Amelia's Interview 06/08/2011
Dear friends, I signed up for a blog chain with some fellow writers from my romance chapter. This post is based on a predetermined topic - one of my characters interviews me. The character I chose is a female composer from my steampunk romance. Her name is Amelia. I hope you enjoy this entry. I enter a Victorian parlor that is decorated in rose tones and ornately carved mahogany furnishings. The lower half of an olive green Victorian gown protrudes from the belly of a piano. A couple of inches above the floor, two pale bare feet dangle from the ankle length hem like clappers of a bell. “Hello?” I keep my voice quiet as to not startle the woman buried waist deep in the piano. The woman bangs her head on the underside of the lid upon hearing my voice. Wiggling backward, she maneuvers out of the instrument’s cavity. Knitting needles and hairpins are grasped in her right hand. As I come closer, I notice several other knitting needles woven between many of the bass strings and hairpins wound around some of the treble strings. The pretty young woman presses her left palm against the crown of her head and squints. In spite of her grimace, her natural beauty is stunning. An enviable pile of loose curls falls to her waist and her magnolia skin is flushed. I suspect she’s embarrassed to have been found in such a precarious position. Her smile is infectious as she gives me a sheepish look while rubbing her noggin. “Hello. You must be Lyla Dune. I’m Amelia Wilcot.” She places the needles and pins on a nearby table and moves toward me with her hand extended. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting you for weeks. I can’t believe I allowed myself to get so swept up in my new composition that I lost all track of time. How rude I must seem. “ We shake hands. “Not rude at all. I understand completely.” I assure her. “It’s wonderful to meet you, Amelia. I’d love to hear one of your compositions.” Her bright green eyes twinkle as her cheeks dimple even deeper. “I’d be happy to play something for you later. I so seldom get the opportunity to share my work. Women aren’t encouraged to be composers in my generation, as you know.” “Yes. I’ve read about that. It’s a pity.” “Let’s sit by the fire; shall we?” With a sweep of her long fingered, delicate hand, she motions toward two wing back chairs by the hearth. “Looks very inviting.” I follow her over to the chairs and we sit facing each other. While nervously smoothing her skirt, she tucks her bare feet out of sight. “I’m so grateful for the opportunity to interview a female musician from your era. Fate was certainly on my side when this meeting was arranged.” “I’m equally delighted.” I can’t deny I feel an immediate connection between Amelia and myself. A mechanical hummingbird whizzes past my line of vision and lands on Amelia’s shoulder. She removes a scroll from the bird’s beak and reads silently. Looking up with a lopsided grin, she says, “Tessa can’t stand it. She saw you arrive and is begging to come over and join us.” Amelia scribbles something on the scroll with a quill, places the scroll back in the bird’s beak, and twists the bird’s tail three times. The bird flies out of the room, squeaking as its wings flutter hurriedly. “I told her she could join us after the interview. “ “Wonderful. From everything I’ve read about Tessa, she’s a lot of fun.” “Fun is definitely a word I’d use to describe her. “ She picks up a notebook from the side table and opens it. “I’ve so many questions. I’m not sure what to ask first. Perhaps you could tell me about yourself and we can go from there.” “Sure. I’m a writer from the year 2011. I’ll soon be forty-five years old. I’ve been married to a wonderful man for twelve years. He spoils me rotten and I love it. We have no children or pets, but for the past few years have been caretakers of my father. My dad is very much like a big kid.” Amelia smiles and interjects. “And your mother?” “She passed when I was a child.” “Oh, I’m sorry to hear that. My mother also passed away while I was very young.” “We have a lot in common.” “Yes. It seems so, except I’m missing that husband who spoils me rotten.” “Oh, I didn’t meet him until I was in my thirties. You have plenty of time.” “I hope you’re right.” “I am. In addition to having a great marriage, I teach music and write songs and stories.” “Have you ever had any of your music published?” “No. I’ve never pursued the songwriting as I should. When I graduated from college I went to Nashville and came across several so called publishers who were far from trustworthy. That one trip to music row made me change my mind about becoming a songwriter. I decided to stay in Wilmington, NC, close to home and teach school and I’m glad I did. I’ll be able to retire soon and then I may give songwriting another chance.” “So you haven’t been writing music for several years?” “Oh, I write music often, I just keep it to myself.” “Sounds like me.” “Yes, but I do it by choice, not because society has placed restrictions upon me.” “But music is something that should be shared with others.” “You’re right. I should perform it or share it with friends at least.” “Yes, you should. If no one hears the songs you create, it’s like a piece of your identity is missing, like you’ll never be whole until that part of you finds a home in