Friday {in focus} ~ Adventure, Not Ease

Mary DeMuth's words ring true whether we're looking at our own lives 

and walk with God or we're writing our characters' lives and walks with God.

No one wants to read about the guy who sits on his couch all day and does nothing.

Unless we give him such a bad cramp in his backside that he must get up and work.

Change his habit.

No one wants to read about the girl who goes through the same routine day in and day out.

Unless we give her a new assignment that will knock her out of her comfort zone.

Shock her.

{Think Never Been Kissed}

No one wants to read about the complaints of a pessimist.

Unless we pair them with an optimist.

Challenge their point of view.

Put yourself and your characters on a mountain top with a new and unique view this year.

Look at the world from a different perspective.

Take note.

After all, God created us for adventure, not ease.

That's why we all have that deep desire and urge to do something beyond our wildest dreams.

We just need to get off the couch, try something new, and leave our fears behind.

Stepping Back from THE END

This week I accomplished something. I wrote THE END on the rough draft of my first {complete} novel.

It's taken three years to write THE END. I've had multiple ideas for novels. I've written the start of several. I've even nearly finished another. But, until this week, I've never made it to THE END.

And now I'm stepping back for a few days to enjoy the moment. I'm leaving my characters and plot lines and dialogue and taking a mini-vacation from Storyworld.

My characters don't like it. They're whispering lines while I watch my children do flips into the pool. They're telling me I need to strengthen them as I watch 4th of July fireworks. They're asking me to come home and get back to work, because they want the world to hear them laugh and cry.

From what I've learned, it's important to take a break from Storyworld before entering into the work of rewriting and editing. It's important to put some space between myself and my characters, as this will spark creativity as I hit the keyboard with my butt in my chair once again. My mind needs a creative rest.

So I trust those who've gone before and take a breather. I do a puzzle. I laugh with my real kids. I enjoy time with my hubby and go out to watch someone else's creative genius.

Then, next week I will return to Storyworld with new ideas and deeper thoughts to bring out the best in my story. Hopefully it'll become something readers will want to share with their friends. Hopefully my characters will woo readers into their world. Hopefully someone will identify with the heart of the story, and maybe it'll influence a life.

Until then, I'll step back and enjoy the fact that I finally wrote THE END.

Photo Courtesy of Stock.xchng