Tardy Tale

Release of The Keeper's Journal has been delayed for a few days.

As much as I trimmed the book over a long editing process a few years ago, my editor felt a few scenes should be written back in as she neared the end of the book. The new dialogue centers around the old lighthouse keeper's journal and secrets revealed within. I was confidant the subtle facts had been adequately relayed in an earlier portion of the book, but as my editor put it:

I was curious as to why you didn't actually use the journal entry format told in Colm's own voice up until Molly commits suicide and John Larkin invariably reveals connection between the two families. As the editor I felt a bit cheated and I wonder that perhaps the reader might as well. You see where I'm going with this? Let me know your thoughts on it.

Note: Text block added to prevent story spoiler.

Back in the day, The Keeper's Journal was the most difficult book in the Collective Obsessions Saga to edit. It began with 549 pages (327,915 words). Over a long stretch of editing, I managed to whittle it down to 299 pages (169,890 words). With the recent additions, the book now stands at 304 pages (173,214 words).

It was almost one year ago that I finished the first final draft of the book, which I addressed thusly in 2011:

The Keeper's Journal is one of the longest parts in the saga, second only to TheTwain Shall Meet. That doesn't mean it has to be bloated and temperamental. The only way to truly address issues in the story was to set ego aside and get to work. At the end of two weeks, I have to admit I was exhausted. I worked through Christmas and New Years to get it done, foregoing any form of meaningful celebrations. However, The Keeper's Journal finally came to a place that put a smile on my face.

My editor is also happy with the result. Or, as she put it: "By the way, I really like this one."

The one-time labor-of-love-battleship has now become my sleek luxury liner...

Sneak-Peek Observations

My publisher just sent me the final artwork for The Keeper's Journal:

 

The cover accurately depicts my fictional city of Larkin, Maine and the character on semi-transparent display. It could only be achieved successfully by someone who has read the book from first page to last, which my editor has already done.

Larkin is a harbor town, with the beam of the lighthouse near the bottom right of the cover.  The woman's face on display is Angela Page, who finds Colm Sullivan's old journal in the lighthouse keeper's cottage on Banshee Point. Angie is the only daughter of Shannon Larkin, who figures prominently in the Collective Obsessions Saga beginning with Book Three: The Twain Shall Meet through the finale, Book Eight: Megan's Legacy (coming in 2013).

Angie has striking green eyes, also evident on the book cover. A few months ago I received a rather curt e-mail from a reader who complained "if I see another major character with green eyes I'm going to scream – green eyes are unusual but made so typical in fiction novels featuring a woman as the main character."

I beg to differ. Green eyes are not so unusual, at least not in my family. I can safely say 45% of my circle of family members – including myself as well as cousins, aunts and uncles – possess hazel eyes. Green peepers are very common in my world. Besides, how many hues can I use in a fictional family saga that spans more than one-hundred-sixty years? Should I invent my own eye color – perhaps orange?

To see a larger depiction of the book cover go to my special Pinterest page for the novel.

In the meantime, keep your eyes peeled for the official book release of The Keeper's Journal on or around December 23rd December 28th…

Hints & Chirps

A little bird just told me The Keeper's Journal is going to be released on or around December 23rd. Gulp!

The excitement of a new book coming out never gets old…

Seasons Greetings

http://deidredalton.com/

Holiday Reads

Read special holiday excerpts from The Twain Shall Meet:

Shannon Larkin loves the holidays! Recall the rocky beginnings of her romance with Scott Page during Thanksgiving at the family mansion . . . Experience their first kiss under the mistletoe at Christmas . . . And hear Scott's declarations of love on New Year's Eve . . .

Click here to begin reading online holiday excerpts from The Twain Shall Meet, or click here to download holiday excerpts from The Twain Shall Meet (PDF, 888 KB).

The Twain Shall Meet is the third book in the Collective Obsessions Saga. The novel was released by Club Lighthouse Publishing in January 2012.

Keeper Coming

I just received word from my publisher that The Keeper's Journal will be released at the end of November or early December 2012.

Needles to say, I'm very excited.

The novel is the fifth book in the eight-part Collective Obsessions Saga.

Keep your eyes peeled...

Revisions, Round One

Over the weekend, I decided to revise the first chapter of my upcoming novel Bloodlust. While I'm well beyond the first chapter in terms of overall writing, I've found myself returning to the beginnings of the book many times in recent months. Something was tugging at me, making me think of other ways to introduce a mature Kate Grady into the Bloodline Trilogy. The scenario finally revealed itself fully to me, mindfully speaking, so I was able to write the revision in fairly short order.