someone else’s heart. At least that is how it feels to me.” God, there’s nothing like someone holding a mirror up to you and making you see yourself. She’s so right. If I can blog and write, surely I can make some recordings of my music and share it. “I think I’ve been putting that part of myself into my poetry and stories for the past few years.” “Have you published any of those.” “Yes. I’ve published lots of poems and several stories. I’m working on a few novels now.” “Books?” “Yes.” “Women in your generation can do anything.” “Very true, Amelia. Sometimes I forget how fortunate I am to have the opportunities I do.” “I do hope you’ll take full advantage of them.” “Speaking with you today has inspired me to make better use of my time, that’s for sure.” “What kind of books do you write?” “Currently I’m working on a couple of romance novels.” “Romance! I love romance, the dream of it, the passion and sanctuary found in that one special person that binds themselves to you forever.” “It is magical.” “Precisely. Magical, indeed. “ She leans forward. “May I read one of your books?” “When I’m finished, you may.” “You aren’t finished with any?” “No. I keep getting sidetracked and leaving things undone.” “Why?” “Good question.” “Are you afraid of finishing? Afraid what you create won’t be as good as you dream?” “Perhaps, but mostly, Amelia, I think it is lack of discipline on my part and having to take a close look at myself right now is making me acutely aware of how little I’m doing to make my dreams come true. I feel a sudden urge to tackle some of those unfinished projects.” “I’m glad. Don’t let me stop you. I have only a few more measures of my latest composition to finish. Let’s continue this interview when we’re both done with our current projects.” “That sounds like an excellent suggestion. Let’s get to work and come back together at a later date and discuss our completed work.” “Excellent. Message me when you’re done.” “I will and thank you, Amelia. You’ve ignited a fire I had let dwindle.” She smiles and fades from view. I stare at the computer screen with new eyes that see the blank page as an opportunity to make a dream come true, instead of a chore to be done. It’s time to get to work, nationals are only a few weeks away and I want to have something completed before I board that plane for New York. Order of Blog Chain Participants: Aimee Laine Lyla Dune (me) Carol Strickland Amy Corwin Lilly Gayle Rebekkah Niles Laura Browning Andris Bear Marcia Colette Nancy Badger Sarah Makela Jennifer Harrington Scott Berger Comments06/08/2011 15:22
What a great conversation--and I totally loved the mechanical hummingbird. What a charming "addition". 06/09/2011 01:01
That was great! You revealed a part of yourself that so many struggle with. The "I love writing, but don't share it." or "I have a talent but keep it to myself." I hope Amelia has inspired you not only to finish your novels, but to get out there with some of your music. :) I really love your character here, too. Her voice came through very well. :) Marcia A. 06/09/2011 01:57
You're writing is wonderful. You must share it! The rest of us must be missing so much! The line you wrote about a looking at a blank page being an opportunity for your dream instead of a chore to be done is so true. I tend to put my writing on my list of things to do and unfortunately it sometimes falls to the end. I wonder if I thought of it more as an opportunity then a "I need to get this done" maybe that blank page won't be so bad or the scene that I can't seem to write, won't be so bad. You've given me some things to think about. Thanks!! 06/09/2011 06:29
A fun interview! We learned more about you and definitely want to know more about the book! (What is Amelia doing with that piano, exactly? And who is Tessa? :D ) A great reminder also about not letting opportunities pass us by. Thanks! 06/09/2011 10:44
Great interview. I learned so much about you and your character. But now I'm curious... A mechanical hummingbird in Victorian Times. Sounds very Wild-Wild West (Will Smith's version) or Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.'s version.) I'm very intriqued. I love, love, loved Jule's Vern and to me, steampunk is Jule's with a dash of romance added. Wish I had the nerve to attempt writing it! Thank you so much, Scott, Amy, Aimiee, Lilly, Jennifer, Marcia. I'm so glad to hear the hummingbird was a success and this interview triggered your interest in my current steampunk novel. Also, thanks for all the personal comments about getting to know me better and the ease of the conversation presented. This was fun and I look forward to reading your posts! 06/10/2011 05:09
Yes, loved the hummingbird! I've only read "The Iron Duke" as steampunk and was very impressed by the worldbuilding there. I can see why it's such a popular genre. 06/10/2011 14:34
I only recently learned the definition of Steampunk, and I'm totally intrigued! Great job! 06/13/2011 04:42
Great interview! ^_^ I really want to see what she was doing with those knitting needles... And I also enjoyed the little hummingbird. Keep working on writing! I want to see some of your books out in print. Steampunk is a fascinating genre, and I can't wait until it becomes mainstream (which I'm sure it will, soon enough.) Leave a Reply |    ArchivesCategories |
RSS Feed