Welcome to another edition of Open Book Blog Hop. Here’s this week’s topic. “Have you ever regretted killing off a character? Or not killing one off?
Since I don’t write mysteries, suspense, horror, or in any genres where death happens frequently, I don’t murder characters.
That having been said, I euthanized a grandmother with dementia in my latest novel, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me. After developing bed sores, Grandma quickly deteriorated to the point where she was unaware of her surroundings and unconscious most of the time. After her daughter gave her permission to go, she passed peacefully.
The same thing happened to a middle-aged mother of two teenagers in The Red Dress. Charlene, my main character Eve’s former college roommate, was diagnosed with cancer and went quickly downhill. She quietly left this world after reconciling with Eve.
I have no regrets about these deaths. It was their time to go. In fiction, you can do what can’t be done in reality.
Have any of you authors regretted killing or not killing your characters? You can answer in the comment field or click below to participate on your blog and see other responses. Thank you for reading.
InLinkz – Linkups & Link Parties for Bloggers
Photo Courtesy of Tess Anderson Photography
Photo Resize and Description
by Two Pentacles Publishing
For those who use the National Library Service for the Blind and Print Disabled in the United States, Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me is now available in an audio format from their site. To download this book click here.
If you haven’t already done so, please subscribe to my email list to receive my monthly newsletter and other announcements. This is a one-way announcements list, meaning the only messages you’ll receive will come from me. So, you can rest assured that this list is low-traffic. Send a blank email to: newsfrommycorner+subscribe@groups.io You’ll receive a confirmation email. Reply to that with another blank message, and you should be good to go.
New! Why Grandma Doesn’t Know Me
Copyright 2021 by Abbie Johnson Taylor.
Independently published with the help of DLD Books.
Photo Resize and Description
by Two Pentacles Publishing
Sixteen-year-old Natalie’s grandmother, suffering from dementia and confined to a wheelchair, lives in a nursing home and rarely recognizes Natalie. But one Halloween night, she tells her a shocking secret that only she and Natalie’s mother know. Natalie is the product of a one-night stand between her mother, who is a college English teacher, and another professor.
After some research, Natalie learns that people with dementia often have vivid memories of past events. Still not wanting to believe what her grandmother has told her, she finds her biological father online. The resemblance between them is undeniable. Not knowing what else to do, she shows his photo and website to her parents.
Natalie realizes she has some growing up to do. Scared and confused, she reaches out to her biological father, and they start corresponding.
Her younger sister, Sarah, senses their parents’ marital difficulties. At Thanksgiving, when she has an opportunity to see Santa Claus, she asks him to bring them together again. Can the jolly old elf grant her request?
My Corner 