tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post6003588934309951169..comments2024-03-29T05:53:38.691-04:00Comments on Writers Who Kill: FINDING CHARACTERS IN OBITUARIESJim Jacksonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-13449508547339439582013-07-11T16:04:47.808-04:002013-07-11T16:04:47.808-04:00Actually, Kara, except for ideas for a character&#...Actually, Kara, except for ideas for a character's back story, I haven't used them for my books, but I'm thinking it would be good for a short story. Actually, I have clipped out a few and many have led inspiring lives - or not. It will depend on what kind of character I want to write. Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-18750524615041069802013-07-11T14:46:55.850-04:002013-07-11T14:46:55.850-04:00I do read the obituaries, Gloria. It’s fascinating...I do read the obituaries, Gloria. It’s fascinating and inspiring what people have done with their lives. I haven’t written a mystery based on somebody I read about but I have picked up ideas for a character’s backstory. I should try your idea of developing a character to fit into a mystery. Great idea!Kara Cerisehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16484336785514235707noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-75595599227691661692013-07-11T13:45:13.966-04:002013-07-11T13:45:13.966-04:00Georgia, like you, I probably read more obituaries...Georgia, like you, I probably read more obituaries now than when I was younger because I've lived in this area all my life and have a lot of extended family and friends And you're right that funerals are like family reunions. Also,as my dad was fond of saying, I read them to make sure I'm not there. <br /><br />Sarah, Warren and Paula, I don't often get my characters there, but I do wonder about the people I read about and what were they like - at least some of them. I'll never forget the obit that the only attribute given to their mother was "She loved to clean." So sad. That is one thing that will never be said about me. :-)<br /><br />Shari, I like cemeteries, too. I'm always curious about the people there especially if they have an epitaph that says a little more about them.<br /><br />KM, I love what you've done with this obituary. Very creative. How funny that Alex is going to benefit, too. You are very creative. I use the phone book, too, especially if I'm looking for a last name with a certain letter because I don't want to cause character confusion.<br /><br />Your take on poor Eileen is quite gruesome, Pat. I'd say short but sweet, except there's nothing sweet about It. :-)Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-69775896209621909202013-07-11T11:41:37.305-04:002013-07-11T11:41:37.305-04:00I don't read a newspaper and have never read o...I don't read a newspaper and have never read obits. The funeral home put my husband's obit in, the free version, which is short and to the point, and one of his sisters is still mad that I didn't mention her in it. I dislike all that stuff anyway, but you know me Gloria. :)I never have problems with names.<br />If I were writing a story, the first line would be:<br />The stake sticking out of Eileen's heart caused some consternation for the person who found her body, but it was joke time for the cops and pure terror for the morgue attendant who managed to remove it. <br />PatgPatghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01046665022709722606noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-41119106000106627632013-07-11T10:30:39.203-04:002013-07-11T10:30:39.203-04:00Great idea!
I think Eileen was a "babe,"...Great idea!<br /><br />I think Eileen was a "babe," married to a much older man who thought her scatter-brained ways were adorable and loved to take care of her. He had a fair amount of money put in life trusts for her as long as she did not remarry. When he died, she let Alex move in and live off her as long as he took care of her in the same way. Alex did it willingly, but it's a tough way to make a living. Eileen wrote a will leavig everything she had to Alex, but it wasn't much, because most of the money was in life trusts. <br /> <br />She took up genealogy, but in her usual haphazard way. Alex gritted his teeth & delved into the project to keep her happy. He was amazed to discover that she had been placed with the Sutleys as an infant,having been born illegitamately to a 16 year old cousin of Mrs. Sutley, but never legally adopted. In fact, her father was a wealthy industrialist who provided support until she reached 18 and married. He did not want to be known, since obviously the relationship with the mother was statutory rape, and he didn't want that information made public. He manipulated the introduction that resulted in Eileen's marriage.<br /><br />Armed with that information, Alex discovers that Eileen is, in fact, heir to a significant fortune from her biological father, who is also deceased. <br /><br />For first names, I use a "naming your baby" book. For last names, I often use the phone book.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-46156556883160916282013-07-11T10:21:30.717-04:002013-07-11T10:21:30.717-04:00In our little county paper, the obituaries are on ...In our little county paper, the obituaries are on the second page. Definitely a must-read because funerals are family reunions. So many of the neighbors have had roots here for generations. Attendance at a wake might generate interesting stories. Thanks for the plot idea, Gloria. Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06132868985560402724noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-21533015108358394902013-07-11T10:00:55.442-04:002013-07-11T10:00:55.442-04:00Obits are a great place for finding names, as are ...Obits are a great place for finding names, as are cemeteries. Love a good stroll in an old cemetery.Shari Randallhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16425493627354028820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-47765272064687117622013-07-11T09:43:03.452-04:002013-07-11T09:43:03.452-04:00Like Jim , I've read obituaries with interest ...Like Jim , I've read obituaries with interest and learned from them, but have not used them to build characters. Thanks for this idea.Paula Gail Bensonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08843350597811462936noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-25462284228238134782013-07-11T09:27:17.130-04:002013-07-11T09:27:17.130-04:00This is a new idea for me. Thanks, I'll try i...This is a new idea for me. Thanks, I'll try it out.Warren Bullhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07789270258599769915noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-75579552636404766932013-07-11T09:18:42.911-04:002013-07-11T09:18:42.911-04:00I love this idea. As a former newspaper copy edito...I love this idea. As a former newspaper copy editor, I've read a lot of obituaries in my day, but I've never thought of using them for character development or descriptions. Genius!Sarah Henninghttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06822639126179367121noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-69711998248645956662013-07-11T08:58:25.818-04:002013-07-11T08:58:25.818-04:00I've seen some really over the top obituaries ...I've seen some really over the top obituaries paid for by survivors who would have you believe their loved one should be canonized and/or receive the Nobel Peace prize or better yet have a movie made of their life. And then there are those that have only the necessary bare bones making one wonder if they were really such a nonentity. Mostly I just use them for names when I'm trying to find one I've never used yet.Gloria Aldenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13581719606924364447noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-993649290245605005.post-73431761537134639152013-07-11T06:48:16.496-04:002013-07-11T06:48:16.496-04:00It's an interesting approach, but one I have n...It's an interesting approach, but one I have not used for character development.<br /><br />On our local radio station, they have a daily obituary report sponsored by the local funeral homes. Always interesting to see what is said about each individual.<br /><br />~ JimJim Jacksonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15090252530437277145noreply@blogger.com