Writing fiction permits me to examine the world around me in a different way; some writers have said in a more profound way because we are ever trying to understand behavior. And this understanding unfolds at a more “mindful, thoughtful” pace, and on a deeper level than we tend to do in real life. My heroine, Corrie Locke, has shown me a thing or two, about better understanding.

I never realized that fiction offers the opportunity to write more freely about personal challenges, including things that may require a resolution. When I wrote my fourth book, I discovered that Corrie’s resolutions or accomplishments sometimes mirror something I’ve experienced in real life. The more I delve into her responses and reactions, the more I learn more about myself. Who knew? Not me, that’s for sure. This is a gratifying bonus of fiction writing.

Writing fiction is sometimes like staring into a mirror that’s reflecting parts of my life right back to me. For instance, I didn’t know I felt a certain way about bossy people until Corrie showed me how she felt. When she takes action against this person, it’s liberating because, in a small way, I rid myself of pent-up emotions.

I’ve also learned more about relationships, thanks to Corrie. Take her relationship with her mom, Victoria. They start out in book one being at odds with each other, and that continues until book four when things soften a bit, but not enough. Victoria can be over protective, which makes Corrie shrug her off and take her for granted. I had to ask, do I do that? By book five, everything changes when Corrie enlists her mother to help with an investigation. Victoria plays a bigger role than anticipated, and suddenly they are bonding in an unlikely way. And guess who appears in book six, too? Investigating together brings them closer. Which made me seek out my mother to do things I ordinarily wouldn’t do with her for the same reason. Would I have thought to do those things without my fiction writing? Maybe. Maybe not.

The truths we reach sometimes, when writing fiction, are truths we didn’t even know we were seeking. In these ways, writing can be very transformative and insightful.

I’ve been fortunate to have very smart dogs. Brilliant, really. I’ve learned so much from them. My rescues all shared one thing: a grateful heart. A day never passes without them reminding me how grateful they are to have a home where they can run and play, be warm and loved, and eat meals regularly. I’ve learned so much from them. Here are a few examples:

1. Don’t let your good friend howl alone. Join in to show that you care.

2. Always lick your loved one’s hand to remind them that you cherish them. It will give them an instant lift. Did you know loving licks are the equivalents of human hugs and kisses?

3. When your family comes home,  greet them with joy. Ever new joy. Never take them for granted. 

4. Relish the beauty of nature. A walk, birds singing in the trees, leaves dancing in the breeze. And don’t forget to pause and smell the flowers. All flowers, not just roses. This way, you’ll truly enjoy the wonder and beauty of nature.

5. When you’re happy, don’t just wag your tail; shake your whole body. And if you see a green patch of fresh lawn nearby, go ahead, roll around in it. Put all your heart into it. You’ll be glad that you did.

6. There’s nothing like lying in the shade on a warm sunny day, and taking stock of all the good in your life. It will brighten your outlook.

7. Eat with enthusiasm. But don’t overeat. Trust me.

8. Run and play as much as you can. But don’t forget to rest afterward. After you rest, try not to jump up immediately. Stretch first. You’ll feel much better.

9. If someone invades your space, it’s okay to let them know that they need to back off. Protect what is yours.  

10. Be forgiving. If someone hurts your feelings, let it go. Pouting drains your precious energy. Energy we need to run and play. 

If you’ve read my latest novel, Murderous Means, you may be thinking the title of this post has to do with other-worldly, occult happenings. Not so. This post is about lifting one’s spirits, literally, as we kick off 2024. 

There are many of us eager to make positive and meaningful changes in our lives; to achieve personal growth and transformation and to move forward in a better way. It doesn’t take all that much to make this happen. Just a little will and mind power. It starts by finding little things that bring us joy. 

Our eight-year-old shepherd, Chico, did just that recently. A sweetie pie and nonathletic fellow, he prefers lying down to practically anything else. After a short walk around the yard, if I dare pause for any reason, he’ll hit the ground…lying.The other day however, Chico grabbed a toy that he hadn’t played with in a long while, and thrashed it about with great enthusiasm. For about eight seconds. We’d adopted him when he was four, and have only seen him thrash and shake a few times and that was a while ago. What prompted the burst of joy? 

He’d just finished eating (his first and foremost reason for being) and enjoyed his meal immensely, which gave him an instant lift, which he displayed by thrashing. Ah, the simple pleasures of life!

If we each take time, daily, to pause and contemplate the beautiful experiences in our lives, we too can become happy thrashers. We have the ability to manufacture our own joy, which can change our present experiences as well as our attitudes. 

I visited the local library today. After I’d checked out my books and returned to my car, I didn’t leave right away. I paused and spent a few minutes appreciating my surroundings; the air that flowed through my open window, the pure blueness of the sky dotted with silvery, puffy clouds, as well as the tall oak trees whose widespread canopy gave me shade during my pausing. It was an instant spirit and mood lifter.

I read that we should picture the New Year as a garden we are responsible for planting. If we sow the seeds of good thoughts and habits in the soil and weed out the worries and troubles of the past, we can create our own happiness right where we are. How easy is that?