I'm not sure why in the last week or so I have been getting more and more detail to my story- especially near the end. No- I'm not going into great detail because that would be a spoiling a surprise- but let's say that the ending to this tale will not disappoint!
The thing that continues to amaze me is the timing of songs, movie clips, quotes, and other things that cross my path. For example- I was watching the Matrix with Rich last night and Morpheus says "There is a difference between knowing the path and walking the path." It fit right in with something in the end that I had just visualized in my head only hours before.
Also this quote hit me between the eyes..
."Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life and don't let the noise of others' opinions drown out your own inner voice. Most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition. They somehow already know what you truly want to become." —Steve Jobs
That inner voice.....boy am I getting to know the sound of that!
And the new song by Coldplay that I had downloaded last week thinking it was just a song to enjoy and listen to turned into a huge conduit for me visualizing an important theme for Afton.
Two lyrical gems:
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Monday, July 18, 2011
Mighty Warrior
This week I have been doing a whole lot of thinking about how my story first began and how far I have come. The first paragraph of my prologue came in August three years ago. I really had no idea what I was doing or who the characters were. I remember tucking those first sentences in my Message Bible before I went to a Beth Moore conference.
Any of you who have ever been involved in her Bible studies- you know that she speaks the truth and she is very bold! I remember thinking that there was NO way that I could put a novel together and that I must be totally crazy! In the morning session she spoke about the impossible and how God was going to use the things that seem too big or too outrageous to show His power. I just kept thinking about that paragraph and wondered if He cared about that at all.
And then.....there was a whole lot of nothing. I kicked around some ideas- but for the most part I had nothing. Then in January- at church one morning I felt in my heart as if I was being called "Warrior Girl". It made sense because my novel is made up of these Women Warriors and that is something I could relate to. Then- the bottom seemed to drop out for me personally. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was having horrible cysts and tons of pain, and my neighbor's husband left her. What a mess! The book really took a backseat then.
In May I had major surgery and it was in June that the book took off! I had so many ideas and spent hours doing research on Celtic things, animals, swords, etc. The storyline was plotted out and I began to work on my characters. As the summer went by- I had more and more manuscript-but something was missing. I was getting all of the parts for the Good Guys...but nothing for the Bad Guys.
Then in church again....I felt as if I was being called "Writer"- which to me was a joke! I was just playing at this- the book was a hobby- a diversion- but not a serious thing. Being known as a writer was serious. It meant that I was doing this for real...with the hopes that one day the novel would get published.
Was I crazy? Maybe. But when I called the Frazier Museum and told them I was writing a novel and needed to do research on their swords....it got me in through the special back entrance and allowed me into the basement where they kept all of their costumes. It also got me into the sword ring where I took video. I also had the chance to work with a two handed sword and learned some sword fighting stances. All because I told them I was a writer.
That was one step closer to putting things together. After the RED concert in Louisville in Feb. I met my unexpected character and decided to leave him in the story. He honestly scared me to death...but he was the one who showed me the "dark side" of my story. I did not feel like a warrior or a writer. What surprised me when I was doing the writing assignment where I put myself in the story- I am always called Writer. Never my first or last name....just Writer.
Fast forward to yesterday....in church our pastor was talking about Gideon and how the Lord called him Mighty Warrior. Really? Here was a guy who was scared to death and was threshing wheat in a wine press so that the enemy would not see him. He said that "God knows who you are, even when you are not sure."
I had to stop for a minute as I was reminded that two years ago I was in the same boat. When I heard the name Warrior Girl it did not seem to fit me yet. And then later on- I really struggled with the title Writer. The funny thing is when our pastor told us to write down two words that describe us I wrote "powerful writer". WHAT? When did that become my truth?
Two things pastor said yesterday:
1-God called Gideon Mighty Warrior because he saw who he would become.
2-God met Gideon in the strength that he had. (God did not wait until Gideon became the Mighty Warrior- he met him at his wimpy stage and worked with what he had.)
Ok- so these past two years I have been working through those truths. And if you know anything about the story of Gideon you know that later on he would be asked to reduce his army of thousands down to 300. Why? So that Gideon would know it was the Lord winning the battle and not Gideon. Pastor Dave then said this...
"We limit God because we pick things that are relatively safe so that if God doesn't come through we can still do it ourselves."
Then Gideon is called to battle in a very unconventional way- but by that time he knows God's voice and follows through with it even though it seems CRAZY! And God comes through for Gideon. Even with torches and clay pots. Even with 300 men against thousands. Even in a man that was scared to death and did not see himself as a warrior. Even then.
