Monday, June 23, 2008

Hey, what's your sign?

Writers should know their characters well, so well that even if you, the reader, never know the character's favorite color or least-favorite food, the author does. So well that the author knows not only the character's age, but probably even his or her astrology sign.

As I started working on my third novel in the series, it occurred to me that I need to know my main character's astrological sign, not just because I should know my character that well, but because she's going to be studying up on the psychic sciences in her quest to understand the forces that are set against her.

But she's a composite character, made up of different people or aspects of people I've known. How could I possibly figure this out?

I found the perfect solution: Internationally-known astrologer Dikki Jo Mullen, who is the house astrologer for The Witches' Almanac, did her chart!

Dikki Jo's detailed astrology forecasts also appear Dell Horoscope publications. She is the author of four books including the recently published KOO HOLLIE AND THE CORN GODDESS CHRONICLE, "a metaphysical allegory and adventure story which doubles as a textbook about astrology, ghost hunting and much more." She teaches classes in Tarot, Ghost Hunting and Paranormal Investigation, Astrology, Tea leaf Reading and Crystal Gazing, Native American spirituality and Runes, among other subjects.

You can't imagine how exciting it was to see my main character, Alicia's, chart. Dikki Jo sent not just a chart, but a full interpretation and a beautiful hand-done poster of the chart.

So what sign IS Alicia? I can't tell you! I'm going to have a contest for readers to guess! I just have to figure out the details. Stay tuned...