How To Bring A Character To Life

Did I ever share with you the time I unwittingly brought a character to life; it was a few years ago, while I was still writing my first novel Broken Oath. 

As most authors know, even when you are writing one book, your mind is already creating a second one.

Well, I woke up one morning feeling excited after having a flash vision of a storyline and in particular, a character in my second book.  I immediately took pen to paper and began to write what I had seen in my dream; a tall man, elderly and scruffy-looking and he had a beard.  He wore a long, either dark grey or black coat and he carried an old black doctor's bag (like the one you see in horror movies).  He smelt old and dusty; as though he had been walking the Earth for a long, long time, throughout many lifetimes.  He walked with a slight hunch and he seemed to be in a hurry; like he had to be somewhere or see someone.  Wherever it was he was going, he was focused on getting to that destination. 

I knew he was a time traveller and he was able to go wherever he wanted; to any dimensions or worlds.  He was never held up for too long at customs or by boarder agency custodians because he had a smell about him that wasn't exactly pleasing and people tend to let him through quickly.  And if you asked him where he was going, he would always answer.  "I am here to see someone."  You would never get another word out of him.  And his name was Alba.

I wrote that piece with power and passion in my journal, and forgot about it.  After all I was still writing my first book.  A few days later, I was out taking my lunch break at work and I saw a character on the other side of the road.  I was surprised, it was a man and he looked just like then person I had written about for my next book.  I had never seen this man before.  He was obviously new in the area. I had to stop and stare at him; there he was, with his long dark coat, his doctor's bag and he looked like he was in a hurry; focused as though he had to get somewhere.  He looked 'out of time.'  Like he didn't belong on this plane.  There was something about him, I couldn't believe what I was seeing so I dismissed it and got on with my life.

Suddenly, I kept on seeing this character; it was always around the same place; he walked like he was on a mission.  Then one day, during my lunch break again; I had just come out of Sainsburys when I happened to look up and who do you think was on the other side of the shopping mall?  This stranger;  I was shocked, I stared at him, then he turned and glanced in my direction and we made eye contact.  I was scared, I put my head down and pretended that I did not see him but I could sense that he was coming over to me and when I looked up again, there he was, standing before me.

I was apprehensive as I looked at him, he was exactly like the description of the fiction character of my next book; a tall old man, scruffy and with a beard.  He wore a long dark coat and he carried an old black doctor’s bag.  And.... He smelt very musty.  We were locked in a gaze when suddenly he spoke.

     "Hello!  How are you?"
     "I am fine thank you."  I replied.  Then he spoke again.
     "What's your name?"  
     "Dora."

     "What's my name?"
     "I'm sorry?"  I said.

     "What's my name?"  He repeated,

     "Alba."  I responded, as that is the name I gave his character in my book.

     "No!"  He retorted.   And again he said.

"What's my name?"

     "I don't know."  I returned.  He looked at me intensely for a few seconds and said.

     "My name is..."  He paused for a moment.
"I am here to see someone."  And with that last remark, he walked off then turned back slowly to look at me, gave a wry smile and carried on walking into the crowd.  I was dumbstruck, I just stood there.   I could not believe it.  What just happened I thought?  I was so shocked. I could not concentrate for the rest of the day as I went over the incident again and again in my head.

As soon as I got home I rushed to look at my notes.  Exactly what I wrote, that was what happened, and he spoke the exact words.  I was so spooked; did I create him?  Was he someone who knew I was writing about him?  Was he a Time Traveller?  Was he really not of our world?   

I was so alarmed, I wrote no more about him and after a while, I never saw him again.  It was too much for me to handle; I was not ready for the supernatural and I am not sure if I will integrate his character into my next book, or should I?  

I had the flash vision of this character on 19th June 2009 and I met him eleven days later.  I still have my notes to this day.  And I will never forget the encounter.

I marvel at the power of thought; the power of the subconscious mind; absolutely amazing!