I had to stop for a moment and look at that in my own life. I was scared to death about beginning a novel and questioned it a thousand times. I have no idea how it will all come together, but each day, each idea, each paragraph- I am coming closer to the end. Then begins the search for an editor and publisher and all of those "book" things. But for now- I am going to take the mantel of Writer and keep doing what I now do best. And that is to write. I have chosen to do something that is NOT safe....am I scared?
Yes I am.
But I also know that the One who has been calling me Warrior Girl and Writer has got this one. So - like Gideon- I just keep moving forward.
What about you? Is there something that you are scared to death of? Something that you are limiting God in? Are you being called a name that you do not feel you can "fit" into? I encourage you to explore that today and see where it takes you. You will not be disappointed!
I am including the video "Get It Right" by Silverline. Be encouraged Mighty Warrior! (and watch the video to the very end....)
Any of you who have ever been involved in her Bible studies- you know that she speaks the truth and she is very bold! I remember thinking that there was NO way that I could put a novel together and that I must be totally crazy! In the morning session she spoke about the impossible and how God was going to use the things that seem too big or too outrageous to show His power. I just kept thinking about that paragraph and wondered if He cared about that at all.
And then.....there was a whole lot of nothing. I kicked around some ideas- but for the most part I had nothing. Then in January- at church one morning I felt in my heart as if I was being called "Warrior Girl". It made sense because my novel is made up of these Women Warriors and that is something I could relate to. Then- the bottom seemed to drop out for me personally. My mom was diagnosed with breast cancer, I was having horrible cysts and tons of pain, and my neighbor's husband left her. What a mess! The book really took a backseat then.
In May I had major surgery and it was in June that the book took off! I had so many ideas and spent hours doing research on Celtic things, animals, swords, etc. The storyline was plotted out and I began to work on my characters. As the summer went by- I had more and more manuscript-but something was missing. I was getting all of the parts for the Good Guys...but nothing for the Bad Guys.
Then in church again....I felt as if I was being called "Writer"- which to me was a joke! I was just playing at this- the book was a hobby- a diversion- but not a serious thing. Being known as a writer was serious. It meant that I was doing this for real...with the hopes that one day the novel would get published.
Was I crazy? Maybe. But when I called the Frazier Museum and told them I was writing a novel and needed to do research on their swords....it got me in through the special back entrance and allowed me into the basement where they kept all of their costumes. It also got me into the sword ring where I took video. I also had the chance to work with a two handed sword and learned some sword fighting stances. All because I told them I was a writer.
That was one step closer to putting things together. After the RED concert in Louisville in Feb. I met my unexpected character and decided to leave him in the story. He honestly scared me to death...but he was the one who showed me the "dark side" of my story. I did not feel like a warrior or a writer. What surprised me when I was doing the writing assignment where I put myself in the story- I am always called Writer. Never my first or last name....just Writer.
Fast forward to yesterday....in church our pastor was talking about Gideon and how the Lord called him Mighty Warrior. Really? Here was a guy who was scared to death and was threshing wheat in a wine press so that the enemy would not see him. He said that "God knows who you are, even when you are not sure."
I had to stop for a minute as I was reminded that two years ago I was in the same boat. When I heard the name Warrior Girl it did not seem to fit me yet. And then later on- I really struggled with the title Writer. The funny thing is when our pastor told us to write down two words that describe us I wrote "powerful writer". WHAT? When did that become my truth?
Two things pastor said yesterday:
1-God called Gideon Mighty Warrior because he saw who he would become.
2-God met Gideon in the strength that he had. (God did not wait until Gideon became the Mighty Warrior- he met him at his wimpy stage and worked with what he had.)
Ok- so these past two years I have been working through those truths. And if you know anything about the story of Gideon you know that later on he would be asked to reduce his army of thousands down to 300. Why? So that Gideon would know it was the Lord winning the battle and not Gideon. Pastor Dave then said this...
"We limit God because we pick things that are relatively safe so that if God doesn't come through we can still do it ourselves."
Then Gideon is called to battle in a very unconventional way- but by that time he knows God's voice and follows through with it even though it seems CRAZY! And God comes through for Gideon. Even with torches and clay pots. Even with 300 men against thousands. Even in a man that was scared to death and did not see himself as a warrior. Even then.
I had to stop for a moment and look at that in my own life. I was scared to death about beginning a novel and questioned it a thousand times. I have no idea how it will all come together, but each day, each idea, each paragraph- I am coming closer to the end. Then begins the search for an editor and publisher and all of those "book" things. But for now- I am going to take the mantel of Writer and keep doing what I now do best. And that is to write. I have chosen to do something that is NOT safe....am I scared?
Yes I am.
But I also know that the One who has been calling me Warrior Girl and Writer has got this one. So - like Gideon- I just keep moving forward.
What about you? Is there something that you are scared to death of? Something that you are limiting God in? Are you being called a name that you do not feel you can "fit" into? I encourage you to explore that today and see where it takes you. You will not be disappointed!
