Dear Character (Letters from the Author)

Dear Rod,
I must apologize that your life is going to suck at the end of this novel. Just remember that you brought it upon yourself. In that first chapter, making your all-important decision - you know your reasons were totally selfish. So don't blame me. Anyway, I'll give you that toward the end, you might go through a little more than the typical college-age kid would have to, and for that I'm sorry. It's necessary for the advancement of the plot; so think of it as the greater good! That's what you're all about, right? Ha.

Dear Skyler,
I want you to know that even though the world may not be clean forever, you don't have to go back to the guilt you had at the beginning. A little good can come out of this whole ordeal, at least. So don't be worried; your sister will still love you even once the world is back to normal!

Dear Franklin,
Oh, Franklin, you silly thing! You're about to grow up more than you can possibly know. I'm so proud of you, the way you're going to handle this situation. I know you don't feel like it now, but you're going to be a very important part of this resolution. I see it, and Skyler will too.

Dear Sullivan,
You're my personal hero, did you know that? Tough, honest, dedicated, selfless. You hide it behind a mask of cynicism, but I'm your maker - I know what you really have in you. And don't worry I won't tell anyone... but it's going to come through eventually. You really are a hero. I wish there were more people like you in the real world. Oh! And by the way... I'm sorry in advance. You don't deserve but... it's just so poetic!

-Love, Your Maker

M

Dear Sophie,
I really appreciate your patience, having to sit on the back burner last year while Mindora and Alex had all the fun. But now it's your turn to shine. So I need to get inside your head. You have to have some kind of plan here; if you don't, then you're doomed. And no, we can't just kill them, because then you'll be in even bigger trouble then you already are. Besides, you're too clumsy; you know you'll get caught. So I know all about you, but I need more than incoherent mumbles as to what you're going to do.
Love,
This Novelist

Dear Lincoln,
Thank you for giving me no problems. In fact, you've got to be the most cooperative of my characters. I just worry a bit about your sanity. I mean, we both know that what you went through was somewhat traumatic, and that contributes to why you act the way you do, but... your plans scare me. And stop looking at Sophie like that when you think I'm not looking. She's off-limits.
Love,
This Novelist

"The man who has no imagination has no wings."
-Muhammad Ali

WHAT
OH CRAP
I JUST MADE THIS TOPIC IN NANO ATE MY SOUL
*stupid*

i really need to pay more attention

P.S.:

Dear Mercado,
I hope I'm not going to have to take evasive actions to make sure you don't screw anything up this year. If I do...well, I have my ways. *cackle*

- DM

OH MAA GAA NANO COOKBOOK

My dear, lovely, everlasting Andy:

Sorry about all the lack of writing I've been doing... But November is upon us, and we know what that means!

More writing, yet still more procrastination. I am excited though. This novel will be the one where everything happens. I know you're probably not as excited, and I understand your reasons. But, try to look at the big picture. You aren't a selfish girl. You know that anything YOU do will be for the best... I can't exactly speak for the other you...

I really need to start seeing you more clearly in my brain, by the way. But that is on me, not you.

Keep digging yourself outta that grave,
Your Author

~*~

Dear Eric,

You need to forgive, Andy. I know women drop out of your life left and right, but she had to leave.

And I don't mean to worry you, but if you don't, I just might have to write in someone else to fill the void you've left in her heart...

You've been warned,
Your Author

~*~

Dear Alec,

Welcome to my story! I've been most excited to begin writing you. Don't worry about your shady past.
Be much more concerned with your uncertain future!
=)

Keep looking good,
Your Author

~*~

Dear everyone else,

Strap on your swamp boots! We've got lots to wade through...

Missed you guys,
Your loving Author

"Writing is the only thing that, when I do it, I don't feel I should be doing something else."
-Gloria Steinem

Dear Alonso,
I don't like you. You're shallow, nothing but a company man. I'm guessing that's why you never married, or maybe it's some deeper underlying issue. You don't do anything other than what you're told and don't question your orders. I know that you don't like me, either. I'm too much of a free thinker for you. We have opposing philosophical view of the world and society. If it weren't for this situation, you and I would have never given each other the time of day.

