Follow That Bliss!

10:05 AM Elizabeth Seckman 41 Comments

I've got my edits back and while you're reading this, I'm hopefully happily getting this book ready for publication:



Thanks to everyone who offered to host me in the coming month. You guys are all awesome!

This book was a fun story to write. The hero of the story is young Tanner Coulter, the now grown-up son from the first book in the series, Past Due

When I wrote Past Due, I never planned on writing a series. It was going to be a stand alone tale. 

But once THE END was written, the middle child bad boy and heart-break accomplice of the Coulter Men was off on his own- licking wounds in Montana. He seemed sad. Misunderstood. 


Then when that story was done, little brother Trip was shouting- Hey, what about me, lady? What am I? Chopped liver?"


And I was done. A three book, stand-alone series that was never meant to be a series in the first place. 

But a funny thing happens with books and characters. 

They feel like they belong to the writer, but that's a fantasy. We start it, but we don't finish it. 

These stories belong to the readers. 

And when I said- these stories are now done- time to move on. Fans of the Coulter Men asked for me. Honestly. I was ready for a fresh set of characters, so I balked a little. I reminded them that there were only three Coulter sons. Some suggested a long lost bastard child emerge. Well, that wouldn't work. Barbara and Charles Coulter were soul mates. To add another child to either of their back story would have ruined their love story. 

Then it occurred to me. There was another Coulter. He just needed to grow up. 

And he has...sort of.

                                                           *******
I'm all about bliss following. That's why I write. That's why I'm sitting here typing up this blog post. I believe people should follow their heart and pursue what makes them happy. And no one is a better example of a bliss chaser than the nets own, Alex J Cavanaugh. Ninja by day, rock star by night- Alex knows that once you take care of business, the soul should get to play. 

Way to go Alex! 


41 comments:

  1. What? They don't belong to me? Even when I use the cats and I in strange ways? Damn, I feel so used. lol

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  2. Woot! Yay for edits. :)

    I've struggled with online life lately. Did I make the help-out list? If not, please add me! I'd love to give a shout out!

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  3. What a wonderful post Elizabeth, and that you added our Ninja Captain to the mix, with such a beautiful song, it all works so well together! I'm like Loni, can I help? Am on on the list? Just let me know... I have spaces available in February...

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  4. Now I'm convinced I don't know nearly enough about Alex J. Cavanaugh. Thanks, ES!

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  5. You were so right to follow the bliss, Elizabeth. No, those Coulter men no longer belong to you. Yay for Alex! Our ninja captain rocks on. Hopefully for years and years to come.

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  6. Congratulations, Elizabeth!!!

    A couple of months ago Nora Roberts had a big debate on her Facebook page when she said that her characters Eve and Roarke (from her In Death series) would never have kids end of discussion. Many got upset about that, many supported her, and some offered her ideas for how it could work, but she stood firm. She pointedly said she's the writer and pretty much told her readers she wasn't going to bargain with them. It made me think about how we should write for our readers, so I like that you listened to yours and found something that worked. :)

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  7. I LOVE your cover. So cool! I offered to host you, right? If not, put me on the list and I'll hold a date for you.

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  8. How funny those younger boys demanded their own stories. Nice of you to accommodate them.

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  9. I completely agree! I started with a book that became a series and all because the fans wanted it. The series does belong to them.
    Thanks for posting my video - you rock!

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  10. Congrats on the book! I like how you listened to your readers and found a way to continue the series. I think it's always fun to find ways to keep our characters alive even when we think the story is over.

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  11. Got to watch those characters; they tend to take things over... Congratulations!
    And Alex is amazing!

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  12. Isn't it funny how those characters work. My character Jori wasn't even in the first draft of the first book. Then when I wrote him in and what I'd created for wasn't really working, I almost cut him. Now he has his own book and novelette. Silly me.

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  13. Who does know enough about Alex? Nice post Liz. I will have to check out your books, sound good stories.

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  14. When the characters speak, we must listen! Congrats on another in the series, Elizabeth!

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  15. It's good to know that we can revive characters when we wish.

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  16. Awesome about your book launching so soon. And the ninja Rocks! Awesome video, Alex!

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  17. Hope the edits are going well! How exciting! I loved hearing how you listened to your characters and told their stories. Awesome!

    Good luck!
    ~Jess

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  18. It's great that your characters have such a great following, even if some of the followers can be misguided ;)

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  19. Go, Alex!! Love that sound!

    I have only read one of your Coulter books so far and loved it. Will definitely be reading more in future. ;)

    Congrats on your newest book baby nearing its final fruition! :D

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  20. One of my fav beta reads.... Yay!!!!!!

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  21. I love how our characters take over! Can't wait to read it . . . and it was nice to hear from Alex in a different way :-)

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  22. Good luck with the edits. This is the fun part and getting ready for the long list of everything else to do. And rock on Alex. Rock on.

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  23. Great video. It wasn't working for me yesterday, but I'm glad I got to hear it today.

    I love your blue cover. I can't wait to read it.

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  24. My characters do that all the time. Good luck! Can't wait to read it. :)

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  25. Come Back was supposed to be a standalone, too. Ah, those fans. They wield such power. :P

    Congrats! Can't wait to host you! :D

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  26. What a cute cover. If you want to guest post on my blog to promote your novel, you're more than welcome. Have a lovely Wednesday.

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  27. You sound like a couple of other authors I know. Meant it to be a standalone and poof there's a series hiding in there. :-D

    Seriously, though, I liked your reasoning. While you do need to satisfy the fans, it can't be at the expense of the characters you've established. Smart.

    I'm looking forward to your visit Over Coffee!

    Congratulations!

    Sia McKye Over Coffee

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  28. Characters have a way of knowing their stories better than we do. Some of my books I'd planned as single volumes too, but I was compelled to create a family saga.

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  29. I love getting the story behind the story, and I totally get what you're saying about wanting to move on. I've got three stories pulling at me that want out of my head...and those are just the ones I'm listening to. (Say nothing about deadlines and actual readership...) I hope your final prep is filled with cheese and am totally stoked for your release!

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  30. I remember getting an early peek of that cover! Awesome awesome, Elizabeth. May this novel soar. :)

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  31. Those Coulters are definitely popular! Congrats on your latest story.

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  32. Congrats Liz. You keep rising to new heights. Alex rocks on.

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  33. Hey Elizabeth,

    Apologies for my ongoing sporadic nature when it comes to commenting. I really must get a new computer!

    I'm Defying Reason by trying to fool my computer. Well done on your latest writing endeavour.

    Oh no, video alert! Waits patiently for computer to respond. Finally...that Alex sure can do some gentle guitar.

    Must go before my computer crashes.....

    Gary :)

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  34. It's a real testament to you and your characters that people couldn't stand to not read more about them! That's so awesome. Congrats on the newest!! :)

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  35. Yay! I love that you realized you had another Coulter man after all. :)

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  36. Oh Liz. This is so, so, SO cool… I'm SO PROUD of you… you're rocking it like crazy. This is all so amazing! <3

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  37. It's amazing how those stand alone books can get under your skin and turn into series! Good for you for listening to the characters. Congrats!

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  38. My writing has been influenced by fan input too. Pursuing dreams make the soul happy.

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  39. The Coulter Clan sound awesome!
    Congrats Elizabeth!

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  40. Go, Coulter Clan!
    I've had a few fan questions steer me along a different path than I expected as well . . . a few 12 year old boys want me write about . . . gasp . . . 12 or 13 year old boy heroes. It's not what I'm working on now, but I'll get to it . . .

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