Last week, a fellow blogger invited me to be part of Meet My Character Blog Tour.
Sherri blogs and writes from England, her native land, after many years spent in California. Although she didn’t have to learn a new language, she had to adjust to a new lifestyle as she raised her children in the Golden State.
I also live in California, away from my native France. This common characteristic established a natural bond between Sherri and me. Although we’ve never met and communicate only through our blogs, I’ve learned a lot about Sherri and the challenges of her life, thanks to her regular posts and gorgeous photos. She is now at work on a memoir.
Thank you, Sherri, for thinking of me for this event.
It’s now my turn to tell you about Cameron, the main character of my novel Trapped in Paris (for readers 12 and up).
1. What is the name of your character? Is he/she fictional or a historic person?
Cameron is the main character in my novel. He’s sixteen, American, and the product of my imagination.
2. When and where is the story set?
The story is set in Paris and the Parisian suburbs in April 2010 when a volcano erupted in Iceland, disturbing air transportation through most of the world for days and even weeks.
3. What should we know about him/her?
Cameron lives in Portland, Maine. His father owns a small float of fishing boats and expects Cameron to work with him someday.
Cameron is the middle child of five and also the only boy, which gives him a good understanding of girls and a natural respect for them.
Cameron is close to his mother, a third-grade teacher, and to his fifteen-year-old sister Maddie. He also adores his eight-year-old sister Rose.
4. What is the main conflict? What messes up his/her life?
Cameron’s girlfriend Lilley has dumped him brutally for another boy. This recent broke-up episode adds to Cameron’s natural prudence.
He has never told his father that he’s scared of the ocean and that he doesn’t want to be a fisherman. Although he has never traveled away from his native state, Cameron’s curious about the world. So when his High School’s French Club plans a trip to Paris over spring break, he wants to go. Still heartbroken, he doesn’t want to fall in love ever again.
So when he’s stuck at the Paris airport when the volcano erupts, he wants to stay away from Framboise, a girl he meets there. Yet this girl’s different from his former girlfriend, intriguing and convincing, and when she suggests to leave the airport for Paris, Cameron gives in.
When he and Framboise witness a crime on the River Seine, they are kidnapped by a dangerous man and kept in an empty flat. From that moment, the two of them will become unlikely partners in a fast, action-packed four-day adventure through the Parisian suburbs.
5. What is the personal goal of the character?
For the first time, Cameron is confronted to several new, important experiences.
He fell in love and a girl broke his heart.
He’s miles away from home.
He’s stuck in a foreign airport.
He meets Framboise, a girl who speaks three languages, has traveled the world, and is adventurous.
He will have to rely on Framboise while he wants to stay away from girls.
He will also have to trust his survival instinct, brave danger, and act with courage to help Framboise when the two of them get separated.
Ultimately Cameron will learn to believe in himself.
6. Is there a working title for this novel, and can we read more about it?
When I started this story, a title jumped to my mind: Ash Cloud.
I thought it would be the final title until a writing friend told me that Ash Cloud was misleading. My husband shared the same opinion, so I reconsidered. Changing the working title wasn’t easy, but ultimately I agreed that the volcano eruption triggers the story but isn’t the main topic.
The final title Trapped in Paris is the product of a brainstorming session between my husband and me.
7. When can we expect the book to be published?
I published the novel in the fall 2012. It’s available through Amazon and can be ordered in any bookstore.
Last fall, I teamed up with the same editor for a new novel that will hopefully be available before the end of 2014. In addition, I have two other completed manuscripts that I intend to publish as well. I have also recently submitted a short story to a French publishing company for an anthology.
At Petunia’s Place, November 26, 2012
I’m happy to return Sherri’s invitation and invite other writers on Meet My Character Blog Tour.
You’ll notice that the five of them are women. Nothing against men! Several men are among my favorite writers. And I also know terrific bloggers who are men.
I selected women to support the #ReadWomen2014 twitter initiative.
I owe the idea to Kimberly who wrote about it earlier this year.
The writers below are women I respect and admire. Their writing and blogs inspire me. They make me feel good about being a woman and hopeful for a kinder world in which art would play a more active role.
Listed in alphabetical order and not in order of preference, using the blogs’ names:
Life Between the Sheets (of paper): Story, Art, and Poetry
Mona writes posts infused with poetry. In addition to her poems, Mona has completed a YA novel, now a quarter finalist in the Amazon Breakthrough novel. Cheers to her success!
I was drawn to Mona’s blog because of her American-Mexican heritage, and the fact that she’s using challenges and work experiences as powerful ingredients in her writing.
Thoughts on life, writing, creativity and magic
Andrea runs a high quality blog where I always read beautifully crafted posts and also find inspiration to fuel my own writing. Her posts about creativity are among my favorites.
Andrea’s writing has been noticed and recognized. Her list of awards and prizes is too long to list here.
Thoughts on reading, writing, travels, and all things Italian
I could only be attracted to Kimberly’s blog. Kimberly was born in the US and lives now in Italy with her family. Besides her regular blog posts, Kimberly writes fiction. Many of her short stories have been published. I read Amica del cuore in the anthology Foreign and Far Away and liked it very much. Kimberly has completed two fiction novels.
Author – children and young adults
I like Australian writers – Markus Zusak is my favorite – so when I met Stella who writes from Australia, I knew I would feel at home.
Through her extensive teaching and writing experience Stella provides concrete advice to recent and more seasoned writers. Some tips apply more specifically to Australian writers, but inspiration and support are international. Stella has already published many books. Some of them have received awards. Her latest book will be in print this year.
Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene is one of the most unique and creative writers I’ve met online.
