When Characters Are More Than Fiction

ByKaren Witemeyer
40 Comments

God moves in mysterious ways.

Chance meetings become blessings that not even an experienced author could dream into existence.

Me and Kristie at Barnes & Noble in Dec 2016.

In December 2016, I was already several months into the writing of More Than Meets the Eye when a speaking opportunity took me to Lubbock, TX. After conducting a library workshops that morning, I did a late afternoon book signing at the local Barnes & Noble. A few minutes before our official start time, a man and his family came through the store, saw my name, and stopped. His wife loved my books and couldn’t believe that they had just happened to come into the store at the exact time I was there. We chatted, I signed a book, and then we each went our separate ways. The family left to do their shopping, and I carried on with the rest of my signing. It was a lovely encounter, but I didn’t think anything special would come from it. Until I received an email from the husband a few days later.

Knowing how much his wife loved my books and seeking some special way to honor her, he asked if there might be any way for me to name a future character after his wife. His story, along with his plea, touched my heart, and I knew at once that I needed to find a way to make this happen. My main character was already named, and I was too deep into the story to change Evangeline, but I had a secondary character, a love interest for the younger Hamilton brother who could be renamed without too much trouble. So after some brainstorming with Jeff about his wife’s eye color and hair color, I set about transforming Anne Stokes into Christie Gilliam. Kristie actually spells her name with a K, but since that wasn’t historically accurate, I changed the starting letters. In another romantic twist, I had Seth Hamilton revert to using his original surname (instead of the adopted name the orphans all took on when they created their own family) at the end of the book – that surname being Jefferson, in honor of the man who approached me for this sweet tribute to his wife.

As the release date for More Than Meets the Eye approached, Jeff and I exchanged several emails about how to reveal the surprise. In the end, I mailed him an autographed copy of the book along with a letter addressed to Kristie. Jeff printed and bound together all of our email conversations since the beginning of the project 18 months ago, and presented this along with the book to his wife during a romantic evening in their home.

Kristie was delighted, and overwhelmed by her husband’s thoughtfulness. I felt just like the fairy godmother from Cinderella!

They’ve both read the book and I’m relieved to report they enjoyed the way the character of Christie Gilliam turned out in the story. (I have to admit to being a hair nervous about that. The fictional Christie battles disabilities as well as a difficult home life, but she is triumphant in the end.)

Jeff had to wait nearly a year and a half for this surprise to come to fruition, but his patience has been rewarded. it seemed only fitting to mention Jeff and Kristie in the book’s dedication, along with the providence of the God who brought this all about.

  • Have you ever had a chance encounter that turned into an unforeseen blessing?
  • If you could pick a character from any book and have your name swapped out for hers, which character would you pick?

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For those who love to smile as they read, bestselling author Karen Witemeyer offers warmhearted historical romance with a flair for humor, feisty heroines, and swoon-worthy Texas heroes. Karen is a multiple award-winning author and a firm believer in the power of happy endings. She is an avid cross-stitcher, tea drinker, and gospel hymn singer who makes her home in Abilene, TX with her heroic husband who vanquishes laundry dragons and dirty dish villains whenever she's on deadline. Learn more about Karen and her books at: www.karenwitemeyer.com.

40 Comments

  2. I just finished reading More Than Meets the Eye two days ago so now I understand that dedication and the names.
    That is the sweetest thing I’ve heard of a husband doing for a wife in a long time!

  4. What a wonderful story! That one brought tears to my eyes. To have a husband like Jeff, and an author/friend like you, must be blessings beyond expectations. Good for you, Karen, to care that much about your readers! It is an extension of Christian love for sure. I’m going to read More Than Meets the Eye next, after finishing my Misty Beller book (it takes me longer in the summer to read; so much to do outside!). I already know I’ll enjoy reading it. May the Lord continue to bless you and your readers!

  5. It was a WONDERFUL surprise and such a thoughtful gesture from both Jeff and Karen!! I still can’t believe it!! It was so exciting to read the book, waiting to see what would happen. Karen was so generous to do this for us. It is a gift that I will forever treasure.

  7. What a sweet story! I loved hearing about this thoughtful husband and his plan to honor and surprise his wife!

  8. Oh how wonderful! This story brought happy tears to my eyes! I wondered about the forward and now I know. 😊😊😊

  11. Thanks for sharing this story behind your dedication in your new novel! Is it possible you please could add this to the Bonus section on your website?

  14. Aww…totally heart-melting! So sweet & romantic! *Sigh*
    Hearing the story behind your dedication Karen makes me love “More Than Meets the Eye” even more!😊💚

  16. I have read so many of your books and have enjoyed every one. I just received “More Than Meets the Eye” in the mail and can’t wait to read. It will be more meaningful since I read your post. Thanks for the great books you write. May God bless you as you continue writing.

  17. What a sweet story!It was not only touching what Jeff did for Kristie but that you went along with it and blessed them in this way. Thanks for giving us this “behind the scenes” look at your book (which is waiting on my TBR pile).

  18. I love this, Karen! Thanks for the fun post. I’m looking forward to reading your new book.

  19. My husband was in the hospital. I had just received word from the doctor that it was cancer and he needed to have surgery.
    I went downstairs to have lunch. I always have a book with me so I started to read which was hard to do as I was crying.
    I felt someone staring at me. I looked up and across the room, sat my friend, Harriet. We work together in the church library. She was visiting her sister who was also in the hospital.
    This was not a chance meeting. It was God reaching out to me showing His love and care for His children.

  20. I have just finished listening to More Than Meets the Eye and what can I say but I loved it and now reading story gave me goosebumps. I remember years ago when I was working for a company, but I had this man and woman come in to buy traveler’s checks. Sure we talked about where they were going to go on their vacation but something told me to ask the woman about scrapbooking. It turned out that she worked for Creative Memories and she invited me to, to their home for a workshop. I went and loved it and she turned out to be a very close friend and was there for me when I lost job several years later.

  21. What a sweet story! That was so thoughtful of you! I loved reading that! As to the question about which character you would want your name to be…its hard to say! I love all your books, Ive read most of them more than once, and love them every time! Your characters touch me amd I feel a connection with them. I fall in love with the men every time. 😀 I would have to say maybe Meredith from Short Straw Bride Adelaide from Head in the Clouds. Such beautiful stories. And I just want you to know that your books inspire me! Thank you for being such a good author I can count on!❤

  22. Sorry so late to respond, but this is the sweetest story, Karen! I just loved how it all came about! And how fun that you could be a part of such a grand romantic gesture!

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