In Lovely Lillian, I explore the use of amnesia. While Lillian’s memory loss is a device keeping her and Rafael together, it also provides her an avenue to explore being someone else. Her old life left her stifled and hemmed in. Sometimes all it takes is a different perspective to see things differently.
What are some of your favorite movies or books that incorporate amnesia into the story?
I’ve been writing since the age of seven. My fascination with Story started with Nancy Drew book before I moved on to Agatha Christie mysteries. Gothic romance came next. Soon, I was swept away by the genre. Characters and conflict fascinate me.
When my children were young and time was too scare to write, I made up stories for them at bedtime. Silly stories, mostly with some message I wanted to convey — like brush your hair or birds will make a next in it. Some day perhaps, I will get those stories on to paper.
Finishing my first novel, which isn’t published, was a thrill. I quickly followed it up with others. Each time, I wanted to improve. The goal, to breath life into something and give others that escape I love when I read.
Speaking with others is something we take for granted. As young children, we babble and our parents marvel at every almost-word. It’s easy, therefore, to believe talking with someone is having a conversation with them. This isn’’t the case. The art of conversation is in the listening and remembering.
By all means, say what you feel, but then, listen to the other person’s response and adjust your next comment accordingly. Too often we speak to hear ourselves speak, speak over others or simply agree with those around us without considering what’s being said. If we only listened and tried to understand, we might forge closer connections.
Something about summer…instead of clicking away at the computer keys and finishing the necessary edits for Lovely Lillian, I’ve been diving into romances. I justify the procrastination by calling it research—it’s imperative to understand the genre after all!
Loretta Chase has been at the top of my list. After The Last Hellion, I went back and devoured The Dressmaker Series. Her unique characters and all their glorious faults are so endearing, these two series are not to be missed.
Happy Summer!
Aster
Don’t get me wrong, I love modern conveniences but there are a few inventions that have taken some of the romance out of our lives. One gesture I recall as a kid was my father opening the door of the car for my mother before going around to let himself in. Such a simple action and yet so poignant. He could have let himself in first and reached over to unlock her door, but he never did. I can still remember their eye contact as she would gracefully take her seat. The gesture had a fairy tale quality to it — a gentleman opening the door for his lady.
Do any of you have memories of small actions that have vanished because of technology?
After a very busy Christmas and New Years traveling abroad to be close to family, it is as the song so aptly says, “so nice to come home.” I am looking forward to hunkering down for the long, cold winter and getting some writing done. Lilian Price is out of sorts that her story is so close to being finished yet her happily ever after is taking an eternity to complete.
And then there is Alice Gordon waiting patiently in the wings for some attention. She vanished in Sweet Celeste and no one went in search of her. Not that anyone would do. Secretly, she dreams of Charles Southerly taking some notice of her.
My characters are clamoring. My apologies if you are waiting to hear from them and I’ve kept you waiting. I am back at the keyboard again.
Yours in fiction,
Aster
Etretat, France
