When One + One + One Does Not Equal Three

Gwen and I are partners - Partners in ParanormYA.  Our one + one equals two easily.  So imagine our surprise when we were casually approached as we sat sipping tea and eating scones - this is all happening in our imaginations, of course.

This strange character, more like a stick figure - literally, not a lick of clothing on the poor thing's lines-for-limbs and body parts, even the head was a wobbly sort of two-dimension shape of confusion - promptly announced, in an uproarious voice, "I'm in a book!"

Tea cups clanged against saucers, drips slurped from the corners of our lips and Cleo the Ghost Cat hissed and ran off to a corner.  (You'll understand Cleo once you've gotten a copy of and had a chance to chuckle at Cleo in GIVIN' UP THE GHOST).  Gwen and I exchanged glances and pasted on nervous grins.

"Good for you, uh, whoever you are," we said in unison as we dabbed napkins at our faces and the table to clear some of our mess.

"I'm in a book!" The character could do little more than repeat itself.  It had no ability to move.  Then I realized why it shouted.  It had a round "O" for a mouth.

"Who - what are you?" I leaned forward, curious.  Gwen eyed the character briefly then returned to her tea, shifting a wary glance mid-sip, fearful of another shout.

"Imina Book.  That's me.  Self-published.  Come to join PIP."

Gwen spat out her tea.  She put her smile on again and through clenched teeth said, "I don't remember putting out a call for additional partners.  Did you, Angela?"

I shook my head.  Curioser and curioser this had become.

Finally, I stood up and helped Imina to a chair, asking a million questions like, "How many revisions did your author do?  Did he do any rewrites?  How many betas had a chance to read you?  Do you not have a cover?  Any marketing at all?"  None and no were its answers, though Imina had a book cover that it didn't like so it hoped joining forces with us would give it some help.

Gwen and I were sad to decline the poor dear.  It was clearly overwhelmed and underdone.  We looked at each other, considering our own decision to self-publish NEVERLOVE and GIVIN' UP THE GHOST.

(Have we done all we can do to give our characters full life, breath and meaning; to make them three-dimensional characters readers can empathize with or connect with on some level?)

The days are counting down, publication date coming closer.  But as we helped Imina up and sent him back on his way, we realized how it was possible that one + one + one does not always equal three.****

For readers and bloggers, is there something you do or are involved in where you ponder if you're giving it your all?  Your answer may be too personal to put in comments, and that's understandable.  But Gwen and I want YOU to know that we value your time, your efforts and your willingness to give our novels a chance.  And we thank you because you are the difference makers in rallying toward success :-)