Could I be a hero?

I've been wondering about inner demons that our heroes are supposed to have. I know there are big things like painful pasts, addictions, or even crime. More often, it seems that a character has demons that may not be so big, but that are important to justifying their personalities.

So, I started thinking about my weaknesses and wondered if a hero could be a hero, if they had the weaknesses I see in myself. I'm not a bad person, and yeah, I'm probably harder on myself than I should be, but still, it made me wonder.  What kind of a hero would I make - as I am now?

I'm going to try to give my heroes more believable weaknesses. That way, maybe readers will relate better to them. And, while I'm at it, I think I'll take an in depth look at myself. (Sunday is a good day for that.)

What makes a hero? Always doing the right thing? Overcoming great obstacles? Carrying life's burdens with style and grace? Maybe it's all about a person's choices made in the moment.

And maybe I'm more heroic than I think. At least some of the time . . .


Continued working on Kelli's Promise.

Super 8

I read an article today that I was going to write about, but it's going to take a little time to put together, so instead of that, I'll give a little review of the new Spielberg/Abrams movie Super 8. I'll approach this from a writer's perspective - like I could look at it any other way.

First, go to the restroom and buy your treats before going in - you won't want to leave. There is no lull, no down time, nothing boring. There are even a couple of those moments that made me jump.

All in all it was fun and entertaining - I liked the group of misfit kids, and at my age, the small town setting and time (70s) were familiar. I thought it was well acted, though it had a little bit of that cheesy effect - which I think was on purpose. By that, I mean, it kind of had the same feel as E.T. or Goonies, although the special effects were better.

Drawbacks - with a PG-13 rating, it does have quite a bit of language (from the kids) and one very clear F-word from the token druggie. Although there is a brief scene of illegal drug use, the result is that the kids proclaim how bad drugs are.

We don't go to many movies, but husband, son and I all enjoyed it. Make sure you stay after the final scene though - some of the best footage is during the credits. (And get there early enough to catch the Harry Potter preview!)

I decided now that I'm in the habit of writing this blog each day (which is part of my promise to myself), I need to start reporting what writing I do on that day. This will be my way of keeping track, and encouraging myself.


I'm signed up for a WOW (week of writing) starting on Monday with my ANWA group. I've committed to 2000 words each day. I always like these weeks - I get lots done. Today, I worked on more moving some scenes around in Kelli's Promise. It's almost to the point that I think I'll be happy with it. So glad tomorrow is Saturday.

Welcome to my life

My fifteen year old son was excited this week that he would be able to get a lot of things done. He spent four days last week on a trek at Martin's Cove, did his Sunday duties, and thought this week, after working his 9-12 job in a doctor's office, he'd finally have some free time.

I've had similar thoughts."If I can just get through this project, or that event, I'll start over on Monday, etc., etc."

On Monday, my granddaughter was with us, so my son spent his afternoon making a boat, complete with a Lego motor that really worked. Tuesday, his cousins were here, just for the night, and on Wednesday, he was invited to go and try out a friend's new Rock Band game. Then today, a younger friend asked for his help learning how to put a video on You Tube. He did all of these things, had fun doing them, and helped some people, but his afternoons are gone and the stack of library books sits unopened by his bed and the planned projects are still just plans.

When he brought this to my attention today, I had no advice because I found myself thinking, "welcome to my life."  I didn't say that, because honestly, I haven't figured out why my life is this way.

"I'm going to write, no matter what."  "I'm going to get that chapter done today." But, how do I say "no, I can't track down that phone number for you" (even if I am the RS president) or "no, I can't feed the missionaries tomorrow night" (even if no one else will do it and the coordinator has already fed them twice this week) or "no, I can't drive you to your doctor's appointment" (even if you are on pain pills and a little loopy) and on and on. If I started making a list, I would be able to come up with at least 25 things that happened this week, that took my time, that were unexpected - and at least 20 of them, I don't know how I could have refused. (And not because they were good, like Godfather's pizza.)

I have to figure it out. There has to be a way to write and have a family and a life. I'm not even that attached to the life, but I'd like to keep the family.

I found that I couldn't handle a writing career while homeschooling, but those 8 years are past. I'm like my son, I should have all of this free time, now that I'm not spending several hours a day on school, but I seem to have less.

Some will say it is scheduling, learning to say no, really wanting to write. I haven't been able to make it work yet. So far, getting up at 3 a.m. to write, has been my solution. I'm not sure that's the answer, but until life changes, or I figure out how to change it, that's my option.

At least I get to enjoy the sunrise every morning and I can't find anything bad in that.

One word

Migraine

Betrayal?

Note - I think I got the comment problem fixed. Thanks to those who tried to leave comments but got stuck going round and round. Sorry.

I have a best friend named Kelli. She's in the process of falling in love with a guy named Tio. So am I.

I don't know how I'm going to tell Kelli - or my husband.

Luckily, I don't have to because these are the two main characters of the novel I'm working on (Kelli's Promise). Don't worry Jeff, I only have eyes for you.

But really, if I don't fall for the hero, how can I expect my heroine to fall for him? And if she doesn't, there's no way my readers will.

 It's a funny thing - being a romance writer. And the most fun I've ever had.

Density

The quality or condition of being dense; thickness; stupidity.

I'm not stupid, in fact I'm pretty smart. I did all the school stuff well and I'm still a good student - love to learn. What I don't understand is how a bright person can be so dense.

Example: I've been blogging here for several days and every day I've thought things like, "I can't believe they don't let you change the font," and "It would be nice to use italics here," or "a link to this website would be cool."

Perfectly good thoughts, right? Until last night when I looked at the top of the posting box to see all kinds of options for changing the way things look, adding links, videos, everything.

Why did it take me a week to see? My eyes are fine.  It must be a brain thing.

Does anyone have an explanation? Am I the only one?

Please make your answers short and blunt.

Otherwise, I might miss your point, completely . . .

Sundays

I don't usually do my regular writing on Sunday because, well, it's supposed to be a day of rest. I have to say that with the responsibilities I have right now - it isn't, but that's not the point.

I like to think of Sunday as a day of renewal, so as writing goes, I worked on my goals, caught up my gratitude journal, and checked out a few author websites.

I also sat outside for an hour, just enjoying spring in Wyoming and visiting with a neighbor.

I feel good, and any day I can say that, I have won. And I'm grateful.