Best Regards

D. A. Martin

Bestseller Author of Broken Oath

Awarded An Honorary Mention

by the London Book Festival Award (2014)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Oath-D-A-Martin/dp/1291517537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385064589&sr=8-1&keywords=Broken+oath

http://www.doramartin.tel

http://www.doratheauthor.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dora-The-Author-Books/657344564284562

http://youtu.be/5hN3aLIpFFA

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10613721/broken-oath

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=D._A._Martin

Easter - Time To Reflect Beyond Reality

For most of humankind, Easter is         a time to ponder on resurrection.

For the rest of humanity, it's time to
reflect on a broken oath, a new beginning through reincarnation, 
déjà vu, time travel into other dimensions and overcoming 
conspiracies of the Universe.

Escape from the norm this Easter and lose yourself in this captivating novel; Broken Oath, order your copy Now on amazon.co.uk or, make this book the perfect Easter gift.

Best Regards
D. A. Martin

Bestseller Author of Broken Oath

Awarded An Honorary Mention

by the London Book Festival Award (2014)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Oath-D-A-Martin/dp/1291517537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385064589&sr=8-1&keywords=Broken+oath

Developing Your Intuition – A Set Of Keys

As I mentioned in my last blog, I now follow and truly believe in my intuition. Here’s an amazing story giving testimony to the power of the subconscious mind.

Some time ago I lost a set of keys to the garage where I park my car at night, as a result of course, I was unable to use my car. I knew I had it on me when I came home that evening. I searched everywhere but I couldn’t find it. I was frustrated, then, I remembered how great my subconscious mind is; the all seeing eye, that sees and knows everything. So, before going to sleep that night, I spoke to my subconscious. I relayed the problem and asked if it could show me where my garage keys were. A day or two later, I dreamt I was looking down into my apartment and a ‘wordless thought’ spoke and said my keys are in the flat. I woke up and thought, Ok, I now know my keys are in the home and I did not drop them outside. I need to be more specific as I had already looked in every room.

The following night I went through the same process; I spoke to my subconscious and asked where in the flat were my keys. And sure enough, a night or two later, I dreamt I was looking down into my lounge and the ‘wordless thought’ lead me to believe that this is where my keys can be located. I searched the whole room and still I could not find them. Yet again, before sleep, I had a another conversation with that all seeing eye of mine. I stated that I couldn’t find the keys, and again asked where they were. And I left it at that.

I went on with my daily life and one day a friend invited me round to dinner and I accepted. When I arrived at his abode, I noticed the seats of his settee were positioned vertically. When I asked why, he stated, it helps to prevent the seats from becoming soft and saggy; placing them upright from time to time puts them back into shape and the settee lasts longer and will remain firmer for a considerable period of time. I was impressed. I thought; I had my settee for a long time, perhaps I should try this technique.

The very next day, whilst no one was at home, I decided to place the seats of my settee upright. And as I turned up each seat, to my amazement, there were my garage keys. I had checked the settee before but I realised I only slid my fingers down the side, I did not take up each seat. I thanked my subconscious mind; the fountain of all knowledge which give me the answer to my questions in a most curious way.

Best Regards                                                           

D. A. Martin

Bestseller Author of Broken Oath

Awarded An Honorary Mention

by the London Book Festival Award (2014)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Oath-D-A-Martin/dp/1291517537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385064589&sr=8-1&keywords=Broken+oath

http://www.doramartin.tel

http://www.doratheauthor.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dora-The-Author-Books/657344564284562

http://youtu.be/5hN3aLIpFFA

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10613721/broken-oath

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=D._A._Martin

Nurturing Your Intuitions

Broken Oath Further Book Review: chapter four                         

I admire those individuals who embrace their 'sixth sense,' especially as it starts to manifest itself in the early childhood years.  I confess I was one of those beings who did not; I ignored my intuitions from an early age, needless to say I paid the price and the Universe spoke to me in my mind saying 'I told you so.' 

