Edith/Maddie here. Let’s talk this week about how our protagonists like to celebrate.
We’ve been talking about how we, the Wicked Authors, celebrate. But how about our main characters? When your protag has something exciting happen, how does she – or would she – celebrate? Is there a fictional celebration you’re looking forward to writing?
Sherry: Hmmmm, I don’t think my characters do a lot of celebrating. I need to fix that! They are usually so relieved the murderer has been caught that that in itself is a celebration. However, I’m going to make sure they start popping some sparkling wine with loved ones!
Jessie: Like me, my characters seem to have a fondness for celebrating. Edwina often buys special skeins of yarn or a new hat to mark an occasion. Beryl invites people over for a game of cards and whips up a batch of Gin Fizzes.
Julie: The Garden Squad celebrates by being together. Sometimes, most of the time, it’s with food. But at the end of Wreathing Havoc I have them celebrating by standing in a circle and cheering for each other. I love gatherings and celebrations in cozies–it drives home the warm feelings of the genre.
Liz: I don’t think my characters do enough celebrating either. When they do it’s usually food-related too. Maybe I need to get them having more fun…
Edith/Maddie: Julie, I love that circle of cheering. I had so much writing Robbie Jordan’s wedding at the end of No Grater Crime. Now that was a celebration! But you can’t have a pig roast and dancing in the barn for every small occasion. Robbie and Adele tend to sit around and celebrate with a little Four Roses bourbon, and Mac gathers with the book group and food.
Barb: Many of the Maine Clambake books and novellas end with a gathering, at the Snowden Family Clambake if the story is set in the summer, or at Julia’s mother’s house if it is not. Jane Darrowfield might have a nice dinner with her boyfriend, Harry, and after any adventure she does a complete post mortem with her bridge group.
Readers: How do you think our characters should celebrate? Writers – what do your characters do?