I’ve been working on a new series for the last few months featuring a character named Dylan Cold. Book 3 in the series was just drafted as part of NaNoWriMo and all told I’ve written about 200,000 words in four months. Needless to say, I am immersed in this character; or at least I thought I was.
When I’m working on a new story my whole family is peripherally involved. I’ll ask them for help jogging my memory about places we’ve gone and things we’ve seen together that are impacting my characters. Depending on the scene I’ll read bits to my wife Jen or one of our kids and ask if it sounds realistic. They love to talk with me about my books and it is one of the real joys of this career I’ve chosen.
The other day while we were driving from basketball practice my twelve year old daughter asked “What sign is Dylan?”
I was stumped.
I have spent so much time in Dylan’s head that I thought I knew every little thing about him. This question made me realize that I didn’t even know his birthday. So I described him to her; strong and self assured, obsessive, righteous, deep thinker and extremely loyal. She probed and pried to learn more and one of my sons that was in the car asked questions too.
Eventually a decision was rendered, “Oh he’s an Aquarius for sure.” my daughter announced. My son gave him birthday, January 29th, and we all got to know Dylan a little better.
In mid-December American Lease, the first book in the Dylan Cold series will be available. I hope you will read it and see if you agree that Dylan is an Aquarius.
