe his him as “black moods”. 
 
But on the brighter side, Nicolai is a proponent of novel progressive ideas, education and culture.  He enjoys the symphony, can’t imagine a party without an orchestra and is an excellent dancer.  He’s generous to those who follow him, but no saint – he can be ruthless to those who oppose him.

 
New ideas intrigue me, especially ones with a win-win spin, so I was looking forward to Kaufman Million Cups this week as the presentation was from an entrepreneur who had formed a B Corporation.

But I was not prepared for her uncanny resemblance to a character in the book I’m writing! 
 
In my latest book (now in the editing stage), I created a character named Liza.  One of the first things the reader learns about Liza is that her life revolves around selling fashion footwear --  artisan made, eco-friendly, high end shoes.  Later, it’s revealed that she seeks to give back to the world by donating specially designed, comfortable school shoes to children in need.
 
In real life, Bethany, the founder of www.therootcollective.com  was inspired by a visit to the slum of La Limonada in Guatemala and the poverty and desolation she saw there.  Wanting to help create opportunities for people, she allied with a native shoemaker and now sells shoes handmade by artisans  in Otto’s workshop using fabric hand-woven by women using the traditional backstrap methods.
 
Other similarities:  Both Beth and Liza have a passion for their business, short dark hair and like sunflowers! (Ok, Liza prefers roses, but the rest is true.)
 
For more about The Root Collective story, please visit their site. 
For Liza’s story and the new book, watch the blog or join my mailing list!
 
 

I listen to country music.  Sometimes by choice but often on road trips because the driver gets the pick the music and my husband likes to drive more than I do.  (It's totally fair.)  
Listening to the songs, it seemed like fun to write my own.  So on the road to Wilmington on Saturday, I wrote these verses, inspired by a pickup truck, a load of yams and a road sign.  

Start strumming and see what you think: 

Chorus: 
Tooling down 40 with my load of yams 
Whistling and singing to my favorite jams 
Going to Wallace to deliver my load
Then on to the bar that's right down the road

Bartender Mindy is who I want to see
Love the way she winks, slides those beers to me 

Mindy's smart,  so pretty and nice 
Smells so sweet, just like cinnamon spice

Tooling down 40 with my load of yams 
Whistling and singing to my favorite jams 
Going to Wallace to deliver my load
Then on to the bar that's right down the road

For weeks now I've wanted to ask her out 
Shaved and showered I knew what I was about

 My heart beat faster as I enter the door 
Then a fat man says: "She don't work here no more"

Tooling down 40 with my load of yams 
Whistling and singing to my favorite jams 
Going to Wallace to deliver my load
Then on to the bar that's right down the road

Trudged back to the market to lend a hand to pa
And who did I see stacking yams next to ma?

Mindy winked,  said  "I'd hope you'd be along"
Pa pats my shoulder  "What took you so long?"

Tooling down 40 with my head in a whirl 
Whistling and singing with my favorite girl
Back from Wallace for another load
Rolling with Mindy, so happy on the road

Ready for the CMA's?    

I've seen people read books on a treadmill, but did you know that reading a  good book can do more than entertain  you?  According to research, reading fiction actually gives your brain a workout.   

This video from The Literacy Site Blog explains how  storytelling affects -- and can enhance -- different parts of your brain. 

Watch here 

Does that make you feel even better about curling up with  that book?