C.R. Johansson's Blog
December 7, 2025
A Christmas Carol
A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens was a simple 66-page novella (yes, 66 pages were considered novellas in 1843), that became a family holiday favorite, and found its way into theater, film, television, and animation. The adaptations range in the hundreds and it’s referenced in several holiday songs.
Here are the versions in my movie library. Do you have a favorite?
A Christmas Carol (Reginald Owen) 1938
A Christmas Carol (Alstair Sim) 1951
A Christmas Carol (Albert Finley) 1970
A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott) 1984
Scrooged (Bill Murray) 1988
A Christmas Carol (Patrick Stewart) 1999
Here are the versions in my movie library. Do you have a favorite?
A Christmas Carol (Reginald Owen) 1938
A Christmas Carol (Alstair Sim) 1951
A Christmas Carol (Albert Finley) 1970
A Christmas Carol (George C. Scott) 1984
Scrooged (Bill Murray) 1988
A Christmas Carol (Patrick Stewart) 1999
Imaginary Friends
“Writers aren’t exactly people…they’re a whole lot of people trying to become one person.” F. Scott Fitzgerald.
Almost everyone had an imaginary friend when they were young, though some didn’t even realize it was an imaginary friend. That baby doll you took care of, loved, fed and talked gently to was in a way an imaginary friend. That GI Joe or army general shouting out orders to the rest of the army men too was in a way an imaginary friend. It was someone you knew everything about, their past, their fears, their strengths. You talked to them as if they were real and in your mind, when you heard their answers, they were real.
Whenever I write, I immerse myself into my character’s lives. And for a time, during the creative process, they become my imaginary friends. Sometimes, I hold conversations with them in my head, discussing their options when I place them in sticky situations and psycho-analyze their decisions to understand why they decided to do what they are doing. Embrace your characters as your friends and they’ll help you write the best story ever.
Almost everyone had an imaginary friend when they were young, though some didn’t even realize it was an imaginary friend. That baby doll you took care of, loved, fed and talked gently to was in a way an imaginary friend. That GI Joe or army general shouting out orders to the rest of the army men too was in a way an imaginary friend. It was someone you knew everything about, their past, their fears, their strengths. You talked to them as if they were real and in your mind, when you heard their answers, they were real.
Whenever I write, I immerse myself into my character’s lives. And for a time, during the creative process, they become my imaginary friends. Sometimes, I hold conversations with them in my head, discussing their options when I place them in sticky situations and psycho-analyze their decisions to understand why they decided to do what they are doing. Embrace your characters as your friends and they’ll help you write the best story ever.
November 30, 2025
Grateful Quote
“I am grateful for what I am and have. My thanksgiving is perpetual.” ~ Henry David Thoreau
Grammar
It’s time to talk grammar. But always remember, write first and check grammar later.
https://thewritepractice.com/grammar-...
https://thewritepractice.com/grammar-...
Little Did He Know
Professor Hilbert: Dear God. I’ve written papers on “Little did he know…” I nearly taught a course on “Little did he know…”
Harold: Oh
Professor Hilbert: ..Sonofabitch. Harold “little did he know” means there’s something he doesn’t know. That means there’s something you don’t know. That’s…Christ…the voice is literally in 3rd person. Did you know that?
I loved telling stories to myself as a child. One of my favorites I made up when I was 9-10 years old. I would tell myself this story while I walked home from delivering the newspapers on my paper route. As I neared my house, the story would begin. The narrator would detail how everything about the neighborhood and my house looked unchanged from when I left an hour ago, but “little did she know” a bump in the world, barely felt by her as she walked, thrust her into an alternate universe. What would she find inside her house would challenge all her beliefs. As I neared the front door, I examined it for any changes, any difference that might prepare me for what was inside.
What kind of stories did you tell yourself as a child?
