Worlds of Paul Jessup

My name is Gloria Weber. I’m the author of Gaslight Demons, published by Morbidgames Publishing, and I’m here to steal Paul’s blog! No need to call the authorities, it is just for this one post. I’m guest blogging here as part of my Gaslight Demons Virtual Book Tour (many thanks to Paul for allowing me this honor).

As a guest blogger, I’m now obliged to bring something to the table for you to read. Something other than my begging and pleading for you to buy my book, but I would be grateful if you’d consider doing just that. So, for my topic today I’ve picked character guilt.

Guilt is an interesting thing. There are a many things a character can pick to feel guilty about. Things they have done or things that are completely out of their hands. But feeling guilt reveals some sort of fault in a character.

My main character Sophia Nogard likes to blame herself for a lot things. For example, Sophia believes her father’s death is her fault. Her mother was looking for her and, had she actually been there when her mother found her father, Sophia believes she could have stopped it from happening. Others might have blamed Thomas, the father, saying he brought it upon himself or they would have blamed the mother, his murderer. But Sophia blindly blaming herself and holding herself accountable shows a narrow view of the world that can be taken as a fault and room for her to grow.

Guilt can also break a character’s spirit. This can be an ugly and rather vulnerable moment for the character, but that moment allows for character transformation. The character could spiral into oblivion or she could rebuild herself to be stronger.

I used this with Sophia, as well. That ugly breaking occurs when she witnesses the tragic death of a close friend. Afterwards, she has to face what falling into oblivion would cost her. This allowed Sophia to rebuild herself, and the guilt of being able to do nothing at that time fueled her need to do something.

Guilt can be a powerful thing. But then again, there’s always the complete opposite, and in my book that would be Sophia’s partner, Mackey Stone.

If you would like to find out why Thomas could be to blame for his own death, the reason behind Sophia’s resolve to rebuild herself, or what else happens in my book, please visit my site for places to buy Gaslight Demons, published by Morbidgames Publishing, written by me, Gloria Weber: http://gloriaweber.wordpress.com/ There you will also find my previous virtual book tour stops and dates for more to come.