Valentine’s Day is the perfect day for Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction – The Romance. Is the romance between Charlie and James fact or fiction? Since that question is multifaceted, we’ll take a look at its parts.
The Hero and Heroine
The actual hero and heroine are inspired by real people. Writers envision who their characters look like and often keep a photo handy of these characters to keep them on track. The photo can be a snapshot of people they know, or a photo of a popular actor or actress or … .
Search Beyond Lies: Fact or Fiction — Missing revealed that the character James, was inspired by my son, J.C., who actively participated in the search for Brian. But how about James’ love interest, Charlie?
Charlie
The heroine, Charlie, was inspired by a real person – Priscilla Jane (P.J.). Charlie’s physical description mirrors that of P. J., a true 6-foot beauty.
Many of Charlie’s character traits are actually those held by P.J. who is beautiful on the inside and out. However, her history and participation in the search is mixed with fact and fiction.
Charlie’s background as an expert skier is fact. At one time she considered training for the Olympics until a high school soccer accident made that impossible is fact. That same accident made P.J. unavailable to be on the front line in the search for Brian. She needed surgery from that same injury years prior.
However, P.J. worked in the background in the search for Brian by getting volunteers, and doing all the behind the scenes work on her computer.
Charlie’s military background is another story. It is pure fiction.
the romance
The romance between J.C. and P.J. is real. They are engaged to be married this year and although I already consider her a part of my family, it will be official.
How they met and the romance as portrayed within Search Beyond Lies is fiction. Speaking of romance, do you consider Search Beyond Lies a Romantic Suspense Thriller or a Suspense Thriller with a dash of romance? The next article will look at the “rules” for determining genre and survey what the readers feel, after all, it’s the readers that count, not the rules.
© 2023 Karen VDH Fischer
Karen, I love the family picture of you, your husband, P.J. and J.C. Phew, how do you keep the names straight? Anyway, I must say what an honor you’ve given to P.J. to craft your main character Charlie after her. I continue to enjoy the tidbits you share about what is fact and fiction from your book. Thanks again for sharing!
Thank you, Donna!
When you have an amazing future daughter-in-law like P.J., it only makes sense to craft my main character after her! I’m so glad you continue to enjoy this fact and fiction series!
Karen