I wasn’t sure what to write about in this blog, so I closed my eyes, scrolled with the mouse, and stopped at a random page in the manuscript. So, where did I end up? On page 142, where Jenna tells a man named Tom (via email) that she’s planning a trip to Scotland later that month.
So, who is this guy Tom? Well, I can’t dish out all of the details because Jenna doesn’t even know yet. All she knows is that he sent her an email from the Dunnottar Castle website, responding to her inquiry about visiting – do they have a good selection of books in the bookstore, and is there a coffee shop on site? They have a few more exchanges before the trip about books, the weather, and other generic stuff.
Why is Jenna planning a visit to Dunnottar Castle? Well, it has to do with research for a story she’s working on. A story her best friend Padma started. Why isn’t Padma finishing it? Well, I can’t really tell you that, either. Wow – so many questions I can’t answer! Let’s see if I can find something that I CAN tell you!
Shh… Don’t tell Jenna, because she hasn’t seen Tom in person yet. But she will when she visits the castle in April. Tom is a really handsome guy – about 6’ 2” with a muscular build. He has brown, wavy hair that almost touches his shoulders and dark brown eyes. The corners of his eyes crinkle when he smiles, and he has dimples, but you can’t see them because he has a soft, well-groomed beard. Doesn’t sound like a Scot? Well, he is. And if my readers question me about that, then I’ll say whatever traits they are questioning come from his mother’s side of the family. Artistic license, right? He lives in an old manor house at 5 West Moor Road, has a black spaniel named Cleo, and two tiger-striped cats (Laurel and Hardy) who happen to be brothers.
Tom is a protective/introverted sort, with good reason. That part I can’t tell you, but you’ll understand when you read the book why he tries to “fly under the radar.” He also happens to be a talented photographer who provides prints of his work to organizations at charitable events and sells them (prints, cards, etc.) in the gift store at the castle.
He doesn’t know it yet, but his life is going to change dramatically with Jenna’s visit. What will happen on that visit? I haven’t gotten there yet (I’ll be there in the next scene or two), but it’s going to be fun to figure it out! Tom doesn’t usually answer inquiries on the castle website, but something told him to answer Jenna’s. It’s out of character for him. That’s going to make it worth getting these two together!
Until next time…
Every Day Writer 