I am including the video "Get It Right" by Silverline. Be encouraged Mighty Warrior! (and watch the video to the very end....)
Monday, July 11, 2011
Girl Power!
I woke up this morning with Afton on my mind. That's not a big deal considering she is my main character in my novel...but she is unique in the fact that most high adventure main characters are boys. (Percy Jackson, Harry Potter, etc.) Since the first day I came up with the idea for the story- she has been the hero of the story. Sure- there are plenty of guys in the story, as a matter of fact Afton's best friend is a boy named Will, but she along with a few other girls, have the spotlight.
I had someone ask me if Afton was like Zena. My reply? No. Afton is just a girl who find herself in the midst of a quest. A quest she did not ask for and in a battle she did not start. Along the way she finds herself in many different situations that help her to become the woman she was meant to be.
I would have to say that my inspiration for Afton came from the voices of girls in books that I loved as a girl. Heidi, Anne, Caddie, Laura, Jo, and Scout to name a few. Here were strong girls that, in their own unique way, found their way into the hearts of those that read their stories. In today's literature there are a whole new generation of strong girls: Bella, Clary, and Katniss- they too join the ranks of strong girls.
I love that Afton loves sword fighting! It is like breathing to her and I love that she is very accomplished at it. She did have some natural talent for it, but also trained hard to become the warrior she is near the end. That doesn't mean she is any less female just because she is good with a sword. That's just her "thing". Other girls in the story are good at other things; healing others, singing, speaking words of truth. (There is another girl who is talented not just with the sword but with other weapons too! She is a kick!)
The thing I am learning through the creative process is that strength comes in many different forms. One does not have to wield a sword to be powerful.
All I have to do is look at the women and girls around me to know this truth.
I see power in the girl who is afraid to go to a new school, but gets the courage to do it and finds out she is stronger than she ever suspected!
I see the woman whose husband left, who is now raising her children on her own and taking chances she never dreamed of two years ago.
I know several women who are finding that as they pick through the pieces of their former lives- they are finding shards that they are using to rebuild their lives and the lives of those around them.
I love the women who use their creative voice to tell their story. Be it through dance, poetry, jewelry making, sewing, or writing a novel, the women around me are not sitting in silence- they are letting their voices be heard!
I get so emotional when I really think about the women in my past and in my present who have shared their lives with me. You have all had a part in writing my novel, because you have spoken into my life. I think of both my grandmothers, my mom, my friends in high school and college, my friends in several states, my former students, and the list goes on.
So to all of those women and girls.....this blog is for YOU today! Thank you for touching my life with your unique story and showing me the power you have. I am so glad our paths have crossed!
I am dedicating the song "Fire In My Eyes" by Fireflight to all of you!
Here's to Girl Power!!
***********************
The book characters I referred to:
Heidi- "Heidi"
Anne- "Anne of Green Gables"
Caddie- "Caddie Woodlawn"
Laura- "Little House on the Prairie"
Jo- "Little Women"
Scout- "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Bella- "Breaking Dawn"
Clary-"City of Bones"
Katniss- "Hunger Games"
I had someone ask me if Afton was like Zena. My reply? No. Afton is just a girl who find herself in the midst of a quest. A quest she did not ask for and in a battle she did not start. Along the way she finds herself in many different situations that help her to become the woman she was meant to be.
I would have to say that my inspiration for Afton came from the voices of girls in books that I loved as a girl. Heidi, Anne, Caddie, Laura, Jo, and Scout to name a few. Here were strong girls that, in their own unique way, found their way into the hearts of those that read their stories. In today's literature there are a whole new generation of strong girls: Bella, Clary, and Katniss- they too join the ranks of strong girls.
I love that Afton loves sword fighting! It is like breathing to her and I love that she is very accomplished at it. She did have some natural talent for it, but also trained hard to become the warrior she is near the end. That doesn't mean she is any less female just because she is good with a sword. That's just her "thing". Other girls in the story are good at other things; healing others, singing, speaking words of truth. (There is another girl who is talented not just with the sword but with other weapons too! She is a kick!)
The thing I am learning through the creative process is that strength comes in many different forms. One does not have to wield a sword to be powerful.
All I have to do is look at the women and girls around me to know this truth.
I see power in the girl who is afraid to go to a new school, but gets the courage to do it and finds out she is stronger than she ever suspected!
I see the woman whose husband left, who is now raising her children on her own and taking chances she never dreamed of two years ago.
I know several women who are finding that as they pick through the pieces of their former lives- they are finding shards that they are using to rebuild their lives and the lives of those around them.
I love the women who use their creative voice to tell their story. Be it through dance, poetry, jewelry making, sewing, or writing a novel, the women around me are not sitting in silence- they are letting their voices be heard!