Inevitable revisions are the main reason I prefer not to predict the release date of a specific novel. As most authors know, the writing process can go along smoothly for quite awhile and then all of a sudden a mental wrench is thrown into the works. It is not writer's block per say, but rather a new direction which can develop over the passage of time. In other words, the author can sometimes be inspired by new ideas that only become feasible as the storyline unfolds and ultimately progresses in their imagination.

Not to worry, though. I've been writing this way for most of my life, so I'm accustomed to the pattern.

More Enthrallment

Carly's in trouble…

IT WAS STILL DARK when Carly awoke fully dressed in the front seat of her Camry. At first she thought she was coming out of a horrific nightmare, but then she felt the pain and sticky wetness in her lower and upper body, and the pounding throb of an enormous headache.

She tried to adjust her eyes to the inky darkness. The street lamps on Larkin Highway helped bring her vision into focus, and then she knew where she was.

Her Camry was parked on the soft shoulder of the highway, underneath an awning of pine branches one-quarter mile from the entrance road to the mansion. She could smell the clean freshness of rain in the air even though her car windows were closed.

She found her voice, which was working now. "How on earth did I get here?" she wondered aloud. "What did I do? What in the hell happened to me?"

Bits and pieces began to flood her memory as she sat there. Despite the chill in her car, she felt the heat of shame rising in her body and flaming her cheekbones. She saw Jack in her mind, and two other men, taking turns on her body and then joining with her all at the same time – something she had never thought possible even in her wildest fantasies…

Click here to read more excerpts from "Enthrallment."

Collective Updates

The following downloads have been revised:

• About Larkin
• Private Journal of Colm Sullivan

About Larkin is a companion guide to the Collective Obsessions Saga. The guide offers insights into the story backdrop, such as particulars and images of Larkin City and the Larkin estate in Maine. Because the story spans more than 100 years, facts and entertaining trivia were compiled during the writing process.

The Private Journal of Colm Sullivan recounts Colm's journey from Ireland to Maine, which begins the Collective Obsessions Saga. As the first lighthouse keeper at Banshee Point, Colm records his private musings, dreams and desires as he begins a new life on the Larkin estate. Note: New pictures and information have been added to the revised version. Transcripts for Colm Sullivan's Journal were extracted from Passion Forsaken and The Keeper's Journal.

Did I mention both documents are free?

Reading Laze

Once in a blue moon, I get the urge to just stay in bed for the day and read. Yesterday was one of those days. My cranky feline Kiki was glad for the unusual occurrence. She spent most of the time cuddled behind the back of my legs, although she rubbed her head against the book in my hands when she wanted attention.

I'm currently reading Fall of Giants by Ken Follett, first book in the Century Trilogy. Since Follett is one of my favorite authors, I'm thoroughly enjoying his work.

However, it's back to work today…

Sneak-Peek

Preview from The Keeper's Journal:

There was one ubiquitous element in Scott and Shannon's marriage that remained a sore point, a constant bone of contention although they rarely spoke about it. One small detail that always stood between them, however slight it seemed at times. It was one bridge they had been unable to cross - the only one in their long relationship of unconditional love.

"Mike Sullivan," Scott thought to himself as he stoked up the fire again. "Why is it, after all of these years, his ghost still haunts us? Shannon rarely talks about it, but it's always there. Like an image one cannot touch, or eliminate. It's a part of herself she will not share. She might talk about him off and on, but she never goes deep to tell me how she felt about him, how the events from that time affected her. That is the part of her she keeps to herself, and I hate it." He paused, the irony striking him all of a sudden. "If it's true, and there is life after death in heaven, then that son of a bitch has probably enjoyed a good laugh all these years. The attention Sullivan craved from Shannon while he was alive has wrecked havoc on those he left in his wake for more than twenty years."

Scott stepped away from the fireplace. Dismissing Sullivan from his mind, he decided today was for him and Shannon. They would breakfast with their family, and then take a walk down to the lighthouse. He was alive and Shannon was his wife, the mother of his children. Those were things the past, or the ghost of Mike Sullivan, could never take away.

Smiling, he replaced the poker in the stand by the fireplace and left the room. The mist continued to swirl outside, accentuated by the blasting foghorn and the sweeping sea beacon. The pine logs in the hearth crackled, while bits of wood and ash fell under the grate, making a hissing sound.