Harold: Oh
Professor Hilbert: ..Sonofabitch. Harold “little did he know” means there’s something he doesn’t know. That means there’s something you don’t know. That’s…Christ…the voice is literally in 3rd person. Did you know that?
I loved telling stories to myself as a child. One of my favorites I made up when I was 9-10 years old. I would tell myself this story while I walked home from delivering the newspapers on my paper route. As I neared my house, the story would begin. The narrator would detail how everything about the neighborhood and my house looked unchanged from when I left an hour ago, but “little did she know” a bump in the world, barely felt by her as she walked, thrust her into an alternate universe. What would she find inside her house would challenge all her beliefs. As I neared the front door, I examined it for any changes, any difference that might prepare me for what was inside.
What kind of stories did you tell yourself as a child?
November 11, 2025
Character Identity
What is identity and why is it important in writing?
There’s no denying an author’s own identity plays a big part in their writing, but I’m going to focus on character identity. Three identities that describe who your characters are include their personal identity (self-worth, name, beliefs and life experiences), their social identity (how a character sees themselves compared to others and developed through interactions in society, groups and careers), and culture identity (those connections to special groups). Those can be broken down in sub groups like family and professional identity to name a couple. So, when you sit down to write, don’t forget, the more you know your character’s identity, the more realistic and deep your story will be.
https://www.writersdigest.com/write-b...
There’s no denying an author’s own identity plays a big part in their writing, but I’m going to focus on character identity. Three identities that describe who your characters are include their personal identity (self-worth, name, beliefs and life experiences), their social identity (how a character sees themselves compared to others and developed through interactions in society, groups and careers), and culture identity (those connections to special groups). Those can be broken down in sub groups like family and professional identity to name a couple. So, when you sit down to write, don’t forget, the more you know your character’s identity, the more realistic and deep your story will be.
https://www.writersdigest.com/write-b...
November 8, 2025
Anthropomorphize It
I love fall and winter because it means I get to pull my slow cooker out of the cabinet and make warm comfort foods. The cozy aroma filling the house, the anticipation of eating a delicious meal that warms my insides while a fire burns in the fireplace creates a feeling that I wish I could bottle up and sell.
However, there is a downside to this time of the year. That’s when I pull my slow cooker out of the cabinet and I come face to face with the other small appliances (ice cream maker, yogurt maker, sprout container, blender…) that spend their days in the dark. In my mind, I can hear each of them perk up with excitement when the cabinet door is open and the light enters. Who is she coming for, they eagerly hope my hands will reach for them and dream of creating something wonderful for me to eat.
I try to routinely thin out my belongings, living in a small house really helps 😊, but whenever downsizing comes I struggle not only with separating the memories and sentiment attached to the items, but also with a childlike compassion for the future of the object. Perhaps all writers have a strong inclination to anthropomorphize everything from animals to spoons. What do you think?
However, there is a downside to this time of the year. That’s when I pull my slow cooker out of the cabinet and I come face to face with the other small appliances (ice cream maker, yogurt maker, sprout container, blender…) that spend their days in the dark. In my mind, I can hear each of them perk up with excitement when the cabinet door is open and the light enters. Who is she coming for, they eagerly hope my hands will reach for them and dream of creating something wonderful for me to eat.
I try to routinely thin out my belongings, living in a small house really helps 😊, but whenever downsizing comes I struggle not only with separating the memories and sentiment attached to the items, but also with a childlike compassion for the future of the object. Perhaps all writers have a strong inclination to anthropomorphize everything from animals to spoons. What do you think?
November 1, 2025
Books by C.R. Johansson
Get your favorite books by C.R. Johansson or anthologies featuring stories by C.R. Johansson on Amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
https://www.amazon.com/stores/author/...
Daylight Savings Ends
How did it get so late so soon? Its night before its afternoon. December is here before its June. My goodness how the time has flewn. How did it get so late so soon? ~ Dr. Seuss
Don't forget Daylight Savings ends tonight.
Don't forget Daylight Savings ends tonight.
