I’m so pleased to have Robin Lee Hatcher start off another week 
of Who’s Got Character, where some of your favorite authors let us know who their favorite characters are and the behind-the-scenes story behind those characters.
Award winning novelist and author of wonderful books like Catching Katie and Wagered Heart. One of her most gifted abilities as a writer is to create memorable characters, feisty heroines and lovable heroes. I can’t wait to find out who her favorites are.
Who is your favorite hero &/or heroine from any book you’ve written (They don’t have to be from the same novel) and why are they your favorites?
I’m glad you didn’t ask for a favorite book. Can’t ever pick one of those. They are all favorites for different reasons. But I do have some favorite characters (actually quite a few of them if I begin making a list).
One favorite heroine would be from my newest release (Fit To Be Tied), Cleo Arlington. And I would have to name the hero from the same book, Sherwood Statham, as a favorite hero, mostly because he was just the right guy for Cleo.
What is the behind-the-scenes story behind these two 
characters? Where did you get your ideas for them?
Cleo sprang into my head pretty much as she is in the pages of my book. She wasn’t inspired by anyone I know.
As for Woody, he came to me a little more slowly. But he too is a figment of my imagination. He wasn’t fashioned after anyone in particular.
When I came up with the premise for the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs Series, I knew that I wanted one of the twins to be a perfect lady and the other to be an imperfect tomboy. Gwen was the lady, and Cleo was the tomboy, a bronco-busting, pants-wearing, cow-roping cowgirl. Throughout the writing of Gwen’s story (
A Vote of Confidence), I kept tryin
g to figure out who would be the hero in Cleo’s story. I assumed, as Cleo did, that her perfect guy would be a cowboy. And then I “met” Sherwood Statham, youngest son of a duke, an English aristocrat who was anything
but a cowboy. Cleo and Sherwood were complete opposites. I knew that watching them come together would be a great ride. And it was.
Ooo, thanks so much Robin. And if you all haven’t read her new novel Fit to Be Tied, it is fantastic.
Character Creation Tip:
“Don’t take the characters where they want to go.”
Just as Robin mentioned, she gave her character Cleo someone she didn’t expect, someone she would have never chosen, and that one decision made the story come to life. When you develop a character, brainstorm about some of the most unlikely combinations of heroes or heroines for that character to meet. That choice can make your story explode with possibilities.
Tomorrow?
Stop in tomorrow for some Southern hospitatlity with Missy Tippens.
I haven’t had a chance to get the books in her latest series yet but they are on my wishlist! I have LOVED every book by Robin that I’ve read, my favorite is probably Catching Katie! Thanks for another great interview Pepper! 🙂
xoxo~ Renee
Thanks, Pepper, for allowing me to participate on your blog with my characters from Fit To Be Tied. And I’m delighted you enjoyed this book so much.
Renee, if your favorite book is Catching Katie, then I think you’ll really enjoy the Sisters of Bethlehem Springs books. The time period is the same (WWI) and the heroines have that same headstrong attitude of Katie (definitely one of my favorite heroines).