The Keeper's Journal is scheduled to be released by Club Lighthouse Publishing before the end of the year, so keep your eyes peeled!

In the meantime, I've created pages for the book at Facebook and Pinterest.

Evolving Character

Kate Grady was just a baby near the end of Bloodfrost, first book in the Bloodline Trilogy. There was something quite different about her from the get-go. I made no secret about her continuation in Bloodlust (book two in the trilogy); therefore her character development is now progressing in my current writing.

Bloodlust begins when Kate is a teenager, attending English High School in Boston. Despite her penchant for "Goth" apparel and accessories, she is an outstanding student who is also responsible and compassionate. She feels great love and admiration for both her parents (Noel and Pim from Bloodfrost), and is secure in her life and friendships.

I outlined the Bloodline Trilogy last year via private scribbled notes, so I know where I need to take Kate in the continuation of the story. From birth, she has possessed a unique ability to bend people to her will (a result of Noel and Pim's experiences in Bloodfrost, which is hinted at in the first book). For most of her life up to high school, Kate has used her gift to help people rather than harm them.

The current blurb for Bloodlust: Noel and Pim's daughter Kate Grady has unusual powers which allow her to bend people to her will. At first she uses her gifts wisely, but then goes astray after falling in love with the diabolical Kirk Lester, whom she follows down an ugly path of debauchery and evil...

Taking a decent-themed character and transforming them into somewhat of a monster is a challenge, but very enjoyable to write. As any serious author is likely to agree, creating the hideous rather than the mundane is much more satisfying. At the moment, I'm just beginning to push Kate off the cliff into the proverbial abyss. It's an exciting part of the story, and I'm relishing every minute of writing it. I can't wait to see where my imagination takes me as I go around the next corner...

Call me crazy, but that's the way of it.

Book Graphics

New board logo for the Collective Obsessions Saga:

I love it!

Cover History

Passion Forsaken has a long and varied book cover history.

The first book in the Collective Obsessions Saga began with the following cover (my design) back in 2001:

Followed by the professional rendering undertaken by my first publisher Tyborne Hill in 2003:

My working cover for "Passion Forsaken" after Tyborne Hill closed, and when I tentatively renamed the book "The Advent":

And finally, the current cover designed by Club Lighthouse Publishing:

Needless to say, the first two renderings were issued long before I decided to write the Collective Obsessions Saga using the pseudonym Deidre Dalton.

My preference? It's a toss-up between the third (Advent) design and the current cover. I like them both.

Books & Flyers

New "promo" flyers for the Bloodline Trilogy and Collective Obsessions Saga are now available (links go to PDF documents).

Enjoy!

Early Bird

Enthrallment, book #4 in the Collective Obsessions Saga, was released by Club Lighthouse Publishing yesterday:

The press release on my web site went as follows:

George Sullivan reunites with his long-lost love Susan O'Reilly. Their daughter Carly enters into an unholy alliance to secure her position as Liam Larkin's wife. As secrets unfold and more madness takes root, Carly plots a twisted scheme to exact revenge on the Larkin family...

Enthrallment is currently available from the Club Lighthouse Publishing web site. The book will be added to Amazon in July 2012.

Enthrallment is Book #4 in the Collective Obsessions Saga, which chronicles the extraordinary loves and obsessions between two families sweeping a span of more than one hundred years, all set against the backdrop of a Gothic seaside mansion in Maine.

Click here to read excerpts from the book.

Enthrallment was scheduled for release on July 1st, but I'm certainly not complaining that it arrived a week early. I know I've said it before, but the thrill of a new book release never gets old. I also like the cover design, which gives a true depiction of the character Carly O'Reilly in the storyline.

For more, visit the Facebook page just launched for Enthrallment.

Anticipation

Enthrallment is just around the bend...

Click here to see a sneak-peek of the final book cover.

Bloodfrost Revealed

Bloodfrost, the first book in the Bloodline Trilogy was released today.

Meet Noel Gatsby in Bloodfrost, whose nightly dreams take her away from the misery of her pain-wracked, disease-riddled body. The dreams become real when she awakens one morning to find herself completely healed. She soon learns her miraculous recovery comes at a price…

The book is available at Amazon (Kindle) and Barnes & Noble (Nook).

