Finding your characters come to life while shopping

Gareth of Orkney works at our local Meijer! Well, at least as I see the character. Same shoulder-length, straight, dark blonde hair. Tied back in a ponytail, with the front strands falling free. Everything about his face was just as I see Gareth when I’m writing. I even got to see him twice while I was shopping. Makes me want to make up excuses to shop there. Oh! I need a pack of gum. Need to go to Meijer, hun!

Seeing that young man, though got me thinking, which prompted me to write this blog. As I was driving home, it was like his spirit was returning to me. His character. I sensed his smile, like when I’m on a roll writing a scene with him and Lin. I sensed him wanted to be with Lin. That’s been too long for him since we’ve been crafting the story.

I realize this third book has been nearly impossible for me to write. It has taken far too long. I think part of it is Lin’s reluctance to relate her love of Gareth with Ris listening. And it’s like she resists me. But with the return of Gareth practically in the flesh—well, neither of us can ignore the issue. If it’s a reminder to me, it must be for her, too. She cared too much for him. Maybe this is a prompt to get us both to take up the story again.

Writing FIREBRAND: Year One

There wasn't a single entry in the 1992 journal for March. Now I'm curious as to what I actually did in that time period. Seems like, if we don't write it down it's forgotten and like it never happened at all. I no doubt bundled up in my winter clothes and parka and boots and all and tucked the cassette walkman in my coat pocket and took long walks, like to the frozen lake. One of my favourite winter spots to walk to: the lake on K I Sawyer. I'd trudge across the frozen snow covered park and climb up the life guard's chair and sit, listening to my music and listening to what Lin might have been saying to Dafydd, or whoever. Then I'd go back home and warm up and wait for the kids to get home from school. Often Bill would come home from work early and then Lin would shut up, like she was guarding a secret from Bill. I was still learning to fit into my new role as a writer.