Three Things Book Talk at Kev’s

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Three Things Serial Story — Book Talk

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Welcome back everyone!  If you were wondering, this post already went live at KC Books & Music.  I wanted to leave a gap before posting here.  If you’ve already visited there, thank you!

Kevin Cooper ever so kindly asked me to take part in his Book Talk at KC Books & Music.  How could I possibly resist?  So please go visit his amazing blog too, that’s important to me.  I’m re-sharing the post here, so that it will be in my own library.  Okay, here goes!

My debut novel was Atonement, Tennessee.  It’s an urban fantasy with a dash of mystery.  However, as most everyone here knows, over the holidays I “book-ized” one of the serial stories from my blog, The Three Things Serial, a Little 1920s Story.  You can learn all about it here.  Anyway, that’s what I want to bring to Book Talk. 

Characters from my stories will get into my head at the oddest moments.  It might go something like this…  

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Young Lucille Ball as Pip

Hey Sheba!  What-cha doin? 

Akkk!  OMG, Pip.  You scared me half to death.  I nearly knocked my laptop off the desk.  Couldn’t you give me some warning before you pop into my head?

Oh applesauce… What am I supposed to do, ring a doorbell?  Oooo you’re online shopping, huh?  Are you seriously getting a hat with cat ears?  That’s not what I’d expect.  It’s the  cat’s pajamas though.  Tee-hee, get it?  Will you write one for me in my next story? I’m tired of my pink cloche.

Burned toast.  That’s what the scent was.  I sniffed the air and stood up behind my desk as the odor was suddenly much stronger.  My pink cloche hat fell to the floor.

“Oh, applesauce!” I muttered as I quickly scooped it up and brushed off the nonexistent dirt.  The hat was brand new.

Paisley Idelle Peabody, why are you in my head?

You sound like Granny Phanny.  What did I do to make you use my full name?  Come on, I know you’re a flapper at heart.  I’m just having fun.  Wait, where’d the cat hat go?  Your computer is on a different site.  Ah… KC Books & Music.  Looks like the bee’s knees!

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Young Lucille Ball

It is “the bee’s knees” and so is Kev, who runs the website.  I’m supposed to be there talking about your novella, The Three Things Serial Story.

Did you tell them about it being spontaneously written?  Every element of the story came from “things” your blog readers sent.  I gotta tell you, that kind of uncertainty was pretty darned scary for me!

You came through it okay though, Pip.  Don’t grumble, and for heaven’t sake don’t give the nice people here any spoilers. They might want to read your adventures.  Maybe you didn’t get everything you wanted, but having you grow up some is part of the story.

It still gives me the heebie jeebies to know that even the 1920s setting and me being a flapper came from those “things.”  Your mind must work in strange ways if you got all that from oscillating fan!

Well Pip, I can’t argue with you there.

1920s Fan

Tic, tic, tic, grunt.  Tic, tic, tic, grunt.  The noise chipped away at my preoccupied mind while I absently gazed at the quiet street below.  It was Sunday, so hardly anyone was out.  A little boy in a cowboy costume came around the corner.  He pushed himself against the brick wall of the building across the street and peeped back around its edge at his unseen playmate.  Then he jumped out with arms spread like a bear to startle his friend, and quickly disappeared from sight.

Tic, tic, tic, grunt.  Tic, tic, tic, grunt.  The sound drew my attention away from the window.  Some would find the low repetitive noise hypnotic, perhaps even relaxing.  To me however, the sound was becoming downright annoying.  A dust bunny skittered out from a corner, propelled by the breeze of the oscillating fan.  The stirring air brought a familiar scent to my nostrils and I looked toward the door.

Do you really imagine the voice of a grown up Lucille Ball as the narrator when I tell my stories? 

Yes Pip, from the very beginning.  But only the narrator parts.  For instance right now, or when you’re in dialogue in a story, I imagine the voice of a young woman.

One who sounds like a young Lucille ball?  Did that come from a “thing” too?

No.  It was just there.  What’s that look on your face about? I don’t have an answer for everything.

Aren’t you going to share more of my adventures with these Sheiks and Shebas?  Tell them when.

As you would say, Pip — I pos-i-lutely am.  “Murder at the Bijou, a Three Things Serial Story” will be published this spring.

Is that where I—

Pip, spoilers!  I think we’ve probably talked enough.  We wouldn’t want to tell too much.

Bye folks.  Don’t take any wooden nickles!  It’s time for this flapper (and the writer too) to scram!

Thanks for visiting, everyone.  Drop by Kev’s blog. Check out all the great stuff there, and say hello.  Mega hugs!

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Image by Chris Graham, The Story Reading Ape

Copyright © 2017 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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67 thoughts on “Three Things Book Talk at Kev’s”

  2. I don’t know how you do it, but when I read your stories I always hear the characters’ voice even if it is not linked to a real person. The magic of your stories make me think of packing my stuff and moving into your fictitious but so inviting world. Great conversation and introduction of your characters.
    Many Hugs. xx

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  3. Oops, I’m late! I’ve had such a busy schedule lately trying to finish off some decorating before my return to work… Did I miss anything? I hope David didn’t eat all the applesauce and you managed to rescue some of the burnt toast… (I tend to do some frantic scraping with the butter-knife in such dire situations.) I’m famished! Thanks for sending folks over my way from here… very good of you, Teagan. 😀 Mega hugs!

