Joel Cranston

Today I am going to write a brief note about one of the main characters of my novel THE NEWSTEAD PROJECT.
Introducing: Joel Cranston
       Joel is a sixteen year old overgrown teenager who has never fit in anywhere. When he arrives at Newstead and sees dozens of other six foot something teenagers he thinks he has finally found the place he belongs.  Until he sees that their differences far outway their similarities. Its true, size is not everything. 
        In developing my Joel character I did an indepth study of two Davids, My husband of almost fifteen years and the original, King David. I wanted Joel to be similar to my husband in that Joel is secure in who he is, a witty sense of humor and has very strong morals. With concerns to King David I wanted Joel to be creative (writing poetry), loyal, and able to induce strong emotional responses in others. You either love him or you hate him. There is no middle ground. 
       Joel's character evolves as he meets other main characters, never changing from who he is.  He just becomes more of who he already was.

Tuesday already

As promised I am updating my blog every Tuesday for all of my followers (hi mom) .  I am currently working on the second draft of THE NEWSTEAD PROJECT as well as working on the first draft of the second book in that series. It has been a blast getting to know my characters, even if no one gets to know them but me. When I am at work at my day job ( a registered psychiatric nurse) I always tell people, when asked what they should do with their lives: Do the one thing you would do even if you weren't getting paid. So with that thought in mind I continue to write, loving every minute of it. Take care and God bless. See you on thursday, Melanie

Welcome

I am not very computer savvy, and even needed my sister's help setting this up.  I am probably the only one left on this planet who does not own a cell phone.  That being said, I am embracing this new challenge of leaping into the 19--21st--century. 

I have just finished the first draft of my first novel, THE NEWSTEAD PROJECT (see above), and have been informed that getting a manuscript published is not as easy as the movies make it appear to be.  My source of information, my sister, who is also a writer with dreams of being published tells me that blogging is THE way to learn the craft and make valuable connections.  So here I am in unfamiliar territory.  So please forgive my present and probably future ineptness.  

I plan on writing on my blog every Tuesday and Thursday.  This will also be the time I plan to check the other blogs I follow.  If you decided to follow my blog, thank you and welcome!