It's a shame that the other characters don't know Fynn, or you could use Homer Simpson's advice regarding 'Poochy' in the 'Itchy and Scratchy Show':

"Whenever Poochy is not on the screen, all of the characters should go 'where is Poochy?' Until he arrives."

But either way, my suggestion is about as much use as a chocolate teapot.

Seriously though, what's going on in his life before he arrives at the hotel? He doesn't have to be there initially for you to write about him. Alternate chapters between what's going on at the hotel and Fynn, until you bring them together about a quarter of the way through?

(Though reading through the rest of the thread seems you may have found an answer - good luck with it.)

All the best,

Ben

Do you have a title yet Dee? Are you going to post it up here?

I'll have to catch up with TWH, as I did get pretty far it in and thought it was ace. Seems I'm not the only one, which is a great indicator. I don't think you'll have much problem getting it published.

I like the idea of Fynn being there in the first chapter, and interspersing his story with the hotel story. I think that will work better.

JB

Ben, thanks for that… Poochy eh?

JB, yes I have a title, but I'm keeping under wraps at the moment. I will start posting it when it’s written. At the moment it’s only notes and a few snippets. It could be a while but when I do, I’ll FORCE you to read it!

Dee

Well, I went to read some more TWH, but it seems to have vanished!

Jb

Sorry, JB. I took it off ages ago.

I'm not interested in your need to be nude in public places Dee! I wanted to read the rest of the story!!!

crossing fingers for you Dee! good luck!

Thanks Jai. Much appreciated.

x

Dee,

Back to the actor business. (Wednesdays are busy days for me: no school in France)
I got the impression that Fynn, as a character, was key to your story so I wanted a snapshot in shorthand of the kind of person he was and I thought that choosing an actor might give me that rather than asking you for a long explanation. If you had given me Jack Nicholson or Hugh Grant, for example, I would have a very different impression of Fynn.

As it happens, I have only seen James Caviezel in 'The Passion of Christ' so my knowledge of him is limited but is Fynn anything like this?

Mid thirties, single, finds it difficult to commit but even he doesn't understand why.
Charismatic but retiring; a reluctant hero.
Handsome in an unconventional way but totally oblivious to it.
Not a big talker.
Humour wouldn't be his strong point but he appreciates it in others.
Popular with others but a loner.
At a party tends to get drawn to the centre of things but would actually rather be on the outskirts, enjoying it as an observer.

This may be entirely wrong and I would certainly keep an open mind on his character if I read your book but that's the rough-draft image that I have at the moment.

Ashlinn

Ashlinn, all I was thinking about was the similar appearance and age.

Nothing else is relevant because JC is an actor. I’m not, not for one second, suggesting that Fynn is in any way similar to Christ… or to James Caviezel for that matter.

Dee

Dee,

I was just testing an idea. I know that you are not comparing him to either of the JCs but I wondered if the choice of actor conjured up other psychological associations. Obviously it didn't work.

Ashlinn

Ashlinn, the only link is that he matches my vision of Fynn’s appearance. I do know that he is a devout Catholic, so they’re poles apart in that respect. Fynn is pagan.

I couldn’t begin to think of a real person who matches Fynn’s personality. He’s not real. I made him up – in which case I would be worried if I could bring a real man to mind… I would worry that I'd copied someone!

Dee

Dee,

I didn't make any reference to religion but I'm sorry if I've offended. I'm sure you've done a fabulous job with characterisation judging from the level of enthusiasm.

And how about Georgia? Who would she look like? She's a little uptight isn't she...

JB