I get so emotional when I really think about the women in my past and in my present who have shared their lives with me. You have all had a part in writing my novel, because you have spoken into my life. I think of both my grandmothers, my mom, my friends in high school and college, my friends in several states, my former students, and the list goes on.
So to all of those women and girls.....this blog is for YOU today! Thank you for touching my life with your unique story and showing me the power you have. I am so glad our paths have crossed!
I am dedicating the song "Fire In My Eyes" by Fireflight to all of you!
Here's to Girl Power!!
***********************
The book characters I referred to:
Heidi- "Heidi"
Anne- "Anne of Green Gables"
Caddie- "Caddie Woodlawn"
Laura- "Little House on the Prairie"
Jo- "Little Women"
Scout- "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Bella- "Breaking Dawn"
Clary-"City of Bones"
Katniss- "Hunger Games"
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Hope & Ravens
I've been reading a book called "Plan B" by Pete Wilson. It's all about how God works through those Plan B moments in your life...you know- when you have Plan A all figured out and it crashes down around you and you have to go to Plan B.
No one chooses a Plan B- it just happens. And I know because I have been through a few in my life- having scoliosis and wearing a back brace for three years in Jr. High (that makes you really popular by the way), dealing with an eating disorder, the death of my grandma, grandpa and dad in a four month period of time, moving far away from family & friends, and infertility. I am no stranger to Plan Bs, so you would think I would be prepared for them by now.
Nope.
Not even close.
My husband lost his job six months ago and things have been really tough. There has been no one to bail us out and it is a scary time, especially having two kids. The job hunt has been slow and we are all without health insurance. Honestly- there are some things that have not gotten paid. I hate it with all my heart- but it is what it is. It stinks. And in moments of weakness I have not dealt with it very well.
So when I had the chance to see RED in Indy- I was so stoked because I knew I would take some shred of hope with me. And it got cancelled. Another Plan B- actually one of the gals with me that night called it that- and I didn't do too well with that either. Then I jumped at the chance to go see them in Nashville and the shred of hope that I so longed for was WAY more than that!
You see- God spoke through those four guys that night and gave me a whole lot of hope and not just a shred! When Michael sang "Not Alone" he knelt down and during the part "And I will be your hope, when you feel like it's over, I will pick you up- when your whole world shatters," and as he looked in my eyes- I knew that God had ahold of me- of my family- my novel- my school- my friends- He had it.
Pete Wilson says this; "While life is uncertain, God is not. While our power is limited, God's is limitless. While our hope may be fragile, God is hope himself."
Hope.
My hope is fragile at best..but God IS hope. Wow! That is an amazing truth! And it mirrors "Not Alone"
"I am with you, I will carry you through it all. I won't leave you, I will catch you when you feel like letting go, cuz you're not, you're not alone..."
It's been a theme for me the last few weeks....hope. It has come in the form of Bible verses, songs, movies, you name it- it has come my way.
So today I found out that I did not get selected for the writing conference that I applied for a scholarship for. I was crushed and here we go with Plan B again.... but I read the words from the book "Plan B" and here is what it said:
"I can have hope when there is no circumstantial reason to have hope. My hope is not based on what the stock market does or what others think of me or whether my life turns out the way I want it to turn out. My hope is based on a powerful, in-control God who can do and will do the impossible."
Yep..more hope.
Then I had a 'light bulb' moment. Elijah in the Bible had been dealing with some tough things and found himself alone and without food. But God sent him hope in the form of a raven. That raven fed Elijah faithfully and was God's way of giving him hope.
Just as I know God has sent my ravens in my yard as well as in my novel. They give me hope. And I know that God has plans that I have no clue about. No matter what the Plan B is- unemployment or a dashed dream or whatever you are going through right now...Hope is there.
When I was having my pity party about the writing thing this afternoon and was bulleting prayers at God- the only thing I could think of was He was saying- "I've got this."
And that's enough for me.
No one chooses a Plan B- it just happens. And I know because I have been through a few in my life- having scoliosis and wearing a back brace for three years in Jr. High (that makes you really popular by the way), dealing with an eating disorder, the death of my grandma, grandpa and dad in a four month period of time, moving far away from family & friends, and infertility. I am no stranger to Plan Bs, so you would think I would be prepared for them by now.
Nope.
Not even close.
My husband lost his job six months ago and things have been really tough. There has been no one to bail us out and it is a scary time, especially having two kids. The job hunt has been slow and we are all without health insurance. Honestly- there are some things that have not gotten paid. I hate it with all my heart- but it is what it is. It stinks. And in moments of weakness I have not dealt with it very well.
