April 08th, 2024

Meet Jane Roland, the “Shirley Holmes” of the Watercolor Mysteries

I asked my friend, Janet Rodekohr, to write a few sentences about how she feels about having the main character in my mystery series based on her, and here’s what she wrote:
”Jane is a no-nonsense practical person who quietly analyzes the clues and makes connections. She’s not swayed by emotions or rumors. She sticks with the facts and figures it out.
How boring.
But I get it. I’m a proud (but quietly, of course) introvert. My emotional range stretches from A to B—no fireworks, no tantrums.
I sing in two choirs. I have what they call a blending voice. I stay in the background but dream of having a solo and amazing everybody.
I love to ski but I’m permanently an intermediate skier. Yet I fantasize about blazing down a slope, to the oohs and aahs of everyone else who just wishes they could ski that well.
I paint watercolors with Gail. Many in our group get into major exhibitions and sometimes win prizes. I cheer them on, but secretly dream of seeing my painting in the spotlight.
So do I like my alter-ego, Jane Roland, to be the key detective who solves crimes? Hell, yeah! I’m smiling as loud as I can.”

So would you call my main character a Plain Jane? Not really. She’s steady, smart, and skillful. Not loud or flamboyant. Not burdened with emotional baggage. She’s the kind of woman who keenly observes and confidently organizes, without calling attention to herself. In other words, she’s a perfect friend. And an ideal sleuth for a cozy mystery. Since it’s said that a picture is worth a thousand words, I’m including two of my watercolor paintings of the real-life Jane Roland.
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