Ever feel like you are talking in circles?

"I know ..."

"What do you know?"

"I know everything ... You can't tell me something I don't already know..."

"Great, but do you understand what you know?"

"Of course I understand what I know ..."

"I think not ..."

"Excuse me?"

"You might 'know' something, but understanding what you 'know' comes with time, patients and experience, and the willingness to learn from those who actually know."

"I know ..."

"Do you want to know what I know?"

"No!"

"To bad. You might think you 'know' everything, but the fact of the matter is, when you understand what you know, and learn to use it what you know, then you can prove what you know, by action. And my dear, action speaks louder than constantly saying, I know... with an attitude. By your actions, you don't know as much as you think you know."

"I know!"

~ By Tory Lynn ~

True Memories in a Fiction Setting

I was thinking about the fiction story that I just started. At this time I have named it, A New Beginning. The title may change as I get more inspiration when I get it plotted out completely.

I am going to include parts of my early pre-teen and teenage memories as part of the story line entwined in a fiction setting. I've spent the last few weeks thinking back to when my grandparents were alive and living on their ranch in Colorado.

My grandparents worked hard and overcame a lot of difficulties. We used to go horseback riding, shooting, and fishing. We sat out under the stars around a huge campfires listening to stories of tall tales and true stories of when my grandparents grew up.

It was a life time ago, but the few times I was able to get away from the nightmare of my real life, and visit those beloved people, it held great meaning for me. The wide open spaces and the peace I found gave me hope, and it healed a broken spirit I didn't realize I had until later in life when understanding came easier.

The problem for me though is that I've been a suburbanite for all of my adult life. Things that I used to know about how the ranch was ran, how crops were planted, and how jargon and terminology were used back then have been lost on me. The things I just knew from being around that environment have been lost or are elusive and just out of reach since I have been away from that life for so long.

I would love to go back in time to capture those moments. To hold the essence of those family members and thank them for making such a huge difference in my life. I am looking forward to doing some research, talking to people,and going through old photos, so that when I write this story there will bits and peaces immortalized.

Unexplained Mystery

I uploaded this photo of the moon, because the photo was taken June 4th, 2012 at approximately 4:45am. If you check the cycle of the full moon, you would find out that there was supposed to be a full moon that night. I love the moon and I love to star gaze. I can assure you that on June 4th, 2012 at 4:45 in the morning there was not a cloud in the sky. So, my question is, what in the heck caused the shadow that is covering part of the moon?

I love a good mystery and this is making my imagination soar with the possibilities. I have not heard anything on the news about this. I posted the photo on facebook and my husband saw the photo and told me with surprise that he had seen it too the night before and thought it was strange. I'm so glad I am not going nuts. If I had not taken this photo I probably by now would have just told myself that I was seeing things, but I know differently. I wish there was an explanation to this, but as of now there isn't one.

I captured something unusual and it makes me wonder about what is really out there.

We are just a small speck in this great universe with mysteries that are beyond our understanding.

What kind of mysteries have you run across that remains unexplained?

The American Dream

Today is Saturday, the work that needs to be done at home is an ongoing endeavor. It never ends. That is not a bad thing, in fact it is good. I consider myself very fortunate to have a family and a home that I can call my own. The jobs my husband and I do, enable us to have the things we do, giving us a piece of the American dream.

While doing the laundry and cleaning, I'm putting things back in it's place and am even taking time out to help in the yard which is a never ending job as well. Between the work, I'm spending time writing and using my imagination to write myself into places I've only dreamed about and going to places I have never even thought of, because that is where my characters take me.

While I have my own set of beliefs and values, my characters have their own which makes every scene I write interesting to say the least. I have created a lot of fascinating characters that I surround myself with, which is one of the reasons I love to write.

Well, I must go out and help my hubby. We are adding more rock to the yard to fill in spots that have thinned out over the last few years. Set in strategic places around the yard are what used to be budding bushes, are now taller than us and have filled out making our home a paradise. The paradise we envisioned when we bought the place. It may not be a castle in France, but it is a castle non the less in our eyes. Which gives me another idea for a story. I must get on with what needs to be done, so I can delve into a land of fiction that is bursting to get out.

Have a wonderful day and thank you for stopping by to read my blog.

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.

Good Morning

What a blessing it is to wake up to a clear day. I thank God for the opportunities I get and the lessons I learn each day.

I sip my coffee while enjoying the quiet morning. It isn't really quiet, the birds are chirping and flying around, and the wind is softly blowing through the leaves of the trees and I hear a few dogs barking in the neighborhood. In the pasture not too far from my house I see a couple of horses running playfully around chasing each other and kicking up their back legs getting their morning exercise. I hear them whiny as they get each others attention. It is an awesome sight to catch a glimpse of this before they settle down.

It is a little chilly right now, but it will warm up a little today and I may even be able to wear shorts without getting too cold.

At this moment everything is good, the peace I feel inside is inspiring in itself and has set my imagination at work where I can't wait to sit down and work on my current writing project. I hope to get it done soon. What started as a short story has turned into a novel. How cool is that? Some day I hope to be able to get it published, so I can share it with everyone who wants to read it.

My prayer for you is that you are showered with blessings and that you are able to recognize them no matter how big or small they are.

Have a good day and God Bless you.