REVERIE

“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.”

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I’ve used the above quote before, but for this nothing else seemed so a propos.

As Thanksgiving approaches, I am contemplating the fact that this will be the first one without my mother. She died last December right before Christmas after a lengthy illness. My father died many years ago from a heart attack.

It is odd to approach a holiday as an orphan. Last year at Christmas I was not in any kind of mind to even think about holidays and orphanhood, so fresh was our loss.

This year it weighs heavy; but, I must feel it, and then cast it off. I move on to much, much brighter days, with a renewed energy, and a much better grasp of life. There is more in what I just told you than I could ever write in this one post.

Just remember that life is all in the attitude, and no matter what comes, as dark as it may be, you can always seek the light, and walk toward it, and embrace that way of being. The darkness can only encompass you if you lie down and let it.

I am not lying down. I have walked in a new direction, and I will dance along the way.

So, as Thanksgiving approaches I am focused on all I have, which is far too much to recount - and I am focused on all I know I will have, and achieve. The next chapter is going to be absolutely *Fantastic*!!

Remember:

“Sometimes our fate resembles a fruit tree in winter. Who would think that those branches would turn green again and blossom, but we hope it, we know it.”

-- Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Indeed, I know it.

Polla Filia,
J.F.

NO ONE IS YOUER THAN YOU, OR ME-ER THAN ME

“Today you are You, that is truer than true. There is no one alive who is Youer than You.”

-- Dr. Suess

I am in a writing groove. For the past couple of months, I have been wavering back and forth on what my next writing project will be. I need another entry in the series I have just begun (see more info here).

I have turned in the first manuscript in that series and my agent is reviewing that. We will work on it together and then endeavor to sell it. Meanwhile, I need to be writing the next book.

Initially I thought that next book in the series was going to be one thing, but I also had another story in the series nibbling at the back of my brain. The problem was, which one to write first - the one I already had planned (sort of), or the one that was now dogging me?

In addition to that, there is a standalone story I want to write, and it’s something I *do* need to write soon. It is the story for which I did research when I went to San Francisco in August.

Last night, as I reviewed various notes, the decision came to me and it is The Decision.

I will work on the standalone (I always knew that), but the next installment in my new Melina Nikolaides “Art of Crime” series will *not* be the book I thought it would be. Instead, it will be the one chewing on my brain. It has to be. It’s a writer thing, so you’ll have to trust me on this one.

I’ve started the process now and I’m in it - all the way up to my surf suit.

Last night I began re-reading notes on renowned forensic sculptor, Frank Bender and some other things, and I am INSPIRED! I am on my Dream World Wave (see this). The next book in the series is jelling, *and* my standalone book, too. I’m hanging all ten toes now.

My lead character Melina Nikolaides was partially inspired by the great Mr. Bender referenced above. (I’ll write a blog post on him later because he deserves an entire blog post); *but*, Melina isn’t Frank Bender. Melina also is not *me*.

I wrote another book under another name some years back (I didn’t write for a while because of a family issue that required my attention). Anyway, in doing talks before fans and before writing groups, I was always asked *that* question. Is (insert character’s name) you?

No.

No character is me. No character I create is anybody I know. The characters grow on their own. Some of it is inspiration (like Mr. Bender), some of it is bits of someone I’ve met, some of it is life experience; BUT, most of it is (drum roll, cymbal crash) just STUFF I MAKE UP.

Hey people, see the name on the blog. There’s a reason for that. This whole writing fiction thing is about makin’ stuff up. I’m good at that.

The characters take on their own personality and life. They live in my mind. New characters may start with a name, and develop from there; or, they may start with an idea of who I think they are, and then get a name. Eventually, they always become themselves, on their own.

I guess I took the concept of my imaginary friends from childhood, and just kicked it up a few notches. Who knows? I do know this: it’s as natural for me as breathing - and I’ve come to like breathing.

So, I’m in my groove, and on the Wave. I can feel the energy. The characters are all paddling out to meet me, the story is weaving itself around us, and together we will all ride the Dream World Wave to shore. I'm out there. It’s scary, exciting and invigorating. I love every damn bit of it. When we get there, I’ll let you know.

Meanwhile, just remember that no one is Youer than You, or Me-er than Me. :)

Polla Filia,
J.F.