So when I had the chance to see RED in Indy- I was so stoked because I knew I would take some shred of hope with me. And it got cancelled. Another Plan B- actually one of the gals with me that night called it that- and I didn't do too well with that either. Then I jumped at the chance to go see them in Nashville and the shred of hope that I so longed for was WAY more than that!
You see- God spoke through those four guys that night and gave me a whole lot of hope and not just a shred! When Michael sang "Not Alone" he knelt down and during the part "And I will be your hope, when you feel like it's over, I will pick you up- when your whole world shatters," and as he looked in my eyes- I knew that God had ahold of me- of my family- my novel- my school- my friends- He had it.
Pete Wilson says this; "While life is uncertain, God is not. While our power is limited, God's is limitless. While our hope may be fragile, God is hope himself."
Hope.
My hope is fragile at best..but God IS hope. Wow! That is an amazing truth! And it mirrors "Not Alone"
"I am with you, I will carry you through it all. I won't leave you, I will catch you when you feel like letting go, cuz you're not, you're not alone..."
It's been a theme for me the last few weeks....hope. It has come in the form of Bible verses, songs, movies, you name it- it has come my way.
So today I found out that I did not get selected for the writing conference that I applied for a scholarship for. I was crushed and here we go with Plan B again.... but I read the words from the book "Plan B" and here is what it said:
"I can have hope when there is no circumstantial reason to have hope. My hope is not based on what the stock market does or what others think of me or whether my life turns out the way I want it to turn out. My hope is based on a powerful, in-control God who can do and will do the impossible."
Yep..more hope.
Then I had a 'light bulb' moment. Elijah in the Bible had been dealing with some tough things and found himself alone and without food. But God sent him hope in the form of a raven. That raven fed Elijah faithfully and was God's way of giving him hope.
Just as I know God has sent my ravens in my yard as well as in my novel. They give me hope. And I know that God has plans that I have no clue about. No matter what the Plan B is- unemployment or a dashed dream or whatever you are going through right now...Hope is there.
When I was having my pity party about the writing thing this afternoon and was bulleting prayers at God- the only thing I could think of was He was saying- "I've got this."
And that's enough for me.
Saturday, July 2, 2011
Careful...or You'll End Up in My Novel
I am an observer. I love to watch people- and I learned from the master. My father was rather unassuming but he loved to people watch. When he and mom went to Las Vegas it was no surprise to me that his favorite thing to do was watch the people in the lobby of the hotel they stayed in. (He saw many bizarre people by the way...) Through the years I have gleaned much from just stepping back and watching people. Maybe that's why at first I may seem quiet or stuck up. I'm not either of those things, but I am observing the situation. It gives me a better idea of how to proceed.
Turns out this is an invaluable tool for writers. Even though I write fiction, I pick up inspiration from watching people. Not one single character is based on one person- but a mish-mash of physical, emotional, and verbal characteristics. So when a dear friend of mine from Nebraska sent me a sign that reads "Careful.. or you'll end up in my novel" it was the truth. If the people around me really knew what I have picked up from watching them....well I don't know if they would be honored or freaked out. (so far no restraining orders have been issued against me! LOL!)
For example, last night at the fireworks display- I saw a very tiny girl sitting on an older man's shoulders. The man was grinning from ear to ear and the itty-bitty was grabbing handfuls of his hair and giggling like mad. As I watched them, my mind took note of the man's movement, his smile and the girl's laughter. I know somewhere in my story an older man will have a small child on his shoulders with the same smile on his face. That man will never know that his simple act of carrying the small girl (possibly his granddaughter?) inspired a small scene in my novel.
As I mentioned, not one single person in my story is based on a real person- but pieces of them. For example- one of my main guys looks like the lead singer in Disciple- has the intensity and drive of Michael from RED- has the personality of my husband- and a voice similar to Josh Groban. So is he any one of those folks? Nope. He is made up of pieces of them....and others too.
I have found that Cracker Barrel is a wonderful place to get ideas from. On Christmas Eve last year there was a huge group of guys (all ages and sizes) hanging out and eating together. The noise level was crazy and it was hard for me to focus on any one person -there was so many of them talking and telling stories. Then the food came....and it became silent. The noise didn't fade away- it simply stopped. I fought the urge to laugh out loud! As they ate- there were snippets of conversation- but not much. I whipped my notebook out (I carry one or two of them everywhere....even small ones for my purse) and wrote furiously. I know it will end up somewhere in the novel. Maybe the guys are eating in the Great Hall of a castle...I don't know..but it inspired me.
If you are around me at all...chances are I have snatched something to use in my story. I probably won't tell you because like I said my characters are their own creations, but when the day comes that you read my book, you may wonder about it.
I have a set of twin brothers in my story and they have been so much fun to create. I can tell you that they started out as inspiration from a band that I love....but they have evolved into their own personalities and I am so crazy about Thad and Zev! I took a starting point and observed the real people- then I took some other things and created my characters.
