As a kid I loved the Gumby (and his pal, Pokey) animated shorts, especially for the times when they would “jump into” a famous novel and appear in the world of that story. They’d interact with the characters and influence outcomes.
If you could jump into a novel and be part of the story, what novel would you choose, and what would you do inside that world?
Take a trip back through time. You’re a little kid–maybe in the 4-6 year-old range. Santa (or Hanukkah Harry, or St. Nick, or whoever is in charge of delivering presents for special occasions) has arrived with his bag, and he’s brought you the one gift you explicitly asked for. The one you’ve been dreaming of. That you’ve tried so hard to be good for.
This is “The World Revolves Around Me” time. Pure selfish, unadulterated greed. What did you ask for?
And whatever you celebrate, I hope you get what you want this year!
Image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
Do your reading/viewing/listening habits change with the holidays? I’m going out on a limb and saying for most here (I’m an exception), the “holiday” is Christmas. December is filled with Christmas releases in books and television. Radios play nonstop Christmas music.
Are you a fan?
What are your favorites? New ones? Classics? Night Before Christmas? A Christmas Carol? Die Hard? Charlie Brown? Hallmark? Lifetime?
Do you tune in “All-Christmas Music” stations? When do you start?
Here’s my favorite holiday song, one I think is appropriate this season, regardless of what holiday you observe.
As a reader, are you a loyal fan? Let’s test that loyalty. 🙂
Suppose your favorite author switches genres, from gritty thrillers or sci-fi to YA or HEA romance.
Would you continue to read their books?
What if they never returned to the genre you love?
“Depends” is not a complete answer. Please explain.
Image by Виктория Бородинова from Pixabay
What’s the worst writing/publishing advice anyone ever gave you? Best?
The worst advice I got was from an early critique group leader, when I was writing my first attempt at a novel, who said, “Don’t let anything bad happen to Sarah.” Happy people in happy land, anyone?
Best advice? “Do what you’re good at. Do what you love. Hire out the rest.”
You’ve just committed the perfect murder (all that research finally pays off!), but to be successful the cops can’t find the corpse. Your DNA, a stray hair, fibers, or fingerprints might lead them back to you.
Where will you hide the body?
Hint: it’s the location of the book you’re reading. Get those creative juices flowing! Where in that location will you stash the evidence?
Are you dumping the evidence (latex gloves, murder weapon, etc.) with the body?
If no, what’s the distance between the evidence and the corpse?
What’s one activity you’ve always wanted to try but haven’t?
This activity might include writing in a different genre, bungee jumping, paragliding, skydiving, public speaking, writing from a new perspective, or scaling the side of a mountain.
What prevented you from doing this activity?
Age should never be a deterrent, but let’s face it, older bones may be more brittle, eyesight may not be as sharp . . . blah, blah, blah. You know the drill.
With that in mind, if you were twenty years younger, would you try this activity? What is it about this activity that appeals to you?
Success comes in many forms. No two writers view success in the same way. Sure, if we’ve had a film adaptation of our novel, then I think we can all agree that’s a success story.
That said, I’m a big believer in celebrating small victories along the road to success (whatever that means to YOU). Celebrating smaller victories helps to keep us focused, grounded, and moving forward in a positive way.
Please share one victory for 2020. I know it hasn’t been an easy year, but that’s why it’s more important than ever to celebrate each new hurdle you’ve jumped. A victory can be anything, from completing a manuscript to hiking a mountain for inspiration to a successful virtual book signing to Hollywood knocking at your door.
Let us celebrate your success!
Let’s stroll down memory lane.