Flutter Around

“The seagulls disperse, squawking. Elizabeth pretends they are snow white doves. Doves have positive connotations. Like the biblical story where Noah sends a dove out. It comes back with an olive branch in its beak conveying new life. They represent peace, love, faith, purity and eternal life. Since dove’s mate for life, they signify a long and happy marriage. A more appropriate bird for the day, she thinks. Yet, flocks of birds, even those who may poop on your head, announce prosperity, progress and abundance will come.” Katherine Webster (an excerpt from my book in progress).

Everyone has a viewpoint! It depends on our moods. Our circumstances. Our day. Where are minds are in the moment. Even Characters in every book you read have viewpoints. It is what makes us and our characters interesting.

As a writer we must know our characters intimately. Otherwise our minds flutter around confused and aimless, unable to settle on their viewpoint.

We do this by building our characters backstory. How the past made who they are. Just as how our pasts made who we are. So we know their mind, their emotions, and how they will react. A little like building your own Frankenstein monster. Some pieces work, some don’t. And eventually your character takes on a mind of its own. As a writer you get to decide what needs to be harnessed and what gets set free. Letting your mind flutter around the possible scenarios. Landing on the right one that portrays their mood and create their circumstances. Enabling their story to advance. Showing their reactions to any situation you put forth. You bring them alive.

“Life, although it may only be an accumulation of anguish, is dear to me, and I will defend it.”