So really....you don't need to be careful- chances are you are in my novel in some way, shape. or form. And if you aren't in this one--you may be in the next! LOL!
I challenge you to look around today. Just sit back and watch what's going on around you. You don't have to be a writer to observe and get inspiration from others.
By the way....when I finally found a picture of one of my bad guys- it didn't come from someone I knew, it came in a advertisement for men's clothes. I opened up the mailbox and there he was, just waiting for me to notice him!
Turns out this is an invaluable tool for writers. Even though I write fiction, I pick up inspiration from watching people. Not one single character is based on one person- but a mish-mash of physical, emotional, and verbal characteristics. So when a dear friend of mine from Nebraska sent me a sign that reads "Careful.. or you'll end up in my novel" it was the truth. If the people around me really knew what I have picked up from watching them....well I don't know if they would be honored or freaked out. (so far no restraining orders have been issued against me! LOL!)
For example, last night at the fireworks display- I saw a very tiny girl sitting on an older man's shoulders. The man was grinning from ear to ear and the itty-bitty was grabbing handfuls of his hair and giggling like mad. As I watched them, my mind took note of the man's movement, his smile and the girl's laughter. I know somewhere in my story an older man will have a small child on his shoulders with the same smile on his face. That man will never know that his simple act of carrying the small girl (possibly his granddaughter?) inspired a small scene in my novel.
As I mentioned, not one single person in my story is based on a real person- but pieces of them. For example- one of my main guys looks like the lead singer in Disciple- has the intensity and drive of Michael from RED- has the personality of my husband- and a voice similar to Josh Groban. So is he any one of those folks? Nope. He is made up of pieces of them....and others too.
I have found that Cracker Barrel is a wonderful place to get ideas from. On Christmas Eve last year there was a huge group of guys (all ages and sizes) hanging out and eating together. The noise level was crazy and it was hard for me to focus on any one person -there was so many of them talking and telling stories. Then the food came....and it became silent. The noise didn't fade away- it simply stopped. I fought the urge to laugh out loud! As they ate- there were snippets of conversation- but not much. I whipped my notebook out (I carry one or two of them everywhere....even small ones for my purse) and wrote furiously. I know it will end up somewhere in the novel. Maybe the guys are eating in the Great Hall of a castle...I don't know..but it inspired me.
If you are around me at all...chances are I have snatched something to use in my story. I probably won't tell you because like I said my characters are their own creations, but when the day comes that you read my book, you may wonder about it.
I have a set of twin brothers in my story and they have been so much fun to create. I can tell you that they started out as inspiration from a band that I love....but they have evolved into their own personalities and I am so crazy about Thad and Zev! I took a starting point and observed the real people- then I took some other things and created my characters.
So really....you don't need to be careful- chances are you are in my novel in some way, shape. or form. And if you aren't in this one--you may be in the next! LOL!
I challenge you to look around today. Just sit back and watch what's going on around you. You don't have to be a writer to observe and get inspiration from others.
By the way....when I finally found a picture of one of my bad guys- it didn't come from someone I knew, it came in a advertisement for men's clothes. I opened up the mailbox and there he was, just waiting for me to notice him!
Saturday, June 18, 2011
23 Years Later- What that 21 year-old bride Did Not Know...
Today is our 23rd Wedding Anniversary. As I think about that, I am reminded that I was only 21 years old when I promised to love and honor in good times and bad, sickness and health and all the other promises we made that day.
My 21 year old self did not know what would be embedded in those 23 years. I knew we wanted children but did not think it would take 13 years for that to happen. I had no idea that we would live in seven different communities, both of us graduated from college, have two cats and three dogs, and that I would lose my dad at 32.
No- there were a lot of things my 21 year old self did not know. Like how much work it takes to keep communication going in a relationship. How much you have to give of yourself, or how loud your new husband would SNORE!! LOL~
But that 21 year old also had no idea of what a wonderful man she had. She had no idea of the caliber of man she had chosen. How he would support her and encourage her and make her laugh when things seemed hopeless, and how all these years later- she would still adore him. She could not have imagined how many times he would pray with and for her, and the little surprises he would shower on her.
I remember one Christmas that Rich sent me on a scavenger hunt and ended with a huge box. I kept opening and opening as the boxes got smaller and smaller until I opened a key. The key opened a drawer in our computer cabinet and inside was a ring box with a sapphire ring inside! I still don't know how he managed to afford it or hide it- but he did.
I would tell that 21 year old girl that when she would journey through one of the darkest times in her life (her grandma, grandpa and dad would all die in less than 5 months) that her husband would be right there holding her up, crying with her, and helping her through the mind-numbing pain. He would also be there for two of the greatest days ever....the day Kendall was born and the day Ian was born. How he cut each of their umbilical cords and was right there while they were weighed and measured. How he rejoiced in each child and how he continues to love and guide each of them now.