But for the time being, we're stuck with each other. We're going to have to go through this journey together whether either of us likes it or not. I'm hoping that you'll learn something along the way, but I'm not counting on it. So, if we put our differences aside for the month, maybe we can both come through this in one piece. Don't fight me on this!

Sincerely,
The Author

Follow me:
[Blog] [Goodreads] [Facebook] [Twitter]

Dear MC,
Please pick a name and stick with it. Maybe if you'd put down the bong for a minute, it wouldn't be so hard.

"These words I write keep me from total madness" - Charles Bukowski

To Dear Villagers,

I'm so excited to meet you all and live with you and live in the village that you have all lived in for so long. I look forward to meeting you all and feeling the true essence you all embody and share. I just hope that you could all possibly tell me the name of your village? I feel foolish not knowing, and time is fading!
Not to mention I'd love it if you all could also help bring ideas to me for future novels in the series, as I don't want this to be the only novel set in this village.

Thank you and see you soon!
A soon-to-be acquaintance.

'06: The Fix
'09: Curious Incidences Book #1: The Oak Tree

Dear Martin family and other supporting characters,
You are still being very secretive and refusing to help me out by telling me anything about yourselves. While I appreciate you may be collectively sulking over the fact that you probably aren't going to have starring roles in my novel, I still expect you to co-operate. How am I meant to plan what parts you *will* play in the story if I don't know your names, ages or occupations? There is one month until I have to start writing, so I would be very grateful if you could all start talking. If any of you continue to be unhelpful, then be warned - I will not hesitate to kill you off in various horrible ways.
Hoping for a response,
The Author.

Dear Characters,

Please invent yourselves.

- Tatsuya.

If you're feeling uncomfortable, you can exit where you entered, baby, that's fo' sho.

'06: Relying on You.
'07: A Map of the World.
'08: Vos Poings.
'09: Prince Charming.

Dear members of Damascus Christian Church, and especially the chancel choir,

Is anyone alive out there? I'm about to introduce you to the world and you've gone silent on me. Ben's talked to me and Taci hasn't been a stranger... but you folks are important to the story and it's time you shape up and stop hiding in the shadows. We've only got 28 days so you'd better step up and introduce yourselves.

A visitor in the congregation,
ACW

2008 - Finding the Words (epic fail)
2009 - Doxology (I can do this!)

Not quite NaNo specific, but important characters nonetheless...

To Aura,

That little bubble of yours? Yeah, it's not going to last long. Enjoy it while it's going on, but then don't go running to me when it all falls apart. Actually, do, so I can say that I told you so.

To Nuri,

FIGHT LIKE THE WIND BULLSEYE! I know you don't like your dungeon, but they're busting you out! Just that Donnovan and Faith are going to .... do SOMETHING first.

To Adrianne,

I know you're only semi-dead, and I'm sorry. Not a heck of a lot I can do about it right now.

To Donnovan,

Kiss her... and THEN go save Nuri. Just do it quickly.

To Faith,

I don't like you.

To Diedre,

I'm so sorry, sorry, sorry. I stuck you in a crappy mess and now I have to sort you all out again. Please don't hate me forever - it won't end all awful for you.

To... anyone else,

You're minor and therefore don't count.

FROM YOUR LOVING (kind of), EVER FAITHFUL EVER PATIENT (yeah, got bucketloads of that stuff) AUTHOR,

Georgia

PS. Mess me around in the next book and YOU ALL DIE. No jokes >.>

NaNoWriMo 07: A Circlet of Stones (won)
NaNoWriMo 08: Donnovan's Redemption (won)
NaNoWriMo 09: Subtle Gifts (in planning)

Dear Rakiel,

You already know everything that's going to happen to you, but I'm still sorry you're going to have to relive your life all over again! Being a child twice in one lifetime has to suck. <3

Lo- ... Regards,
Author

The stars will be the bringers, the teachers, the messengers.