In chapter four of Broken Oath; from the age of twelve, when Malachi's intuition began to take hold, he took on board every senses he felt and the instructions given to him by the Universe. He knew how to be his own counsel. In contrast, his cousin Melee ignored her inner feelings.

We can all speculate as to why she behaved this way; maybe she didn't understand her dreams and warnings. But then, when she was a mere child she readily accepted her visions and senses. It is as I stated before; when we are young, we are in tune with the higher forces and as we start to grow up, we cut ourselves off from these messages.

Maybe Melee did not want to be bothered with heavenly issues, even if they did concern her. I could identify with her on that point. Can you? I know when I was her age, the world was becoming interesting and I wanted to be free to enjoy life. It never occurred to me that circumstances were rolling in on the waves of time that will have a direct impact on my life.

I can recall a time when I was doing lots of things in my life and my inner self kept telling me to slow down. Of course I wouldn't listen. Then, one night I had a dream; I saw my skin covered in some sort of disease and a voice spoke, it said I was run down and had to start taking extra vitamin C, otherwise this is what will happen to me. I woke up, noted the dream and instantly dismissed it; I regarded myself as a very healthy person, 'I never get sick.’

A week or so later I had the same dream; a vision of my skin covered in a disease and the voice spoke as before – ‘take extra vitamin C, otherwise this will happen to you.’ I was stubborn as a mule, I knew best; ‘I never get sick.’

Let me tell you now, the Universe is always right. Your intuitions are always right. Within two weeks of the last dream, I caught shingles. But that still did not convince me, I was so ignorant that even though I began to notice lesions on my skin, it still didn’t sink in. Why? Because I am a healthy person.  It was not until I began to experience discomfort that I went to the doctor who told me (much to my disbelief) that I have full blown shingles, I was in the advance stage and there was nothing he could do for me. I said. “You must be mistaken.” He was not impressed with my comment and went on to say I should have come to him at the first onset. ‘Good Luck.’ He said and dismissed me.

I was shocked, how could this happen to me? It was at that point that I remembered my dreams. I confessed I was anxious, and began to read up on Shingles. Apparently the pain was due to inflammation of the nerve endings which once damaged by the shingles virus cannot repair itself and you are left in pain forever. I was shocked. ‘Damn!’ I thought. I began reading my book on vitamins and herbal remedies; how to heal my body in these circumstances. I read; I needed to take 2,000 milligrams of vitamin C and 1,000-2,000 micrograms of vitamin B12. Which I did, and after enduring much pain, I soon recovered. (Phew! Never again.) Do I listen to my intuitions now? Yes!

The Universe and/or our guardians do their best to give us spiritual counsel to steer us along a path that will cause us the least pain. But as always we know best; we get the wrong end of the stick in our interpretations of the spiritual message and we pay the price.

When Malachi tells Melee that he was scared about the stranger who would be was coming into their lives, she comforts him because she thinks she knows the reason why he is apprehensive. Malachi on the other hand knows full well why he is afraid; circumstances are going to be put into play that will directly affect Melee and he fears for her safety.

Melee is secretly worried about her dreams but for different reasons; maybe she knows she is ignoring them and part of her is concerned about the consequences. Dis-ease only comes into our lives when we are not doing what we are meant to do. And Melee will find out the hard way. As those who know, know; all is cause and effect.

I listen to my inner self now and take note of its counsel. There are now few or no sharp stones to pierce my feet along the pathway to my destination. And I mean to keep it that way.

Embrace your intuition; listen to the counsel of your inner self or its guardians.

