Memorial Day

Everyone who puts on a uniform is a hero in my book. I want to thank all the service men and women who stand tall with honor and grace who are fighting for our right to freedom.

Thank you, to those who have paid the ultimate price for our way of life, I am humbled beyond any words that can be spoken for your sacrifice.

Saying thank you sometimes just doesn't seem adequate in comparison to what is in my heart, but honestly, I don't think there are words. There are just tears, of sadness, of wonder and of great happiness to know that I am part of a country that is so great. It humbles me to know that what we have is built on sacrifices of the men and women who have fought for our way of life, driven by a vision, a dream that was founded by our forefathers for all future generations.

Enjoy your day with family and friends and remember what this day is meant for.

Characterization and How I Create.

The fresh air is blowing softly through my hair and a dog barks in the distance, my own dogs ears perk up in interest looking around as if they don't want to miss out on what is happening beyond the fenced yard. My cat is rubbing his face against my leg and looking up at me as if he is planning on jumping to my shoulders. I scratch his ears and pet him giving him attention and tell him no as he begins to crouch low as he gets ready to leap. I gently pet him as I pick him up for a few minutes then put him down, he runs off satisfied as a bee flies by capturing his attention.

I'm drinking my coffee and enjoying the morning and thinking back to a time when I first began writing. I read books constantly as a means to escape my reality in a home that was not a very happy place. I remember finding solace when I tried my hand at poetry and found that this was a good way to release feelings that were pent up inside that had no other way of coming out. I began writing little stories that I made up, it was fun, I found joy in a world I created, to escape the realities of life. I found my fiction world.

Of course not every memory I have is bad. I was able to hold on to moments that made me happy, I was able to see the good even when things weren't. I took bits and pieces of people with me, and I actually began to create characters that I used in my stories.

I still do that. My characters are of everyone I meet, bits and pieces I want to capture, a certain smile, a quirk of someones, a personality trait, a beard, the color of eyes, how they dress, if they limp, bite their nails, if they are mean, contradictory, or gentle. When I see a physical scar I wonder why they have it, I think of the scars we don't see. I'm always asking, why do people do what they do?

There is so much in those around all of us. We don't need to keep looking if we take the time to see what is right next to us.

I can pick up traits of people and find out what kind of character they have in the way they treat people in general, their partners, their kids and how they treat their animals.

Seeing someone angry is a learning experience that gives me insight in the reasons why they get angry, and how they handle it. I do the same when I see tender moments between people, sadness, loss, and great happiness. The subtle joy people have is really something you have to be attuned too, because those are the moments most people miss. Those are the moments that really mean something.

There are so many other things to look out for and observe. Like food and culture. I guess the list can go on to infinity if one takes the time to observe.

Through all of this, I have found myself. I have lived and experienced life as a participant, not a bystander. By experiencing most things I have observed in others gives me another dimension that I can use in my characters. I can make them feel, they become real and this makes them something others can relate too. I know when I read a book, I want to be able to delve right in and be apart of certain characters. I want to feel what they feel etc.

I often wonder how others create their characters. I'd love to hear about it if you should care to post.

Have a wonderful Mother's Day everyone.