I'm beyond excited about the release of Bloodfrost. It was a true labor of love for me, taking nearly seven months from start to finish. I've already received questions about the book title, which is somewhat explained in the Bloodfrost Q & A:

How did you come up with the title for "Bloodfrost"?

Infection thrives on heat. It's the reason why most hospitals and operating rooms are so cold; it lessens the risks of infection. As I began writing "Bloodfrost," before I created the healers, I decided to use frost in the process of Noel's miraculous recovery. As she's being healed, she feels a coolness running through her veins, as if the blood being replaced in her body is ice cold.

To read excerpts from Bloodfrost, click here.

Writing the two sequels is turning out to be quite an adventure as the story develops more diabolic twists and turns. I'm currently in the early stages of Bloodlust, the second novel in the trilogy, which will hopefully see the light of day by December or early 2013.

Trilogy Unveiled

Plans for a new series of books known as the Bloodline Trilogy by yours truly have been announced. The three novels follow the uniquely magical journey of one family through time. Books in the trilogy include Bloodfrost, Bloodlust and Blood & Soul.

Bloodfrost will be released on Tuesday, 12 June 2012. The novel will be available in Kindle and Nook editions.

To read more, click here.

An official web site for the Bloodline Trilogy was also launched today. To visit the new site, click here.

I began writing Bloodfrost last November, inspired by personal events as well as fanciful dreams. Who wouldn't like to awaken to discover all their physical ailments gone in one fell swoop?

However, life is never that easy, is it? My character soon learns there is a heavy price to pay for her sudden good fortune, which will come back to haunt her in the many years to come.

Typo Time

Proofing copy of the first book in my upcoming but as-yet-unnamed trilogy:

It's not as bad as it looks! I'm not a natural typist - my thumbs always seem to get in the way – so typos are a given. Most of the errors are silly but simple (form instead of from; sued instead of used, etc).

Lucky for me, the fixes have been minor so far.

By the way, look for an official announcement about my new trilogy next week…

Books Buzz

I just received word from my publisher that Enthrallment, book four in the Collective Obsessions Saga, will be released in late June or early July. I wasn't expecting the novel to come out until August or September, so I'm very happy about the early release date.

I also have tentative plans to release the first book in my upcoming but as-yet-unnamed trilogy (unrelated to Collective Obsessions) on June 30th, so my summer is turning out to be very busy indeed!

Pen Stroke @ Noon

With the stroke of a pen (or is it keyboard?), the first book in my upcoming but as-yet-unnamed trilogy was completed around noon today. I started writing the book off-and-on last November, so it took me about six months to finish.

I'm not sure how to describe what finishing a book feels like, only that it's a mixture of relief, sadness and accomplishment with lots of surprise thrown in. It's similar to disbelief and happy elation (copping the phrase "I did it!"), accompanied by utter amazement that I was able to pull it off again. Plotting a storyline and writing a book to the very end is not something I ever take lightly or for granted. As I've learned the hard way, creative spurts are known to vanish into thin air without a moment's notice and when you least expect it.

Now comes the fun part – editing not just once but several times over - and then again and again if necessary. The book came to 140 pages (77,082 words), which is one of my shortest works when compared with the others. As I've said before, I prefer reading and writing long novels, so writing book one in the new trilogy was rather a first for me. Fun, but still a first. However, it works for the storyline. The end leaves off well, allowing me to blend into the second book in the trilogy rather seamlessly. At the moment, my loose time frame puts the finish of the second novel around Halloween.

As soon as I've finished editing, I'll give over more details about the new trilogy. I'm eyeing a release date of June 30th for the first book in Kindle and Nook formats, but making no promises.

Trilogy Hint #3

I just wrote-in my first "crossover" character today as part of the first book in my new trilogy. It was kind of fun because I never contemplated doing such a thing when I began writing the trilogy almost six months ago. It just happened to fit in with what I was writing this morning, giving me a chuckle and making me wonder if anyone will catch it down the line.

The character is completely incidental and only has a few brief scenes. While the Collective Obsessions Saga and my new trilogy have absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with each other, the particular character does make an appearance in Hearts Desires as well.

Trilogy Hint #2

According to the flexible outline I developed months ago, there will be about fifteen chapters – give or take – in the first book of my upcoming but as-yet-unnamed trilogy.

I just started writing chapter ten this morning. I'm sort of getting a bit giddy, to be honest, as the pre-plotted ends approaches. When I began the book last November, I had no idea it would progress in storyline and volume as quickly as it has. Some might think six months is not quick enough, but emerging twists for scenes and dialogue have kept me going back to fill in a few of the blanks.

