Summer characters ~ by Maressa Mortimer

Summer has arrived this week, and I’m loving it. I’m feeling less horrified by the early morning starts with our puppy and more alive in the evenings, so I’m itching to pick up my WIP again. Now that my mind is no longer filled with puppy needs as well as kids’ needs, it’s time to visit Elabi again. 

Looking at my family around the nice weather, there is a range of different types of characters I can think of. There’s one, a fair-weather person. They love adventure or trouble, but only one kind of adventure. Maybe they’ll be happy to go on a dangerous expedition but stay away from equally dangerous city trouble.

Then there is number 2, oblivious to the weather, danger I mean. They do their own thing and accidentally stumble upon danger, unprepared and ill-equipped. They enjoy danger and adventure and are always willing to be pulled into adventures but might be overdressed.

Number three loves the idea of adventurous days, but hates it when it comes to it. They might grumble or simply glower, make remarks that are often helpful and need reminding to use certain techniques like suntan cream to get through the adventure unscathed.

Number four hates the idea of danger and adventure as it all sounds rather hard work but actually loves it when in the middle of the story. Afterwards, nothing beats adventure or hair-raising missions. They are woefully underprepared and need other members of the mission to remind them several times throughout the danger zone but are not accident-prone. They come out looking good as well.

As for number five, adventure is their life story. They plunge into any adventure, well prepared and always wearing special outfits. Afterwards, they might groan about the dangers encountered and they will need support during the mission as they are rather keen to visit every A&E near danger zones. They will need reminding of the risks several times and pose danger to their team members when bored.

Number six is the law enforcement member of any mission. They will know the rules and make sure the entire team adheres to the rules. They can change the rules last minute as well. They’re the weapon expert and love adventures as long as they stay out of danger themselves. They love safety equipment and carry a bag with things for just-in-case. Food is essential on any mission. Stealth missions aren’t their favourite as staying quiet for too many minutes is too much hard work.

Lastly, the dog just wants to be with the mum as she’s the one feeding her. She has no sense of danger as long as the mum is close by. She will do anything for food, any food. She loves adventures as long as there’s plenty of food as well as Mum.

So there we are, different kinds of POVs. Which one is your main character at the moment?

Maressa Mortimer is Dutch but lives in the beautiful Cotswolds, England with her husband and four (adopted) children. Maressa is a homeschool mum as well as a pastor’s wife, so her writing has to be done in the evening when peace and quiet descend on the house once more. She loves writing Christian fiction, as it’s a great way to explore faith in daily life. Because of her interest in writing, Maressa is part of Creativity Matters: Find Your Passion For Writing, an anthology encouraging people to write.

Her debut novel, Sapphire Beach, was published in December 2019, and her first self published novel, Walled City, came out in December 2020, followed by Viking Ferry, a novella. Beyond the Hills is the second book in the Elabi Chronicles, and was released in 2021, followed by stand-alone novel Burrowed, released in 2022. All of Maressa’s books are available from her website, www.vicarioushome.com, Amazon or local bookshops.