Natural Goodness

Recently, I read a quote that resonated with me: Harmony manifests itself as a natural goodness.

I love reading fiction where everyone is nice to each other, thoughtful, respectful and understanding. Patient and kind. And when a mistake is made, they apologize and do their best to make amends. In the towns where these characters live, most everyone is on their best behavior. Sure, there are a few outliers, but they’re outnumbered 10-1. Is there conflict? Of course there is, but through persistence, teamwork, and tenacity, conflict is overcome. Or accepted. Moving on from unpleasantries is the norm.

Does this sound kind of sappy? If so, I really like sappy. I enjoy books like the Christmas Hope series by Donna VanLiere, an author I discovered after watching a Hallmark movie based on one of her books. The movie was wonderfully uplifting, but left me wanting more.

I read The Christmas Town in less than a day! That doesn’t happen too often for me as I spend most of my time on my own writing, and make time to read in between. It can take me a while to finish a book. Then I discovered this story was part of a series. You can guess what happened after that. My mother is now hooked on the series, as well.

I find inspiring, feel-good, happy-ending books a must these days when kind words seem to be hiding under rocks. Boulders even. I’d rather spend time on a story that gives me a lift over one that drags me down.

In my mystery series, heroine Corrie Locke has evolved from an immature young woman used to doing things her way, without any help or much consideration for others, to a more thoughtful, somewhat responsible heroine who takes others into consideration before taking action. As the series progresses, she becomes a better version of her earlier, bratty persona. Bickering with her mom, her friends, and sidekicks has toned down as she’s learned to listen to what they have to say. Maybe my main character didn’t start out by being nice, thoughtful and respectful, but she is getting there.

Welcome to My Playground

As I’m dodging the heat during these dog days of summer, I take the time to remind myself to slow  down and enjoy every moment. And… make time to hit the playground. Willow knows what I’m talking about:

So does Pango (below). Being carefree does wonders, even if it’s for a short while. Whether it’s playing around with words and stories, hanging out with our animal friends, human friends, or favorite jasmine bushes, or simply engaging in activity that lifts our spirits, it’s fun!

Playground ideas for writers:

– Write something different, inspiring, uplifting. I’ve been doing that lately and I give myself a lift each time. 

– Read something uplifting. Even a simple quote like this one will do the trick:

Nothing is too wonderful to happen or too good to last. ~ Florence Scovel Shinn

– Write a thank you note or any kind of thoughtful note to someone. I read an article about a woman who was hooked on painkillers. She couldn’t survive without them, until her doctor told her she had to stop, at least temporarily. She needed an operation and the painkillers conflicted with the procedure. So, for two weeks, she went cold turkey and to divert herself, took the time to write thank you notes to everyone, from her gardener, to the cashier at the grocery store, to the postal worker, and so on. Every day for two weeks. Then she had her operation, which was successful. Her physician informed her she could resume her painkillers. Well, guess what? She didn’t need them anymore. Gradually, while writing the heartfelt notes, her pain diminished to nothing. Writing in a positive manner does help.

– Single-tasking does wonders for the soul and the mind. I’m a recent convert after engaging in high-level, multi-tasking for years. I find my mind is now clearer, my thoughts where I want them to be, and the moments more enjoyable. What took me so long? 

There is so much more to playground activities (baking treats, taking walks in nature, gardening, spending time with loved ones). So many opportunities to play daily. We all deserve some playtime, don’t we?

 

 

Beyond the Five Senses

Why do we incorporate the five senses in our writings?

Often it’s to help us show rather than tell. “There was a damp chill in the air” tells us (and the characters), indirectly, to grab a jacket. Instead of writing that “the orange juice was sweet”, how about, “it was like drinking a glass filled with sunshine.” Also, writing with the senses may help:

– make readers feel they are part of the experience in such a way as to breathe life into a setting, a person, an animal and so on.

– to keep our work from seeming two dimensional. Utilizing the senses fleshes things out to make them appear more real.

– to promote understanding in readers. Why does this house seem haunted? Why is the woman moving so slowly?

But writing using the senses can also help readers focus on the qualities of a person, place or thing. For instance, in my latest, MURDEROUS MEANS, a psychic is introduced. Readers are told that Heidi is around thirty, looks a certain way, and definitely behaves in a certain way. Is she legitimate or not? Where is she coming from? Why is she even in the story?

Using the senses of sight and hearing, readers have the opportunity to learn about Heidi’s qualities beyond just the physical: she has insecurities which make her appear arrogant; that make her engage in certain actions. She has her own agenda and won’t waver from it. Uncovering her qualities encourages readers to ask why Heidi behaves a certain way, which in turn leads to understanding.

I so appreciate gaining some understanding of myself when I’m reading about the behavior and mindsets of others, including of fictional characters. What can I learn from a situation is a question I often ask myself and have my heroine, Corrie, ask herself. This is how we grow as humans and how our hero/ines grow as the stars of our fiction.