1. Is your character's mother alive, or deceased? If alive, what kind of health / shape is she in? If not, how did she die?
Sara/Ella 's mother is currently still alive. She's in good health.
Janie's Mother is Ella. She is still alive, and in fair health.
Lynn's mother is Janie, who is alive and in great health!
2. Was she married, or a single parent? A young or older woman when she gave birth to your character? How many children does she have?
Sara/Ella 's mother is a single parent. She was an older woman when she had Sara, and a few years later she had Ella. Those two are her only children.
Ella was unmarried, but the father of the baby was around and aware of the child. She had Janie at 18, at the end of her first and only year of college. She does not have any more children.
Janie was a teenager when she had Lynn, and due to memory loss did not know who her father was for five years. Janie has two children.
3. What sort of mother was she to your character when they were small? How did the relationship change as your char grew up?
Sara's mother was strict with her from the time she was a small child. As Sara grew older, the relationship became strained as her mother placed bigger and bigger burdens on her shoulder. This contrasts sharply to Ella, who grew up being pampered and getting everything that she wanted. Ella is still close to her mother this day, while Sara barely speaks to her.
Ella abandoned Janie as a baby, and only showed up in her life occasionally. They don't have a good relationship and barely speak to each other.
Janie doesn't remember Lynn's early childhood, and has no idea what to do with a child. As time passes, she gets more comfortable in the role and the two of them become very close.
4. Was there ever / could there ever be a time when your character and mom were more like friends than parent and child?
Ella and her mother were more like friends until Ella had Janie.
Janie and Ella were friends for a brief time when Janie was a teenager.
5. If your character has children (or plans to), how did their mother's parenting style influence the character's own? (can be positive or negative influence)
Ella was told to never have children, so when she did have one, she tried her hardest not to acknowledge it. She knew that if her mother was angry, that she might end up alone, like her sister Sara.
Sara wants children, and she plans to raise them better than her mother raised her and her sister. She refuses to follow in her Mother's footsteps.
Janie had no idea what to do, so she sought advice from family and friends, and has promised herself she will never abandon her child, if she can help it. She does, however, send her daughter off to stay with relatives, and if she's working extended hours, her daughter is left to fend for herself. That will change with time.
6. Did mom have any sayings, quirks, or rules that still influence the character's thoughts or behavior? (you'll put your eye out with that crossbow!, don't wear white before labor day, etc.)
Sara and Ella's mother said to never have children, and never to depend on anyone. She was stoic and wasted as little as possible. Sara learned to cloak her emotions and how to survive without much help. Ella was emotional and learned how to get what she needed from everyone else. Ella never wanted children, and refuses to have anymore. Both women have trust issues.
Janie remembered her mother flirting, and using others to get what she wants. She followed in her mothers footsteps for a few years before realizing that was not the life for her.
Lynn remembers Janie dedicating what she had to work and survival. She also remembers always moving. Even though she is spoiled, Lynn will work hard if it's something she really wants. She doesn't make friends easily, but that's because she hasn't had the chance to make any long term connections. She rarely flirts because she's seen her mother's heart broken too many times.
7. What role (if any) does your character's mother play in his or her story?
Sara and Ella's mother is out of the story, and only referred to by all of the characters. She represents the past, hard labor and a hard life.
Sara is the caretaker. She's called upon to clean up messes, take care of children and to make sure that everyone is healthy and safe. She is forced to find a place for Ella's unwanted child (Janie), and then later, she helps Janie with her children, since Ella can't.
Janie is seen as both a hero and a villain by Lynn. A villain at first when Janie is unsure of how to raise a child. Lynn resents the moves, the lack of friends and all the time alone. Later Lynn sees her mother working and realizes that she was just misguided, and decides to try her hardest to help others and to do the right thing.