I think that in another 23 years what my 67 year old self will say to the 44 year old who is typing this now. What other sorrows and joys will we have walked through together?
All I can say is that 23 years ago my life was joined with another....and I am honored and humbled to have walked this journey with him....
I love you Rich!!
My 21 year old self did not know what would be embedded in those 23 years. I knew we wanted children but did not think it would take 13 years for that to happen. I had no idea that we would live in seven different communities, both of us graduated from college, have two cats and three dogs, and that I would lose my dad at 32.
No- there were a lot of things my 21 year old self did not know. Like how much work it takes to keep communication going in a relationship. How much you have to give of yourself, or how loud your new husband would SNORE!! LOL~
But that 21 year old also had no idea of what a wonderful man she had. She had no idea of the caliber of man she had chosen. How he would support her and encourage her and make her laugh when things seemed hopeless, and how all these years later- she would still adore him. She could not have imagined how many times he would pray with and for her, and the little surprises he would shower on her.
I remember one Christmas that Rich sent me on a scavenger hunt and ended with a huge box. I kept opening and opening as the boxes got smaller and smaller until I opened a key. The key opened a drawer in our computer cabinet and inside was a ring box with a sapphire ring inside! I still don't know how he managed to afford it or hide it- but he did.
I would tell that 21 year old girl that when she would journey through one of the darkest times in her life (her grandma, grandpa and dad would all die in less than 5 months) that her husband would be right there holding her up, crying with her, and helping her through the mind-numbing pain. He would also be there for two of the greatest days ever....the day Kendall was born and the day Ian was born. How he cut each of their umbilical cords and was right there while they were weighed and measured. How he rejoiced in each child and how he continues to love and guide each of them now.
I think that in another 23 years what my 67 year old self will say to the 44 year old who is typing this now. What other sorrows and joys will we have walked through together?
All I can say is that 23 years ago my life was joined with another....and I am honored and humbled to have walked this journey with him....
I love you Rich!!
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Super Heroes are my Friends!
I've been trying to give myself some time off now that school is out and try and "dial down". What I did not bargain for was this past week.
I'm usually a very positive person and don't get too negative or depressed about things. And then this week happened. We really thought that my husband would get the job he had interviewed for which would bring some welcome relief to this 5 months of unemployment. I had auditioned for a show that I had always wanted to do and I had tickets to see my favorite band in the entire universe...RED. I had also planned on really getting on with my writing.
So- the hubby did not get the job- I did not get a part in the show- RED cancelled their concert- and I did not write much of anything. Yay! It seemed as if nothing was going according to my plan.
Here's what I am realizing this morning....we got to spend some time with a neat couple in the town my husband had the job interview in. We learned more about them and that they are the most gracious hosts you could ever want. I did my best at the tryouts and have no control at the outcome. It was simply not to be this time. But I do have some wonderful friends that I have met through drama and just because I am not in the show doesn't mean I will lose them. Some of my best pals in the world were with me when we found out the RED show was cancelled and they pooled their money together to buy me a necklace at the mall that has some symbols of my book on it. (cross, skull, lock, a wing, and a heart) They knew I was sooo disappointed and bummed out and showed their love for me by buying it.
When I got home last night, my best friend in all the world was there to listen to me share my feelings about all the crap that happened this week. I am so proud to say that next Saturday I will have been married to this friend for 23 years!
I got on Facebook last night to post what had happened and to check out what the band was saying about the cancellation. What it boiled down to was the venue was not safe. It was in a rough neighborhood- which is not a complete deal breaker with me- but the fact that it was dirty and had human waste on the floor of the bathrooms and the sound system was shot....was a deal breaker. I figured that RED did what was in the best interest of the fans. Yes I was bummed- but in the grand scheme of things...this was for our safety.
People from the venue had been posting things on their site that were not very nice at all..so I posted that I still loved RED (which I do) and that we had talked to people that worked in the mall that had told us the venue was not great. Another fan liked my status and sent me a private message. After messaging each other I find out that RED is her ultimate favorite band, she has done the Acoustic Experience (met them on the tour bus) has kids, and is writing her first novel.
Yes- you saw that right...not only had I met a fellow REDhead- I had (through the cancellation of the show) just "met" someone who I could relate to. My fingers could not type fast enough to reply to her. I'm not sure what will happen with this...but I do know that I have another person to call my friend- and she is in good company.
I have learned this week that friends are what it's all about. I am finally beginning to get it through my thick skull that the best of friends will stick with you no matter what you are going through. No matter what your attitude is or if you yell because you are trying to deal with the emotions, or if you feel like pulling away..they will hold your arms so that you can't run.
