Writing Meme Day 21 - I have no maternal instincts

[naomi_jay]

21. Do any of your characters have children? How well do you write them?

No. I mean, yes, obviously, some of my characters do have children in that most of my characters have parents, and sometimes their parents feature in the stories. Ayla, for example, has parents who crop up in WOLF STRAP and SILVER KISS. But I think this question means "do any of your main characters have small children?" in which case the answer is no.

I think this is the one facet of my own personality that infects my characters to one degree or another. I have no interest in having kids and have no maternal instincts whatsoever. None of my characters do either. I imagine that some of them would make good parents - Vince and Joel, particularly, but I don't honestly see it happening to any of them.

22. Tell us about one scene between your characters that you’ve never written or told anyone about before! Serious or not.
23. How long does it usually take you to complete an entire story—from planning to writing to posting (if you post your work)?
24. How willing are you to kill your characters if the plot so demands it? What’s the most interesting way you’ve killed someone?
25. Do any of your characters have pets? Tell us about them.
26. Let’s talk art! Do you draw your characters? Do others draw them? Pick one of your OCs and post your favorite picture of him!
27. Along similar lines, do appearances play a big role in your stories? Tell us about them, or if not, how you go about designing your characters.
28. Have you ever written a character with physical or mental disabilities? Describe them, and if there’s nothing major to speak of, tell us a few smaller ones.
29. How often do you think about writing? Ever come across something IRL that reminds you of your story/characters?
30. Final question! Tag someone! And tell us what you like about that person as a writer and/or about one of his/her characters!

Comments

[blythe025.livejournal.com]

I thought that was interesting in Silver Kiss, when Ayla pointed out that neither she nor her partner wanted children. I thought it was cool, because there is a kind of social stigma against women who don't want to have children, as though something were wrong with them. A concept I personally find silly, because everyone has a right to choose the shape of their own lives and what happiness looks like to them. It just seemed another subtle way that you made Ayla stand apart from the pack, in that she is not concerned with having children the way so many wolves are in the book.

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

You wouldn't believe the genuine arguments I've had with other women over this. (Or maybe you would!) I've heard it all, from I'm hostile and it's so sad that I feel that way about babies, to that I'll change my mind when I meet the right man (so patronising!). It's funny how so many people see women without children as incomplete.

It was really important to me that Ayla had her issues with Pack life beyond just her sexuality. Hopefully she comes across as fully-rounded rather than hostile and sad like me, lol.

[blythe025.livejournal.com]

I've heard those arguments (I had an issue just the other weekend with my mom's friend hassling me all night long with "God! You're SO good with kids. When are you going to have kids? You should have kids. You should get pregnant RIGHT NOW!"). It's kind of a similar argument that a woman can't be happy without a man in her life. Both of which are really ridiculous.

I thought Ayla came across very well rounded. There was a lot going on with her. So, when will I get to read more? *nudge, nudge*
:D

[naomi-jay.livejournal.com]

Well, provided I don't have another meltdown and delete-fest, the sequel is due to go to the publisher in August/September, I assume for release early 2011. But, erm, if you're interested... beta readers are always welcome!

[blythe025.livejournal.com]

Yes, please. :)