The Infamous Mrs. Chapman

 

“The season is over!” Mrs. Chapman snapped.  “There is no acceptable reason to be wearing open toe shoes in September, young lady.  In fact, you ought to be ashamed of yourself.  What self-respecting young woman galivants around town with her bare feet on display at this time of year?  You look like a brazen hussy!”

 

- Patricia Chapman 

Patricia Chapman is an interesting character.  She's known to find fault with everything and everyone.  She's a miserable, judgmental curmudgeon, to put it bluntly.

But is that all she is?  I'll be the first to admit she's a rather outlandish character.  I initially wrote her into the first book to provide a bit of comic relief.  I suppose I think of her as the "Where's Waldo" of Prairie Crocus - except you want to avoid Waldo at all costs.

I imagine our sleuth, Claudia, and her friends go to great lengths to avoid Mrs. Chapman when they spot her.  Wouldn't you? 

 

Lately, though, I've been wondering about the infamous Mrs. Chapman.  Who is Patricia Chapman?  Why is she such a sourpuss?  Does she have any redeeming qualities, or is she strictly a one dimensional character whose sole purpose is to provide a chuckle and roll of the eyes? 

As an author, I don't always plan out every last detail of my books.  Characters evolve and take on more layers as I write.  Sometimes I don't even prepare an outline; I sit down to write with no idea where the story is going to go.  It keeps things interesting.

While I was working on Chocolate Cheesecake & Murder, I found myself becoming curious about Mrs. Chapman.  I've been daydreaming about her past and the life she's lived.  It's something I intend to explore in a future book when it feels like the right time.

Do you know someone like Mrs. Chapman?