Thank you so much, Zeina. Turns out I flew out rather than all of us driving, so we didn't get to stop in Missoula. Our next plan is sometime this summer!
Great piece - lots to unpack, lots to take away and think about. I like the question, and I don't have a long or long-thought-out answer. I think the character of the character, if it's consistent and well developed, good character and bad character alike, so we can rely on 'knowing them' even though they are fictional. But, we know 'real characters' in our lives who are self-evolved and consistent - we rely upon them being just that, but they can still stun and surprise us when they react 'not as predicted' .... so, maybe the fictional character who lulls us into thinking we know them, can surprise us too. That's cool to think about. Cheers, Mark
My new fav. Loved how you tied in the story lines of these books with Tok and what you learned visiting your parents. Listening is a true quality. The awareness of it is a gift too.
I will be leaving my dog behind too when we visit and help care for my dad across country while my step mom is out of town.
I thought of you during this past storm. Hope you were with your folks???
I am here to attest that leaving one's dog can be done (though not at all willingly). As for the storm, I rescheduled my flight to get back just before it started. A good thing, it turned out, as it would have been hard to get transportation back home for several days after it ended. We only just got our long driveway dug out! Did you lose power? We're on Day 4 without, and counting...
We got it back last night! I have never appreciated a hot shower more in my life. Or normal food. We were trying to pretend like we were on a backpacking trip , during which getting filthy and cold is totally normal. But we never could quite fall for that.
What a lovely and heartbreaking post. On the dog training side of things I remember how often my tracking teacher would tell me to "stop nagging your dog." lol. It's true, our voices are a distraction when our dogs are trying to concentrate. But more, the beauty of your father's stories, even the painful remembering and honoring your sister are amazing gifts. I can see how you could use this in your writing, and i hope you will. ❤️
Yes, I'm sure it did. I'd write down some of those stories so you don't forget them. and maybe one will resonate and you can transform it into one of your novels.
Well said. To show a character who listens, the character must respond in some way, thru action or word, that denotes understanding of the other. So segues become the subtle art here of showing without telling.
Such beautiful writing Wendy (made me tear-up).
Thank you so much, Zeina. Turns out I flew out rather than all of us driving, so we didn't get to stop in Missoula. Our next plan is sometime this summer!
Great piece - lots to unpack, lots to take away and think about. I like the question, and I don't have a long or long-thought-out answer. I think the character of the character, if it's consistent and well developed, good character and bad character alike, so we can rely on 'knowing them' even though they are fictional. But, we know 'real characters' in our lives who are self-evolved and consistent - we rely upon them being just that, but they can still stun and surprise us when they react 'not as predicted' .... so, maybe the fictional character who lulls us into thinking we know them, can surprise us too. That's cool to think about. Cheers, Mark
Yep, the parallels between real and fictional characters are fascinating, aren't they? Thanks for reading, Mark.
My new fav. Loved how you tied in the story lines of these books with Tok and what you learned visiting your parents. Listening is a true quality. The awareness of it is a gift too.
I will be leaving my dog behind too when we visit and help care for my dad across country while my step mom is out of town.
I thought of you during this past storm. Hope you were with your folks???
I am here to attest that leaving one's dog can be done (though not at all willingly). As for the storm, I rescheduled my flight to get back just before it started. A good thing, it turned out, as it would have been hard to get transportation back home for several days after it ended. We only just got our long driveway dug out! Did you lose power? We're on Day 4 without, and counting...
Oy. I heard about the cape. Thank goodness we did not lose power. How are you managing? Fireplace and take out??
We finally got power back after 4 days. Scary how much we rely on that!
We got it back last night! I have never appreciated a hot shower more in my life. Or normal food. We were trying to pretend like we were on a backpacking trip , during which getting filthy and cold is totally normal. But we never could quite fall for that.
What a lovely and heartbreaking post. On the dog training side of things I remember how often my tracking teacher would tell me to "stop nagging your dog." lol. It's true, our voices are a distraction when our dogs are trying to concentrate. But more, the beauty of your father's stories, even the painful remembering and honoring your sister are amazing gifts. I can see how you could use this in your writing, and i hope you will. ❤️
Thank you, Suzy. I like to think my dad's storytelling ability is what's inspired me to write MG all these years.
Yes, I'm sure it did. I'd write down some of those stories so you don't forget them. and maybe one will resonate and you can transform it into one of your novels.
Well said. To show a character who listens, the character must respond in some way, thru action or word, that denotes understanding of the other. So segues become the subtle art here of showing without telling.
So true - and not easily done!
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