Dear Aravis,
Thank you so much for allowing me to get to know you and for telling me your story. Having been your close friend and great admirer since childhood, I am deeply grateful for the privilege of writing the story so few people know about you. I look forward to working with you in the book, and please don't scold me terribly if I tell something incorrectly.

Your author and friend

Dear Arad,
I cannot tell how exciting it has been getting to know you, and I very much look forward to working with you in November. Your relationship with your sister is so wonderful, I love nurturing it. Please contain yourself to my brain until November; I know how eager you are to get started. However, please don't hide your story from me come next month. I shan't allow you to be taciturn with me, however much you are with others.

Eager to know you more,
Author

An idea in your book is worth two in your mind.

Dear Jimmy,

I've never had a ghost in any of my previous novels, so I'm hoping to spend a lot of time with you! So far you've proven to be funny and adorable and even though I still don't know much about you yet, I've decided to plan either next year or the year after that as *your* novel year. Stick with me, babe, and you'll go far!

But please, stop putting Elvis on repeat. As much as I like the King, I do like other music too. Oh, and I apologize in advance for making you repeatedly live out your death. Sorry.

Excitedly,
Author

Dear Jen,

I know that things look rough right now, but trust me, they'll get better. Unfortunately, you're going to have to kiss a few frogs before your prince will come to his senses, but we both know how he is. You're going to have a lot of help dragging his head out of the sand, so don't worry.

Much love,
Author

Dear Rain,

Sweetie, I know you love your solitude and quiet, but sometimes everyone needs a little bit of excitement in their lives. This year, please take off the blinders and see what's right under your nose.

Exasperated,
Author

Dearest Cameron,

You are still quite yummy. Hopefully you will decide to make a cameo in this novel just so I can sigh over you. ♥

Adoringly,
Author

Dear Jonah,
Jonah, you have been constantly in the back of my mind for several years now, and through all of that time, all I was looking for was a transcendental character like you, the kind soul within us all. It is with this in mind that I offer my deepest and most sincere apology for what is to come. You are everything that I dreamed you would be, and you are one of the best, if not my favorite character that I've ever made. You, who is so kind, such a loving soul, will give everything for the other. and, and for that, I am so very sorry.

And it seems that you're suffering continues through the rough past you lived through, carrying the scars of yester-year on your neck, through your shattered leg, and maybe most impressively of all, through your Aphonia. Through your willingness to always listen to others and your deep understanding of the human emotional state, you will be a savior to many, a hero to more.

It is for this reason that the events that are about to take place should be kept a secret, deep down, I truly believe that you know what tragedy is to come, and the sacrifice that you will be forced to make, but you would be all right with that as long as others were safe. Eric, your family...the community itself, the entire world even, will simply have to live with the loss, which is unfortunate, but such is life. They will come to understand in time, much like you have, that everything happens for a reason, and that your sacrifice was not in vain. They must learn to grow without you, to understand the world through your eyes without you telling them how to see the world around them, and I think that you will have prepared them enough by the time the bell tolls and the end has come.

So as your creator, your teacher, and your deepest friend, I give thanks for your sacrifice, and more than that, I thank you for sharing your message with me, and hopefully the rest of the world. Silence has a way of changing people, and I think that the world is due for some quiet time. Thank you, and forever more, I am so sorry.

Love, Your Author

Dear NaNo '09 characters,

I have no idea who you are or what you will be doing in this story (whatever the plot is >.>). Unfortunately, I have a feeling there will be lots of angst and torture and tragic things. Sorry about that.

From, your author

-Kate
i'm not broke but you can see the cracks
you can make me perfect again.

when i was all messed up and i heard opera in my head
your love was a lightbulb hanging over my head.

Dear Ben,

I'm just writing to introduce myself. I was there when your universe began, I have seen the fate of humanity and the birth of God, and my presence alone maintains every atom in your multiverse.

And I am writing to tell you, I like your t-shirt. You're not as much of an arse hole as you seem.

