Celebrating the people . . .

I am writing this in waning hours of Valentine's Day. While some look at it as strictly a holiday for lovers, I have always celebrated my family and friends, as well.

This got me to thinking about the various friends over the years. With some people that I meet, I just know that something clicks, and we are going to be friends. Opposites really do attract, or at least some on my list of friends would indicate that. Others, there may be something that just doesn't hit right. Those first impressions are just not right for whatever reason. I really have to laugh because there are a couple of those kind of encounters that developed into really close friends, or as I like to say friends for life.

When one thinks about it, our relationships with other people are multi-dimensional. These layers include how we initially met, what are the common interests that connect us, where we live, where we work, experiences we have together, and so on.

As a writer on the current project, I have a whole set of new friends- that live on paper...and in my mind! Laughs! The creation of the character is just like a new friendship, there are a variety of beginnings. It can be unexpected, music can be an inspiration, or the character can be connected to another. As a writer, I have an advantage in that I can write the character with the traits that I want him or her to have. (Don't you wish sometimes that was possible with your friends?)

Some characters are immediately likeable, others will grow on you! They, too, should be multi-dimensional. That is the challenge for any writer- writing characters so that readers can identify and connect with through various emotions and layers of personality. Sometimes the characters are like those friends that take awhile to be friends. A character may even be one that a reader loves to hate! I would have to say that developing characters is one of my favorite parts of writing a novel.

Naming the character is also really interesting and fun to me. I tend to do a lot of research to find meaningful names for the character's personality or purpose in the novel. I thoroughly enjoy it!

May you enjoy your family and friends, real and imaginary! (Of course, I am referring to any writers out there!)

Secrets One - The Series

Loving this new year . . .

I always welcome a new year, and I am happy that our calendars now show 2010!

Like many people, I sometimes feel that time passes much too quickly, so it is not that I am celebrating that aspect of it. I appreciate each and every day, and try to make the most of each and every one because none of us have a guarantee of another.

Someone once asked why I always tell my son that I love him when I talk to him on the phone, or when I am leaving to go someplace. My question was, “why not?” I try to always let my loved ones know what they mean to me as often as possible, and each day is new opportunity to do that.

There is an old wives’ tale that the first three days of the New Year forecast the first three months of the year. I have to laugh at that one! New Year’s Day here was very mild, so one would think the whole month should be, too. Wrong! There have been several days of zero temperatures or below. So, weather forecasting is also not why I am glad to see the New Year.

I am neither into the numerology nor the superstitious beliefs surrounding the New Year, either. And, by the way, I do not believe that the world will end in 2012. I am glad to get that one out of the way, early on! Laughs!

It is really quite simple- I welcome the New Year because of the 12 months of new opportunities that stretch out before me. I am a very visual person, and seeing those new calendar pages remind me that anything is possible on those blank pages.

The squares marking each day are also blank other than the occasional pre-printed holidays. How exciting to anticipate what the New Year will bring to fill those squares! There will be many happy events that occur this year, and most likely the unavoidable sad events, too. The year 2010 will be its own unique story.

Each of us can embrace the New Year – and each day and month in it- to make the most of those new opportunities- live and love life to its fullest.

And, of course- write to the fullest!

Secrets One - The Series

Which comes first . . .

Which comes first .....I bet you thought I was going to say the chicken or the egg, didn't you?

Actually, it is about one of my favorite topics- writing! And, how I process the world around me- in thought, that is.

It occurred to me the other day that even the everyday moments run through my mind like a story, or a seed of a story. Do I think that way because I am a writer, or am I a writer because I think that way?

Writing is not something that I have been trained to do, it is just something that IS inside me. As I have talked about before, I grew up as an only child in a family of readers. So, a love of reading came naturally. Perhaps that had an effect as well. My opinion is that each of us has a skill or gift, as some may say. The influences in each of our lives can enrich our skills or gifts.

In some cases, the opposite may be true- the influences could douse the spark. But at some point in the individual's life, that yearning will make itself known. That person will realize an interest in writing, painting, music...and suddenly feel such contentment! It will all make sense when that yearning is realized.

Back to my question, which comes first - I am still not sure. I am just going to enjoy the ideas and write something!

Secrets One – The Series