A week Late for the writing prompt?
Well, my excuse is I was on the road. But I would like to participate in the Insecure Writer’s Support Group idea for July. Thanks to this month’s co-hosts:
Erika Beebe, Natalie Aguirre,Jennifer Lane, MJ Fifield, Lisa Buie-Collard, and Ellen @ The Cynical Sailor!
“What personal traits have you written into your character(s)?”
Boy, wouldn’t I like to have telepathic powers or kick ass martial skills. (Sigh – this is why it is called ‘fiction’?)
I think I’ve written ‘persistence’ into several characters. Life is just not turning out exactly as they had envisioned, but they find the means to make their own way through it. They are willing to stand up to the challenges thrown at them and not given in. I think my life could represent that.
My first marriage did not work out with a fairytale ending…not really either person’s fault, we just weren’t compatible. But as it ended I needed a job. I signed up to teach overseas to support my son and myself. It was a good decision on many levels, but I distinctly remember one brother (not big on going far from home) asking me if I knew any one in the place I was going? Who was going to meet me at the airport? Where was I going to stay? My reply was, having experience some life overseas with DoDEA(Department of Defense Education Activity), “I knew someone would meet me and help me.” So I climbed onto a plane, to go to a place I had never been, to meet people I did not know.
It worked out and really was a great decision. I have lived in some great places, seen many interesting things and made friends now scattered around the world.
I think I’ve written those experiences and strengths into some of my characters if only indirectly. “Don’t know where I’m going, but I’m going.”
And I’m going to throw in one more piece of advice I received before I moved overseas the first time. “You can survive or thrive.” ‘Survival’ is hiding out at home, only associating with the people you work with, taking no chances. ‘Thriving’ involves taking the chances that are presented as opportunities.
I like to think my characters are thriving.
Check on other writers.
