I’ve taken on another project to write a 10,000-word short story for Lowcountry RWA’s next anthology, publishing in the spring of 2025. While that may seem a while away, the organization’s leadership will wrangle a dozen authors, a dozen stories, and multiple rounds of edits. It all takes time. I applaud President Elaine Reed and the anthology committee for their hard work in putting this endeavor together. I was very excited about the 2023 Holiday anthology; this one will be even more fun. There will be stories with “spice” and some “everything nice,” which is where my story will land.

The theme of this anthology will be Vacation. Of course, the story must be a romance. Must be set in South Carolina. Must be submitted by July 29, 2024.

I’ve named a lot of characters between my Fleur de Lis series, Fleur de Lis Brides, Her Heart’s Desire, Behind the Mask, the Junction, Georgia anthology—which will be published soon—and Unspoken Words. Not to mention the stories in multiple other anthologies I’ve contributed to. For some reason, this character was tight-lipped about her name.

Bear in mind, when naming a character, names matter. And, I like research. Yes, sometimes it takes me down rabbit holes, however, that’s just part of my writing journey.

A few years ago, I found a website that analyzes names using the Kabalarian Philosophy:

“The Kabalarian Philosophy teaches constructive living based on an understanding of the physical, mental, and spiritual laws. These principles provide the key to understanding how to control life to bring into reality the happiness, mental freedom, and personal success that everyone seeks.”

Here’s some of what the website says about my name:

• Your first name of Linda has made you a hard worker with a meticulous sense of detail.
• You have a great deal of patience and independence, and you can be relied upon to complete your undertakings.
• You are stable, trustworthy, home loving, and logical in practical matters, but rather unresponsive to suggestions from others.
• At times you find it difficult to express the depth of your feelings for those you love.

While I don’t believe anyone can “control life,” I also don’t feel I line up 100% with this description of me. Yet, I do think it’s a fun way to gain inspiration about a character.

Story ideas are taking shape in my mind, my imagination. The Hero’s name is Noah. He went to college and studied engineering. However, he found an office and company policies and the hours too confining. Now he’s a self-employed Jack-of-all-Trades. Born and raised in South Carolina. Thirty-five years old. Never been married, though came close once. I don’t want to give anything more away about his life situation. However, if you’re looking for a visual, this guy, Tom, is inspiration for Noah.

My heroine has a younger, half-sister, sixteen years old. Her name is Carolina. She’s very much the sunny, Southern girl. Smart. Compassionate. Plays soccer.

Regarding my heroine. She’s thirty-nine years old. Fawn colored brown/blond shoulder-length hair. Five-foot five inches tall. Hazel eyes. Size 10 (not a size 0 or 2 model at all). Born and raised in mostly in Columbia, South Carolina. Played golf in high school. Graduated with honors from a private high school. Accepted to and then graduated from Wharton School of Business in Philadelphia, PA. After college, she went to work for an investment firm in Connecticut. Made her first million at twenty-eight. Became a hedge fund manager at thirty-five. Though work is her life, she volunteers with a youth organization where once a month, she sponsors a field trip to a cultural event, such as a symphonic concert, or an art museum, or a historical venue in the North East. I don’t want to give anymore away about her…I want her story to unfold. Like all of us, she has emotional baggage and tragedy in her life.

And I finally found out her name! But you’ll have to wait to find it out.

The place of the vacation will be IOP aka Ilse of Palms, South Carolina.

Can’t wait!
Linda Joyce