Just to let you know, I'll be meddling in your life. As you know, it's a quite nasty affair. You just keep smoking and remember that ultimately it's for the best.

Dear Clara,

Stop being such a whiny loser. Seriously, I love you and all, but you aren't coming over as a sympathetic character. It seems like all you do is lounge around reading poetry and thinking about death.

Dear Fel,

You are awesome. Just to warn you, you will die a horrible, horrible death and it will be entirely your own fault. But after that, things will get better. I promise that much.

T. Bread Sandwich
And all that.

Keri and Norek -
No offense, my MCs are never my favorite characters. Live with it.

Rinmai & Aader -
Love you guys! Why are the madman and the outlaw my favorites? Maybe because it shows a little bit of me ...

Kayrin -
You're a cool bad guy. Don't hurt WAY to many people, 'kay?

Kohra -
Have a blast! I'm not gonna stop you!

-Tahl/Keij/Cariya/Phae/Kohra/Tumbleweed

Never trite when I write 'cause the Lord is my light
And His Word is my bond so ya know ...He's alright ~dc Talk

Dear Elyth,

You will be pregnant. Don't argue.

Dear Nero,

Yes, you love Elyth. But you also abandon her for a couple of months. Sorry, nothing I can do about it. Oh, and yeah you still have that horrible guilt-thing going on about all the people you kill. Sorry. Again.

Dear Elyth,

Yes, you WILL be pregnant!

Dear Jaetyn,

I gave up trying to convince you that your name wasn't Dodger (be happy that its your unofficial nickname!), but seriously, don't eat your father. You're only around in the epilogue anyway- eating one of my main characters will not make me happy.

Dear Avari,

You are not in this novel.

Dear Elyth,

What part of "you will be pregnant" do you not understand!?

Dear Carli,

You are not in this novel either. But I will admit, it would be awesome if you were.

Dear Elyth,

YOU ARE PREGNANT NOW GET OVER IT!

Dear Elyth,

No, you cannot eat the child.

Dear Nero,

Yes, you have to kill people so that Elyth won't eat her own kid. She needs food too you know.

Dear Elyth,

Pregnant, yes. Eating, no. Don't make me repeat it.

Dear Tristan,
Tristan, Tristan, Tristan. I hope you can read the disapproving tone in my words.
I don't get you. Why are you betraying your family? You know very well that this could mean terrible things for them. You're a bit of spineless traitor, maybe. Or do you desire power? Hate the small town? I don't know. Tell me, please. I'm begging you. I need to know your agenda before I have you betray your sister and consequently have the rest of your family murdered because of your choice.
Yours in hatred,
Moe.

Dear Sumner Family,
I am so so so sorry about what's going to happen to you. I know the three of you must be die so Marcella achieves her heroic potential so and so Tristan can live/join the dark side but really, I feel horribly about this. Please, forgive me.
Much love,
Moe.

Dear Nikole,
I feel that you are going to be an awesome character, and I'm excited to throw you head-first into a cesspool of adventure, but I really need to know stuff about you! Please tell me! I don't know what your surname is, anything about your family or friends, or your ambitions...
Life history- 5,000 words to be on my desk in a week, okay?
Now that we've got that covered, I'd just like to say good luck. :) 'Cause you're gonna need it. Not gonna tell you why, but if I were you I'd pack some comfy shoes and some tinned food...
Loads of love,
Jen

Dear MMC,
Right, dearest MMC, I am in love with you already. Just getting that out in the open. However, I'd like you to present me with a name that isn't 'Nick'- you can see the trouble with that. Nikole&Nick.. not so much. And for the record.. 'Adena' and 'Jade' are off limits too. Something sensible, please. And soon, so I can get planning done!
Loads more love than Nikole (but don't tell her that!)
Jen

nano 2oo8 - drawing the line - 51,000/50,000 {won !}
nano 2oo9 - switching skies - 0/50,000 {need a better title !}

