People, you can tell me anything by Shelagh Braley Starr

As might be true of most writers, I have a fair number of voices overflowing in my mind. It can get pretty noisy between my ears, especially when I am in the early stages of constructing a story.

“Did you hear?” They gossip at me like crows. “The hero is a humble lover. The maiden is actually an immortal warrior. The druid is the king’s father but no one knows!” These characters save all their secrets for me, and it’s my job to listen and get it all down on paper somehow, in a way that both makes sense and prompts readers to care.

Their voices compete for top billing: Who will tell this story? Who has the most at stake? Whose point of view captures the full picture best? That is the most difficult choice I’ve faced so far. I’ve only known them all long enough to write a first draft, and that’s hardly a lot. I get the sinking feeling they’re still hiding some prescient details from EVEN ME, their dearest confidante and scribe. But writing is not for the weak of spirit—I must be decisive. So, I go with my gut and choose the character I relate to with the most depth.

Writing from first person, I slide into the form of the protagonist, wearing her velvet gown, pulling back her swath of hair, hefting a sword for the big, surprising battle. We become one person while I write for her, her words defiant, her thoughts in contradiction. I get to experience this with her. She’s conflicted! She’s ambivalent! She’s struggling to adapt to the changing expectations! It all feels so close, her struggle becomes my emergency as I write. Between us now, there is familiarity and intimacy. We are twins with extrasensory powers of understanding, as hers become the violet eyes through which I see the action unfold. And hopefully, that closeness will translate to readers as they come to know her, to witness her internal struggles, to watch her evolve and get stronger, to respect and love her as I do now.

But then … oh no. The hero is heartbroken and full of regret, his fighting days seemingly behind him. What’s that like for him? My empathy overflows, but I have to hold onto my chosen point of view. I cannot be two people at once, as much as I wish I could. If I am in the maiden’s thoughts, then I only get to write what the hero does and says out loud. Yes, the insight is limited, the internal struggle cut down to the visibly grimacing jaw and the heavy sigh as his breath clouds the stars on a cold, clear night. HOW FRUSTRATING. What is going on in that golden-haired head of his? Of course, I do know what he wants, and what he’s feeling is juicy! But I couldn’t possibly say. It’s private information. Maybe if he finally confesses to me … I mean, to the maiden—then we’ll know for sure.

And meanwhile, what’s that druid up to?? I am sure that potion he’s making is deadly. But is anyone else aware? No, that’s for him to know and everyone else to gasp in horror when they find out. Who could imagine he was such a villain? Well, when he fooled the queen into making an illegitimate heir, it was pretty obvious, but why? Why would he do it? Is he power hungry? Is he fulfilling a prophesy we haven’t heard about yet? If only I had inside information on this one, because the maiden is too busy training and the hero too deep in his pining to notice any sneaky business. I’ll have to keep my ear to the ground and my eyes peeled.

What I do know is that although there are many voices that make up a story, taking one perspective and sticking to it is crucial. If my maiden is as tough as I think she is, all will be revealed in good time. I just have to be patient and keep these secrets to myself.

I wouldn’t want to be thought a scandalmonger, now, would I?

Shelagh Braley Starr was born in Kittery, Maine, the youngest of four girls. Educated in Catholic schools on the Seacoast, she became an insatiable reader, and developed a special interest in mythology, Irish politics, and history. 

She studied journalism at Northeastern University, working at both daily newspapers in Boston before transitioning into tech entrepreneurship. Her work has been published in The Boston Globe, Boston Herald, Family Traveller, and more. 

She lives in New Hampshire where the sailing is good, with her husband, daughter, son, and a pack of wild Labs that ruin any attempts at gardening. She is working on her first novel, Emer of Ulster.