She writes fantasy fiction and started blogging when she embarked the indie boat to publish her novel Atonement, Tennessee.
As a personal practice exercise Teagan started a project called Three Ingredients. Using three cooking or baking ingredients, she concocts the most original posts, blending plot, characterization, and setting with the expertise of a chef. Et voilà! Due to her readers’ enthusiastic response, she’s at work on Cookbook 2.
I hope you will take the time to visit these women writers to read more about their work, either published or in progress.
Evelyne Holingue 
Evelyne you are so sweet. Thank you for the kind words. I’ll try to live up to them! 🙂
You are very welcome, Teagan. I enjoy what you do on your blog and look forward to more good writing from you. Cheers!
Seems very interesting indeed. Is it translated in French yet?
No, it’s not. My aunt who taught English in France translated the story for my parents who don’t speak English at all. I thought it was very sweet. My mother let me borrow the notebooks and I was considering using them to translate the novel. But I also think that it could be a good story for foreign kids who are taking English in school.
Avez-vous des livres en langue anglaise dans votre librairie? Voudriez-vous un exemplaire pour vous? Vous pourriez juger si ce serait une bonne idée. Qu’en pensez-vous? Merci Mary pour votre visite.
Great post Evelyne, thank you. I enjoyed reading about your main character for Trapped in Paris and how you came about the title for your book. My hubby helps me a lot too, he is a great sound board! I already know Andrea and look forward to checking out the other bloggers, all of whom sound very interesting. Great choice, and thanks again for taking part 🙂
Well, thanks to you, Sherri, for thinking of me. I had considered writing about the new boy in my work-in-progress novel, but I have new readers and thought that they might not know about my first book. Writing about Cameron was nice, since I realized that I still like him a lot. Enjoy visiting the other writers!
Thanks Evelyne, and I certainly will do 😀
Thanks for your lovely introduction Evelyne, I’m looking forward to taking up the challenge – writing about my character without giving too much away! It was very interesting to read about your characters and their challenges – I did buy it and will look forward to reading it! I’ll also be sure to check out the blogs of those you’ve introduced to us.
It was a pleasure to introduce you, Andrea. Your writing style and voice are unique and deserve attention. Your blog posts are always neatly crafted. This kind of work pushes me toward better writing as well. Thank you for your support. I appreciate it a lot. I am looking forward to discovering the writers you will showcase in your post.
Thank you for introducing me, Evelyne. I loved reading your post. Trapped in Paris sounds wonderful – the title is excellent! – and I look forward to reading it. I’ll be looking out for the other writers’ posts, and I’m definitely taking part. I feel so honoured that you included me!
I’m so glad you took the opportunity to share your writing with us, Stella. Your work is an inspiration to me and I wish much success to your upcoming novel.
It was nice to revisit with Cameron and Framboise since I last read them in Trapped in Paris a year ago. You have an excellent cross section of women writers for the next post and I thank you for including me.
I look forward to reading your other novels and am so glad you have more than one in the works.
Thank you so much, Mona, for your kind words and support. I was glad to showcase a few women I really like. Although we only meet through our books or blog posts, I feel a real connection. I’m very much looking forward to reading your novel when it’s published.
Hello Evelyne,
Its really amazing post indeed 🙂
Teagan is absolutely right, you are really so sweet. Its my first visit here on your blog and I enjoyed your blog posts.
~Diana
Loved reading about Cameron and his adventures, Evelyne! I’ll definitely have to read this (and then lend it to my older son, the next time we visit Paris). If you’re interested, I’d love to have an author interview with you about ‘Trapped in Paris’ and your writing on my blog. Thanks so much for tapping me, too. I look forward to giving these excellent character questions a go!
Thank you so much, Kimberly, for your interest and support. I like what you are doing on your blog and enjoyed your story in the anthology. Cannot wait to see more of your writing in print. I am honored to be invited on your blog for an interview. It’s with pleasure that I say YES.
The pleasure is all mine, Evelyne! I will contact you next week with suggested questions for a blog interview. Merci!
Oh, this turned out beautifully! Loved it. It’s so fun to learn about other authors processes.
Thank you, Katie. I agree that it is fun to meet other writers and their work. A little behind reading my favorite blogs because I have been reading a few great books. Yours in particular. Great story and excellent writing. Love it!
What a great post Evelyne, loved reading about your process and choosing this title – Portland, Maine?! How great – this beautiful area of the country has followed me to your blog!
Thank you, Mary, for reading the answers to the kind invitation Kimberly extended. I had no idea that Cameron would be from Portland, Maine when the seeds of the story made their way to my mind, but quickly I knew that I wanted him to be from a place I like. And you’re right, Portland is lovely. All of Maine, as you know, is gorgeous. Thanks again for stopping by. Especially because I know how busy you are.
Much success with your novel and all future projects. This post was a great read. Made me want to read your novel. I too enjoy Alvarado Frazier’s writing; therefore, I bet I’ll enjoy the other bloggers you’ve listed. I will visit their blogs, for sure. Be well!
Thank you so much, Sabra, for your visit and kind words. My novel is for young readers but many adults have read it and liked it, so go ahead! I enjoy the blogs I list above very much. I find the women behind these blogs interesting, kind, and very creative. I’m sure you will enjoy them as well. See you soon!
What a lovely idea! Character blog tour! This really is a chance to tell a little about you work. A good teaser!
Thank you! I hope you will read my book or talk about it to a young reader. See you!
Definitely will:)-
Evelyne…
I hope that your travels are bringing you both relaxation and inspiration. Getting ready for Town Hall is always a challenge…missing you already! One question: Did you save the prop we used for the introduction of each new speaker?
bev1726@comcast.net