It's a Novel Idea

I love to watch people.  Yes, I’m one of those sitting amongst strangers taking in my surroundings.  I find that people are positively interesting.  I study body language, facial expressions, demeanor, quirks, attitude and more.  Think of the following situations and how the crowd around you would appear:

·         Sporting Events – Football, Baseball, Basketball, Hockey

·         Music Concerts – Rock, Pop, Country, Christian

·         Weddings – Big and formal, Small and quaint

·         Movie Premiers – Drama, Thriller, Romance, Sci-Fi

·         Airports – Large and crazy, Small and less stressful

·         Cruise Ships – Upscale Princess or Royal Caribbean  to easygoing Carnival     

·         Church – Traditional or Contemporary Services

·         Any other place people gather in mass

Each one of those places listed above gives me a new audience to review.  And if by chance I found myself in a more serene mood, I would be happy to sit in a quiet corner at a cozy outdoor café and have the same experience watching those passing by on the street.

Analyzing people from afar helps to shape the spirit my characters are fabricated from.  There is a thrill found in creating characters from scratch.  You take complete control in developing their appearance, continuing through to their deep inner core.  The better you know your characters, the more life you give them.  The more life they have, the bigger they become on the page.  The bigger they are on the page, the faster your readers engage with your story.

Storytelling is the not-so-secret love of my life.  My characters are an important part of that.  The characters make the novel successful.  Even with a weak plot, convincing characters can make it strong.  I’ll continue to search the crowds around me for the characteristics that sprout novel ideas.   I started on this journey with a dream in my heart, pursued it with passion and conviction, and will to continue it with grace and integrity.