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    1. Dear Gerlinde, there is no such thing as late at Teagan’s Books. I’m happy to see you. Plus, I’m sincerely honored that you are enjoying “Atonement, Tennessee.” ❤
      There are all sorts of "Atonement" things here. Find the "Categories" on the right side of the screen, and click on "Atonement Features", and you'll find character interviews and all sorts of tales and tidbits. Have a sublime Sunday. Mega hugs!

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    1. Hi John. I just now rescued you from my blog’s spam folder! I hope you weren’t too uncomfortable. 🙂
      Thank you kindly — that is such a marvelous thing to say. Visiting your Story Day before lunch break is over. 😀 Mega hugs.

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        1. LOL. Thanks, John — I needed that chuckle. There was one berating me (at an old post) for using videos. And two more who leveled several insults each at my blog — apparently thinking that would prompt me to use their services. So I’m glad you’re free now. 😀

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  9. When I read your stories all the characters have voices and seeing the person, like Lucille Ball or Johnny Depp or whoever you choose makes it a specific voice that usually is from the person you have envisioned. Hoping you have a wonderful weekend and hopping over to Kevins now!!

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    1. Thanks so much, Suzanne. That helps me a lot, because I’ve often wondered if without the pictures I use in the blog, the books do enough for the imagination.
      It’s been a very nice day out. I hope Mother Nature has given you and Percy a lovely day. Happy weekend and mega hugs!

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  13. This might sound like a stupid question, Teagan. How does a novelist invent characters, from real life experiences, from people in her/his circle, or what….? I ask this because every time I think of even remotely writing a story, real people I have met come to mind. It would become their story and I don’t want to. In my profession as a designer, I have encountered so many situations worth turning into a story, some are really funny, but I refrain from doing so. I might get in trouble for writing a story people can recognize.

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    1. Hi Valentina. It’s lovely to see you.
      I can see how that would be a problem. There has only been one such story that I would truly like to write… (so like you I have not written it).
      This seems like a simple question, but it is difficult for me to answer.
      There have been a few people who I have met in passing that inspired a character, usually for some outlandish behavior. But when I say *inspired* I mean a beginning, a seed. The character is not copied after them. So I might use a mannerism, a personality trait.
      However, for the most part, Parts of a story, and or characters just come to me.
      Happy weekend hugs!

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      1. I have hard time thinking of a fantasy character that doesn’t exist. I should follow your suggestion, start with the real character or situation as a seed and see where it takes me. Thanks, hugs. 😀❤️

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        1. You might try this as an exercise, Valentina. Have you ever heard the fanciful question about who would you invite to a dinner party and why? Imagine something like that, but as you imagine it, throw in some “characters” who don’t exist for those guests to be talking to. Then imagine their attitudes, facial expressions, accents, clothes — any one of those things. That might give you a seed to create a character.
          Or if that seems overwhelming…
          Try my 3 things exercise. Just take 3 random things. Put them together and see if it makes you think of a fictional person. Maybe… pigeon, flute, psychedelic…
          Regardless of how you go about it, just have fun.
          More hugs.

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    1. Hi Kathryn, it’s great to see you. I’ve created so many “new” characters (I already had a massive unpublished fantasy novel with a lot of characters) since I started this blog, that sometimes there can be a lot of “popping.” 😀

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    1. Hi Mary. I’m glad to know Mother Nature is giving you a reprieve. I hope your hand/finger is doing better. I still cringe to think about it…
      Yes, here’s to spring. May it bring bright and beautiful new beginnings. Mega hugs!

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  16. This is the cat’s meow, dear Teagan, and what a way to start the weekend! This has energized me which I need because I’m going for a long walk. Off to share, then to visit Kev’s site and share, and then to walk. You sure know how to put a smile on people’s face, if only we could bottle it and spread it around the world! 🙂
    Mega pos-i-lutely hugs xoxox

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    1. Dear Donna, it’s always a delight to see you. Thank you so much for taking time to read and comment. I love to think I’ve energized someone (especially you!). Actually I recently told someone that Pip is the most energizing (for me) character for me to write.
      Please do enjoy your walk, and have a lovely weekend. Mega hugs right back.

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    1. Ha! I’ve gotten the worst over with, Sue — having to go out for an errand. I really do not belong in this place! So now it’s only good things, even if the mind is still crowded with characters — at least I like them all. 😀
      I really appreciate you visiting today. Mega hugs!

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    1. Tee-hee! Why thank you Dan. I loved that description. After I finish up here, and get a second cup of coffee (I treat myself on weekends), I’ll be over to see what’s on tap at your blog. A happy weekend to you too. Mega hugs.

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  20. I have just commented on Kev’s blog, but wanted to say hello here, and to wish you a weekend filled with the kind of magic that you give all of us. Your blogs always leave me feeling uplifted, and remove me temporarily from the madness that our world seems to be projecting at this point in time! The magical hummingbirds are circling you…..Janet. 🙂 xxx

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    1. Dear Janet — what a beautiful comment! I might print it out and frame it! (I actually did that once with reviews of Atonement, and pinned them to my office wall! LOL) If I have lifted anyone in any way, it makes my day. Thank you so very much. ❤ 😀 Hummingbird hugs!

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    1. It’s wonderful to see you Olga. Thanks so very much for taking a moment away from your holiday in Paris to visit here! (Wow… I’m stunned that anyone would take even a minute away from such a holiday. Thank you.) I’m happy to hear the weather is cooperating. Have a wonderful time with your friends. Get refreshed and energized. Huge hugs!

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    1. Thank you kindly, David. 🙂 I hope you are having a lovely weekend, and visiting with your beautiful grandchildren and family. Thanks for sharing Oscar’s adventures from your book over at your blog. Have a satisfying, hug filled Saturday. ❤

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