I've also prepped a brief press release, which should be coming to light sometime in May.

Gulp!

Trilogy Hint #1

I just gathered gobs of research material about Boston in regards to my upcoming but as-yet-unnamed trilogy. It's the only hint I can give for now…

I hope to provide more details before June, but in the meantime little clues here and there will have to do.

Midnight Churnings

The strangest thing happened to me last Friday. I was working on the first book in my new-but-as-yet-unnamed trilogy – a long day which began around four in the morning and started winding down around ten at night – when I suddenly received a spurt of inspiration for the second story in the trilogy. I was dead-tired, with a splitting headache to boot, but rather than crawl off to bed I created a new document and began putting my inspiration to text.

I already know how all three books will begin and end in my head, but so far have only been writing steadily on the first story. Switching gears to start work on the second book is out of character for me, but I decided to go with the flow. Needless to say, my long day grew even longer but before I knew it I had the first chapter written for Book #2.

"Before I knew it" is a relative term, actually, because I didn't hit the hay until well after two in the morning - two hours short of being up and adam for twenty-four hours. May the saints preserve me!

However, I'm very happy with the results of my "sudden" inspiration for Book #2.  It makes me all the more eager to continue and finish all three stories, sleep be damned…

Writing Habits

When I began developing my new-but-as-yet-unnamed trilogy last November, I wasn't sure it would go beyond the planning stage even after I created a general outline. The premise of the story is based on a dream I've frequently experienced over the last few years, which has rarely varied in its appearance.  While I don't entertain every story idea that pops into my head, I try to keep track of random thoughts just in case they grow larger in substance from my jotted post-it notes and scribbles on the back of envelopes.

"Book One" in the new trilogy is nearing the halfway mark, so I hope to have a completed first draft before summertime. As is my habit, I handwrite at night (on quadrille paper) and then input my notes during the day. I'm not a natural typist, so I find my quirky writing habits the easiest way in which to manage content.  In addition, typing from my notes sometimes gives me new ideas for the story as I go or makes obvious necessary cuts (ouch!) that need to be made. There must be a method to my madness, because the specific writing process has always worked quite well for me.

Another strange habit of mine is to create characters which seem to have no place in the storyline at first, but as my writing progresses their function suddenly becomes very clear. It's as if their purpose is settled into the back of my brain for a reason, which only becomes evident as I move the story along. I know it sounds odd, but creative epiphanies have always happened that way for me whether it's for character development or storyline details.

I'm not normally a big fan of science fiction or supernatural genres as a whole, but my new trilogy does contain elements of the unknown. They are not necessarily other-worldly in the sense of their appearance, yet they are part of the main character's oft-had dreams that insinuate themselves into the first storyline. Her experiences have a domino effect, which flow over into the second and third books in the trilogy.

I realize I'm being a tad vague about the new trilogy, but I'm not ready to reveal too much just yet – at least not before I finish the first story. As I said before, the books will not be as lengthy as the novels found in the Collective Obsessions Saga. The trilogy titles will probably run 200-300 pages per book, which is definitely short-fiction to me.

Time will tell. As with all fiction works, it's not over until the final manuscript gets a seal of approval. Anything can happen from now until then…

Leisure Time

I've been immersed in writing the last few weeks, the story and words for my new trilogy often coming faster than I can get them handwritten or typed on the page. The current burst is a good thing, so I'm not complaining.

However, I'm allowing myself some leisure time as well. A few weeks ago I was in my local paperback exchange - my intent was to find a good copy of Pride & Prejudice - when I noticed a prominent display of the Twilight Saga books. To be honest, I was never drawn to the films or the books before, not being a big fan of vampire and/or werewolf tales (other than Dark Shadows, of course).

I'm also in the habit of steering clear of "stampede" entertainment, not the least bit interested in current vogues for the most part, but seeing the $2 price tag of Twilight in the paperback exchange convinced me to give the book a whirl.

I wasn't too thrilled with the writing style (rather choppy but that's part of the charm I think), yet I loved the unique storyline. In keeping with my all-consuming personality, I went ahead and bought the other books in the saga ($10 for New Moon, Eclipse and Breaking Dawn), and finished them within three days. I'm surprised - but happy - to report I found the novels very entertaining and well-worth the time to read.