Best regards


D. A. Martin                                                              

Bestseller Author of Broken Oath
Awarded An Honorary Mention by the
London Book Festival Award (2014)


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Oath-D-A-Martin/dp/1291517537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385064589&sr=8-1&keywords=Broken+oath

http://www.doramartin.tel

http://www.doratheauthor.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dora-The-Author-Books/657344564284562

http://youtu.be/5hN3aLIpFFA

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10613721/broken-oath

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Honorary Mention at the London Book Festival Award (2014) for D. A. Martin, bestseller Author of Broken Oath

Thank you to all my readers, followers and those who supported me and held me to account when writing my book; Broken Oath.   

The Universe downloaded the story into my creative mind and the characters grew so large within me that after 10 years of carrying them around in my being, I was compelled to write it all down on paper.  

I would especially like to thank Stephanie J. Hale, my mentor and publisher who, without her input and expertise, my book would not have got this far. 

I am very happy to receive the Honorary Mention and the Certificate for my book

Best Regards
D. A. Martin
Bestseller Author of Broken Oath

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Oath-D-A-Martin/dp/1291517537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385064589&sr=8-1&keywords=Broken+oath

http://www.doramartin.tel

http://www.doratheauthor.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dora-The-Author-Books/657344564284562

http://youtu.be/5hN3aLIpFFA

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10613721/broken-oath

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=D._A._Martin

What Do Authors Do In Their Spare Time?

We spend time with other Authors at the London Book Festival Award talking about and promoting our books.

We enjoy being awarded with our certificates for our books in recognition of our good work.

And we enjoy sharing our stories of how we came to put our creative thoughts down on paper.

Being an Author can sometimes be an isolating experience, we get excited to know that we are not alone and we can make new friends.

And best of all we get to take our Certificates home.

What do Authors do in their spare time; we take our dreams, put it in a book and make it real for all to share.



Best Regards
D. A. Martin
Bestseller Author of Broken Oath
Honorary Mention by the London Book Festival Award(2014)

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Oath-D-A-Martin/dp/1291517537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385064589&sr=8-1&keywords=Broken+oath

http://www.doramartin.tel

http://www.doratheauthor.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dora-The-Author-Books/657344564284562

http://youtu.be/5hN3aLIpFFA

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10613721/broken-oath

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=D._A._Martin

There Is No Spoon

This is a story for those of you who want to make your goals for the year 2015 but have taken yourselves out of the game before you even get started:-

I attended a personal development conference some time ago and during the event, everyone in the room had to choose a partner to do an exercise; each partner had to discuss how we dealt with obstacles that came into our lives.  

The lady I teamed up with said quite modestly.  “I’m afraid I will not be able to do this exercise.  I don’t know what she (the trainer) means.  I have never encountered an obstacle in my life.  I was brought up by my parents to believe that I can achieve anything.  So, if I want anything I just focus, I see it in front of me and I just go for it."  I listened to this lady, as she told her story.  I couldn’t believe it; she never experienced a situation in her life?

She went on to tell me how she came to this country a short while ago.  She just said to herself, ‘I want an ideal accommodation in London.’  She focused and got it.  She carried on talking; she wanted an ideal job, she focused and she got that too.  She wanted an ideal salary, she focused and it was given to her.  She did not envisage any obstacle in her path.  I watched and listened to her with intent, I took it all in. I could see in her eyes; one long road with absolutely no obstacles ahead.  How amazing is that!  Totally awesome!

I aspire to be just like her and you could too.  And if you think you'll have problems being like this young lady, remember The Matrix; the episode when the young child teaches Neo how to bend the spoon.

Remove those obstacles from your goals for 2015, just remember; there is no spoon!

Best Regards

D. A. Martin
Bestseller Author of Broken Oath


http://www.amazon.co.uk/Broken-Oath-D-A-Martin/dp/1291517537/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1385064589&sr=8-1&keywords=Broken+oath

http://www.doramartin.tel

http://www.doratheauthor.blogspot.co.uk

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Dora-The-Author-Books/657344564284562

http://youtu.be/5hN3aLIpFFA

http://www.bloglovin.com/blog/10613721/broken-oath

http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=D._A._Martin