Dear Characters,
It's been awhile since the last time we talked. I know that's not your fault, it's mine. I pushed you to the back of my mind so I wouldn't get too caught up in your story before November. However, since we're only 28ish days from NaNo, I am now letting you out of the dark corners of my mind. You may have a day or two to re-cooperate, but then I need names! Seriously, I need names!!! Also, any information you may have concerning your plot would be greatly appreciated...and...rewarded. Yes I said it!!! I will reward all characters who come forward with *pertinent* information about the plot, themselves, or the other characters.
Yours truly,
Your Author

Dear Rachel, Dulian, Conell, and other characters from last years NaNo,
I know I haven't edited your story yet, and I'm sorry. I'm just afraid that I'll mess it up if I touch it again! You all did a superb job last year and I couldn't be prouder!!! Thanks for the tip that Navala was working with Selina and Farin, I wouldn't have caught that without your help (you know who you are!). I know you probably have more stories that you want to tell me, but I'm working on another project right now. I still love you, and in December, I would love to start hearing your ideas. Please take the next two months to talk amongst yourselves and come up with some AWESOME stuff!
Lovingly,
Your proud author

2008: Winner! -- "The Forgotten Gift" -- 53k
2009: ???? -- "????" -- ??

http://uhurufreedom.wordpress.com

Dear Alice,
I am so excited to finally be working with you this year! I have always loved your story, and I'm really eager to continue it in a whole new way. I'm really pleased with the progress we've been making on the outline, but we only have a few weeks left, and so much story to figure out! So don't give up on me just yet.

Love,
Your Author

Dear Leo,
I was a little surprised when you appeared, but it seems to be for the best. But I can't get a good read on you. What are your intentions? What happens with you and Alice, and why do you fight? We've got a little bit of time to work this out, but I'd rather it was sooner rather than later. Please start talking!

Love,
Your Author

NaNo 09: Down the Rabbit Hole
fantastical & historical fan-fiction

To my muse:

Dear Leo,

Hey, NaNo's getting closer... And you still haven't given me any ideas of that plot you're cooking up... Come on, I need more than just "it involves kidnapping!" Please don't wait until the middle of November to tell me... You had better not be planning to unleash six plot bunnies on me at once like you did that one time, unless EVERY SINGLE ONE has to do with NaNo! And I need the plot before the end of October so I can plan. Come on, Leo, just tell me.

Love and annoyance,
Tassel

---

Dear Main Character,

I feel really bad about calling you that, but I feel like I can't call you Gwen or Amanda, and calling you Gwen/Amanda like I have in my outline feels impersonal. So if you could let me know what you call yourself in your head... that would be lovely. Sorry for putting you through so much mental anguish and making your families think you're clinically insane. It's necessary to the plot. You know, the one that Leo hasn't told me about yet. I expect I'll be seeing a lot of you for the next two months.

Much love,
Tassel

And after thirty days and thirty nights slowly losing sanity in the dense and unchartable literary jungle of plot twists and discoveries, the novelist emerges triumphant!

...I hope.

Dear Raechel,

What do you want to do next month? I understand that you want to spend all of your time with Casey and that you're not going to get much sleep because of the issue of you being abducted by aliens, but I need something to happen to pass the time between everything else. You can do anything you want, I don't care, but you have to let me know or your story is not going to get told at all.

Love,
Daqu

~

Dear Casey,

Uhm, you're on your own, buddy. Your only job this month is to be Raechel's boyfriend, and do it well. I'm warning you right now that when she trusts you enough to tell you that she's being abducted by aliens, she's going to drive you crazy a little bit. But if you even think of breaking up with her, I'm going to hurt you, and I'm going to hurt you badly. I'm an author, and there's no limit to what I can do to you. Raechel is going to risk her life to save yours, so I'm giving you fair warning now that if you hurt her, she may change her mind. You have no idea how quickly she could do that. So no pressure O:-) Have fun with your girlfriend next month!

Love,
Daqu

It's pronounced "dack" -- All my stories are autobiographies. Some are just a little more shameless than others!

