Love Under Construction by Penny Zeller

Love Under Construction Character Inspiration: Cynthia Brady

One of the most exhilarating things as an author is developing characters. In our imaginary worlds, we create characters with personalities, hopes, dreams, and motivations. Of course, the main characters are the best to create, and they stick with us writers for much longer than after we’ve typed the words “The End” on the manuscript. But what about secondary characters? Those in the supporting roles, whether good or bad?

How many times have we seen the memes and coffee mugs warning people that if they are crusty, crabby, or just plain difficult, they may find themselves in the pages of our next novel? To be sure, we writers have all had “influences” that have woven their way into our creativity and starred as the antagonist(s) in our books.

What about the godly secondary characters? The mentors, the ones offering discipleship, the loving parent, grandparent, friend, or relative?

For my most recent novel, Love Under Construction, I needed a secondary character to play the role of Cynthia Brady, my main character, Irelynn’s, mother. It couldn’t be just any secondary, but a woman full of faith, one who loved and was there for Irelynn, and who had struggles of her own.

Cue my mom.

Just like Cynthia Brady, my own mom (ironically, or maybe not so ironically, named Cindee) fit the bill. She is a strong woman, not only in the sense of personality, but, even more importantly, a strong woman of faith. Life has not been easy for her in the past decade, with diagnoses of scleroderma, fibromyalgia, and severe chronic pain. From the time I was a young girl, she tenderly guided me through the challenges of life with a listening ear, a hug, andwise words of advice. Most importantly, through the years, she has discipled me in my walk with the Lord.

Cynthia Brady does the same for Irelynn. At this moment in her life, Irelynn faces some huge obstacles. The main theme of Love Under Construction is relying on God during all times—the good and the bad. A tender and uplifting story with plenty of humor, this novel also touches on the topics of motherhood, adoption, financial challenges, and PTSD.

While there are some differences between Cynthia and my mom, namely Cynthia doesn’t struggle to the same degree with her health and she has raised Irelynn single-handedly, there are similarities.

Everyone has a story, and every story is filled with ups and downs, crabby characters and cheerful characters. As you go about your day, try being the type of “character” that makes someone’s story happier and better.

Blurb:

She builds websites. He builds houses. Together, can they build a family for two orphans?

Irelynn agreed two years ago to help raise her best friend’s twins should anything happen. When she is called upon to fulfill that agreement, there is only one problem—Irelynn must share the responsibility with the arrogant but handsome Quinton Gregory.

Quinton takes the role of raising his niece and nephew with all seriousness. He will do anything for the twins, even if it means putting up with the beautiful but stubborn Irelynn Brady.

When forced to be in each other’s presence far more often than is comfortable, things slowly begin to change. Will the unexpected attraction between Irelynn and Quinton become a love under construction?

Bio:

Penny Zeller is known for her heartfelt stories of faith and her passion to impact lives for Christ through fiction. While she has had a love for writing since childhood, she began her adult writing career penning articles for national and regional publications on a wide variety of topics. Today Penny is a multi-published author of several inspirational books. She is also a homeschool mom and a fitness instructor.

When Penny is not dreaming up new characters, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters while camping, hiking, canoeing, reading, running, cycling, gardening, and playing volleyball.

She is represented by Tamela Hancock Murray of the Steve Laube Agency and loves to hear from her readers at her www. pennyzeller.com and her blog, random thoughts from a day in the life of a wife, mom, and author, at www.pennyzeller.wordpress.com.

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