FX Networks recently ran the Twilight movie on TV, which I watched and rather enjoyed. I'm not among "Twihard" fans by any means, but when the rest of the films come on television, I will probably watch them. Now that I know how the saga ends, the movies will likely be great fun.

That being said, please let me qualify that my novel The Twilight (named such fifteen years ago and due for release by Club Lighthouse Publishing in 2013), has absolutely nothing to do with vampires, werewolves or the like, but rather the sunset years of a long relationship.

Creative Detour

My literary intentions turn serious when I finally relent and create a spreadsheet for a book or series of books that previously stood as mere notions. Putting together details about characters and places typically indicates a specific story is progressing beyond a flickering idea and needs to be organized, at least in my case.

Several months ago I began toying with ideas for a new trilogy. The stories have no relation to the Collective Obsessions Anthology, and in fact are so far removed they will undoubtedly surprise a few people. In addition, the books will not be as lengthy.

I felt guilty at first because the new ideas took over and forced me to set aside work on Glinhaven, which I’m writing under my primary pseudonym Deborah O'Toole. However, there comes a point in the life of an author when one cannot deny creative callings, no matter which direction they happen to travel.

While I'm not prepared to reveal much about the new trilogy at present, I can say the storylines for all three books are already mapped out in my head with a dramatic ending to boot. It's kind of amazing how inspiration works and produces a complete story in the human noggin. For most writers, the flash of a "total package" is all-too infrequent. I've learned over the years to pay close attention to such happenings.

Never fear, Glinhaven is not forgotten. I also love that storyline with an ending already envisioned. It's just a matter of finding the time to write as well as modifying the "release" date.

But, as with all my other projects, it will be finished.

Book Cover Lovers

The first three titles in the Collective Obsessions Saga are being featured on Book Cover Lovers today:

• Passion Forsaken
• Quixotic Crossings
• The Twain Shall Meet

Please Note: Prior to seeing cover previews, a "Content Warning" may be displayed to advise "the blog that you are about to view may contain content only suitable for adults." Not to worry, the images are just book covers for the titles mentioned above. Simply click "I understand and wish to continue."

Book Cover Lovers is a web site which spotlights various books and their covers, with links to author information and purchase options.

Thanks to my publisher Club Lighthouse for the heads-up!

Books & Boards

I recently joined yet another social networking site, although this time it's a place where the focus is on images. According to Wikipedia:

Pinterest is a vision board-styled social photo sharing website. The website and app allow users to create and manage theme-based image collections. The site's mission statement is to "connect everyone in the world through the 'things' they find interesting."

I've decided to use the "pin-boards" to highlight books in the Collective Obsessions Saga, naturally.  The boards feature cover art, of course, but also display various images which inspired physical aspects of fictional characters within the novels.

As I've stated many times before, I mapped out a detailed family tree to avoid inconsistencies throughout "Collective Obsessions" and created spreadsheets to track character quirks and descriptions. The books became one enormous project which involved more than twenty years of writing and research, with several pit-stops in between as I carried out my own life. At various times through the long haul, the spreadsheets were done in Word Star, Word Perfect and now Microsoft Word – which is probably more telling of my age than of the lengthy writing process.

Since I'm a writer often inspired by images, my spreadsheet for "Collective Obsessions" became naturally larger as time progressed, but also included thumbnail pictures of people I felt represented my fictional characterizations. The images were not indicative of true personality traits of real people by a long shot, but rather a general idea of what I envisioned as the “outer shell” of each character. For instance, I based John Larkin's appearance on actor David Selby, who portrayed Quentin Collins in the Dark Shadows television serial. The physical aspects of Mayor David Azoulay, who appears in Hearts Desires, The Twilight and Megan'sLegacy, was inspired by Mark Feuerstein, star of the USA Network series RoyalPains. Colm and Mike Sullivan, who are described as closely resembling one another in the various storylines, are based on Jason Connery as he appeared in Robin of Sherwood.

Each major character had their own snapshot, which rarely changed over the course of the years.

Thanks to Pinterest, I'm now able to share the mind's-eye images of my fictional characters. As each book in the "Collective Obsessions Anthology" is released by Club Lighthouse Publishing through 2013, I will continue to add photos to the individual pin-boards.

Be that as it may, I would like to emphasize that all eight books in the Collective ObsessionsAnthology are works of fiction. Any resemblance to actual persons living or dead is purely co-incidental.

And thanks to the author forum at FictionWriters Guild (FWG) for leading me to Pinterest in the first place!