Let’s name some characters
Every JP Weiscarver book I’ve written has come about in ways that distinguish it from the others.
For the eighth, instead of writing right off, as has often happened, I felt it more important to get a better grasp of where it was going. Actually, a better grasp of how it would get there. And I decided I really wanted to have the title nailed down first.
I’ll reveal that after we name six characters in the book.
Another first! While I’ve held competitions to name one or more characters in every book, I’ve never done it this early and certainly not for six of them.
First, be aware I’m not deeply interested in background stories; most of those are already lined out in my notes. That being said, feel free to contribute anything you’d like, particularly personal tidbits, as I might work them in somewhere. All of these characters will play sizeable roles in the story. I suspect each nomination will include names for both husband and wife. Suggest names for one couple or up to all three.
Here’s what I’m looking at:
No. 1, female, married to No. 2. Semi-retired. She retired after 20 years in the Army as a unit supply specialist. After that, she wrote romance novels.
No. 2, male, married to No. 1. Retired private detective. Think real world PI, not the TV type.
No. 3, female, married to No. 4. Mostly retired nurse, now working occasional short stints to keep current and make traveling money.
No. 4, male, married to No. 3. Retired middle school principal, a self-proclaimed expert on suspicious actions. “I don’t believe you’re telling me the whole truth.”
No. 5, female, married to No. 6. Retired mall gift store manager. With years of managing teen-age and young adult employees, she understands where No. 4 is coming from.
No. 6, male, married to No. 5. Retired after having numerous different jobs. Most recently worked six years as a security guard. Now really into gardening.
The payoff
As always, those who submit names I use will be acknowledged in the book and will receive an autographed paperback when it comes out.
Submit your suggestions in the comment box here, post it on the Facebook post, message it to me, or email it. Carrier pigeon would probably be too late.
Steve Martaindale 
No. 5, Fran, is a no-nonsense kind of woman. Managing employees fine-tuned her ear when listening to excuses about why a person could not come to work. She is able to filter out bs when she hears it. Now that she’s retired, she spends a lot of time with her horses. She has also volunteered at the local middle school in the past, where she got to know No. 4. They often shared thoughts about local events and people.
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Thanks, Judy! What is Fran’s last name? And maybe you heard her mention her husband’s name?
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Her husband is Robert Wunder.
Sent from my iPhone
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Thank you!
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Number 3, retired nurse, Dorothy Bernhardt, often called Dot. She nursed in New York City as a private duty nurse–hmm, one could say perhaps a hospice nurse, since private duty doesn’t exist any more–and then moved away from the city. Works in a small local hospital a couple of nights a month, but is itching to go on a long trip across Canada, camping along the way. That husband, Tom, doesn’t sound like any fun, so she’ll probably figure out a way to go on the trip with a friend instead of with him. He’s no fan of camping anyway.
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Thanks for kicking us off, Connie.
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