Another friend gave me a coin that has a very Celtic looking cross on it on one side and the words on the other side read; "With God, all things are possible". Someone had walked into the store she was working in and gave it to her. She had just gotten finished reading my notes of FB about what a crummy week I had and Friday night she gave it to me at our Girls Night Out. I was deeply moved by her gift, just as I was with the ladies buying the necklace last night, and my husband waiting up for me last night so I could vent my feelings to him. Even through the mess of the cancelled RED show last night...I made a new friend.
No one lives in a vacuum. We all need people around us to encourage and support us. Until this week I did not realize how important our friends are- not only in the great times, but in the dark times.
It's funny- as I am typing this on our back deck, my raven pair is going crazy this morning. They are calling to each other and flying and dive bombing and moving from tree to tree. They are two sleek black encouragers sent by the Ultimate Friend to let me know to keep going with my writing. To keep sitting in that seat day after day after day and write.
So you see....they are all my Super Heroes! I love you guys!
Do you have friends that are there not only in the good times, but the tough ones too? Let them know today what they mean to you! You won't be sorry you did!
I'm usually a very positive person and don't get too negative or depressed about things. And then this week happened. We really thought that my husband would get the job he had interviewed for which would bring some welcome relief to this 5 months of unemployment. I had auditioned for a show that I had always wanted to do and I had tickets to see my favorite band in the entire universe...RED. I had also planned on really getting on with my writing.
So- the hubby did not get the job- I did not get a part in the show- RED cancelled their concert- and I did not write much of anything. Yay! It seemed as if nothing was going according to my plan.
Here's what I am realizing this morning....we got to spend some time with a neat couple in the town my husband had the job interview in. We learned more about them and that they are the most gracious hosts you could ever want. I did my best at the tryouts and have no control at the outcome. It was simply not to be this time. But I do have some wonderful friends that I have met through drama and just because I am not in the show doesn't mean I will lose them. Some of my best pals in the world were with me when we found out the RED show was cancelled and they pooled their money together to buy me a necklace at the mall that has some symbols of my book on it. (cross, skull, lock, a wing, and a heart) They knew I was sooo disappointed and bummed out and showed their love for me by buying it.
When I got home last night, my best friend in all the world was there to listen to me share my feelings about all the crap that happened this week. I am so proud to say that next Saturday I will have been married to this friend for 23 years!
I got on Facebook last night to post what had happened and to check out what the band was saying about the cancellation. What it boiled down to was the venue was not safe. It was in a rough neighborhood- which is not a complete deal breaker with me- but the fact that it was dirty and had human waste on the floor of the bathrooms and the sound system was shot....was a deal breaker. I figured that RED did what was in the best interest of the fans. Yes I was bummed- but in the grand scheme of things...this was for our safety.
People from the venue had been posting things on their site that were not very nice at all..so I posted that I still loved RED (which I do) and that we had talked to people that worked in the mall that had told us the venue was not great. Another fan liked my status and sent me a private message. After messaging each other I find out that RED is her ultimate favorite band, she has done the Acoustic Experience (met them on the tour bus) has kids, and is writing her first novel.
Yes- you saw that right...not only had I met a fellow REDhead- I had (through the cancellation of the show) just "met" someone who I could relate to. My fingers could not type fast enough to reply to her. I'm not sure what will happen with this...but I do know that I have another person to call my friend- and she is in good company.
I have learned this week that friends are what it's all about. I am finally beginning to get it through my thick skull that the best of friends will stick with you no matter what you are going through. No matter what your attitude is or if you yell because you are trying to deal with the emotions, or if you feel like pulling away..they will hold your arms so that you can't run.
Another friend gave me a coin that has a very Celtic looking cross on it on one side and the words on the other side read; "With God, all things are possible". Someone had walked into the store she was working in and gave it to her. She had just gotten finished reading my notes of FB about what a crummy week I had and Friday night she gave it to me at our Girls Night Out. I was deeply moved by her gift, just as I was with the ladies buying the necklace last night, and my husband waiting up for me last night so I could vent my feelings to him. Even through the mess of the cancelled RED show last night...I made a new friend.
No one lives in a vacuum. We all need people around us to encourage and support us. Until this week I did not realize how important our friends are- not only in the great times, but in the dark times.
It's funny- as I am typing this on our back deck, my raven pair is going crazy this morning. They are calling to each other and flying and dive bombing and moving from tree to tree. They are two sleek black encouragers sent by the Ultimate Friend to let me know to keep going with my writing. To keep sitting in that seat day after day after day and write.
So you see....they are all my Super Heroes! I love you guys!
Do you have friends that are there not only in the good times, but the tough ones too? Let them know today what they mean to you! You won't be sorry you did!
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