Follow me!: http://twitter.com/ffnikki

Dear Puck,

I know you're pretty annoyed about the trainee they gave you. I know you don't like her. I even can understand why. But let me tell you one thing: You will even hate her more when she finally starts talking to you. You will, promise. But you will also start to miss her, once she is dead. Promise.
And by the way: While trying to save the world, please don't fail.
.....and prepare to stand in the middle of the jungle with only your iPhone left which will die in the middle of everything. Don't forget to bring band aids.
...and please don't hate me because I'm doing this. I have to. Really.
Oh, and: don't forget Twitter all the time. You love it, remember?

Yours,
the writer

Dear Heroine,
Decide what your damn name is, Emily or Emma, they're basically the same name, give or take a few details so it's not that hard to pick one.
And while we're talking, will you ever decide how you're going to meet your co-star? It's getting tedious trudging back and forth between two possible storylines. CHOOSEfortheloveofpuppiesandrainbows
Also, red hair and green eyes okay for you? FINE. Blue eyes then. But I'm still giving you freckles. I don't care if they make you look 12.
love,
your annoyed creator.

Dear Hero,
Don't I know you already? Oh, that's right. You're that vampire who never got his own story, and was just in the background looking 'delicious' as you put it. Well, get ready for a make over and *gasp* a name change. You're good as you are, but you have to be better, sorry. Be ready for your time in the sun... yes, sorry, I know, I know, sun = crispy vampire. Well, in that case, wait for your time in the spotlight!

TTFN,
Miriam
PS, no you can't wear leather. That's the bad guy's job.

My NaNo Novel 2009:

Dear Misses No Name Sulking In a Corner Over There,

Seriously woman. I just want to write a novel about you, it's not like I'm going give you the plague.
Yeah, yeah, I stole your brother and then killed him off in my last novel but seriously, it's just a novel,
and plus HE DESERVED IT! I know you have a plot, can't you just tell me? Or your name at least? I mean,
just because I know your name doesn't make me able to write a novel about you. Come on.

Begging,
Author

Dear Muse,

Okay, so we hate each other. Really, I suppose that's become a given by now, but I really think that it would be a good idea for you to start giving me ideas for this upcoming NaNoWriMo. You know, little things, like plot and character and themes. And really, no, I will not have too much homework to do this and no, I will not write you out of my story because I know you just love being socially incompetent, angsty, secretive characters. Well, maybe I will write you out of my story. Especially if you give me ideas for what exactly said story is going to be. -nudge-

And dear, dear muse--just shut up and stop complaining so you can give me ideas. I hope we understand each other.

Love,
The soon-to-be-hopefully Novelist

-------

Dear Lisae,

I am deeply sorry that you have no personality. I am also deeply sorry that you will most likely end up as a flat, uninventative character, which might be an issue because you do happen to be my main character. Also, I'm deeply sorry (oh gosh, HOW many times have I used this phrase now) that you will inevitably be betrayed by someone you know and trust and then your annoying side-kick/other (more interesting) main character will have to say "I told you so."

I'm sorry. Really, I am. Ignore all the evil-maniacal-author vibes you're getting off me.

Love,
The faintly-sadistic-but-not-really Novelist

------

Dear Villain,

I'm sorry. I shouldn't be calling you a villain because you haven't even done anything bad yet. Actually, that's what this whole letter is about. Dear, dear villain, whose evil deeds my plot must rest around, what do you want to do? Become a Satan-worshipper and betray all of your theocratic government and citizens? Plot the murder of many outstanding citizens in order to cement your own power? (Nah, that's a bit too normal.) Gosh. This is hard. Just eat a baby or something, dangit.

The uncreative Novelist

Jacob,
I really wish I hadn't made you so similar to myself. That will make writing a bit more annoying.....

Lacie,
I really need to know more about you. Where you come from, whether or not you're a robot, If you're a robot, who made you, if you're not a robot, what are you? What planet are you and the aliens that you came with from?

Thanks!
Author.

If it's life without walls, why do we need Windows and Gates?

NaNo 2008: Lost: 1692/50K words. LOSE
NaNo 2009: Pause 0/50KWords