Perfectly Flawed

I've realized the last while that I struggle with writing flawed male characters. I guess the reason may have something to do with my DH, who is a very easy-going guy. And while that is a fabulous combination for my high-strung personality, it doesn't translate well into fiction, where we want to see both the hero and heroine struggle. So I've been analyzing the male characters I've run across in books and movies and trying to determine what male character flaws I like best. 

One of my favorites, portrayed so well by the character Mr. Thornton in the BBC adaptation of Elizabeth Gaskell's North and South, is the hardened hero. The man who's past circumstances or rejections or both have made him a bit hard towards love, but over the course of the story, he softens toward love, toward the heroine (and in this movie that leads to one of the best kissing scenes ever!).

What are your favorite male character flaws (in books or movies)? What things are overdone? What would you like to see more of in fictional heroes?

For Love of the Game

I'm sort of known around our house - at least to my husband - as the game hater. As a kid and teenager, I dutifully played board games with friends and family (and even enjoyed it, for the most part). As an adult, though, I discovered I could actually say "no, thanks" when it came to games. I could opt out of playing and the world didn't careen out of control, nor did anyone hate me (I think). I still like to wield this particular tactic when it comes to strategy games - soooo not my favorite.

However, I am pleased to report that my anti-game phase is wearing off - a product of reluctantly joining in and then having a great time (the story of my life, for sure). While I still wouldn't choose playing a game over other activities like reading or watching a movie or going out to eat, I have rediscovered the fun of board games. My newest favorites are Apples to Apples, Telestrations, and the dice game Farkles.

What about you? Do you like playing board games? What are your favorites?

Growing Up

In the Redwoods National Forest, my husband and I saw some amazing trees. Coastal redwoods are the tallest living thing on earth - the tallest being more than 360 feet. They live about 500-700 years on average, and some even live to be 2,000 years old.

While I'm in awe of these tree giants, if I were a tree, I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be a Redwood. I'm a let's just hurry up and grow a couple hundred feet in a week kind of girl, not a let's work and grow a little at a time for the next 1,000 years!

I want my book written and done by the weekend, I want to change for the better over night., I want to learn that new skill or concept in an hour. Slow, almost imperceptible growth is tough for me.

So I've decided instead of gazing up at the 100 feet or so of growth ahead of me, I'm going to pay more attention to how far I've come and trust the Master Gardener that inch by inch, year by year, I'll grow to His liking.

Do you find waiting easy? What have you done to learn patience? How do you look at your own growth?

Makes Me Smile!

1. Homemade loaves of wheat bread (courtesy of my husband)

2. Reading Little House in the Big Woods to my boys (they actually seem to enjoy it, while I'm reminded each time of why I love historicals)

3. Fixing my bike (I liked riding my bike pre-kids, so I'm excited to get back to doing it - now it's just figuring out when)

4. Seeing the word count go up even faster on my current manuscript now that I have a consistent time to write

5. Sunshine and nice breezes

6. Watching Phineas and Ferb with my kids (Every time I watch an episode, I can't help but either laugh or smile. One of my favorite lines is "Ferb and I wrote a twenty-eight volume science fiction swashbuckling historical romance tell-all potboiler mystery satire buddy cop adventure tragedy how-to action novel!")

What makes you smile lately? What do you do for exercise and how do you squeeze it in?

Battling the GPS

My husband loves to use the GPS device on his phone, so when we went to the Oregon coast the other week, he opted to use that instead of paying for one in our rental car.

As we left the car place, the GPS lady began navigating our way. Though neither of us had been to Portland before, I was SURE Miss GPS had no idea what she was doing. She had us driving up small streets and through residential areas. I kept thinking we just need to get to the freeway - that would be the fastest way to get out of Portland and on our way to the coast.

After what seemed like a crazy list of directions, we eventually did reach the freeway and were on our way.
But that wasn't the only time the GPS lady led us through what I knew had to be the wrong way. Each time we ended up where we wanted to be, despite what felt like a series of odd turns and roads. (One time she was off by a quarter of a mile - and boy, did I gloat about that!)

So often in life and on this journey to publication, I feel like I did in the car listening to the GPS. I'm doing my best to follow God's will, but sometimes I think, "this can't be the right way. Isn't there a faster road, God, a more direct route to get me where I want to go, to what I want to be?"

But if I can stop and put aside that impatience, I realize no matter the twists and turns, the odd side roads, the detours, in the end I'll be right where I'm supposed to be - as long as I keep listening and moving forward.

Do use a GPS device for directions, stop and ask someone or just wing it?  What detours or side roads in your life have brought about surprising success?  

*Jenilyn M. Tolley awarded me the Liebster Award the other week (thanks so much, Jenilyn)! This award is meant to connect us even more and spotlight new bloggers who, at the moment, have less than 200 followers. The rules are:

1. Show your thanks to the blogger who gave you the award by linking back to them.

2.Reveal your top 5 picks and let them know by leaving a comment on their blog.
3.Post the award on your blog.
4.Bask in the love from the most supportive people on the Internet – other writers.
5.And best of all – have fun and spread the karma!

So here's five blogs I've enjoyed reading for a while or newly discovered:

Mark Noce
Peggy Eddleman
Rosslyn Elliott
Canda Mortensen
Kym McNabney

Hit the Road!

My hubby and I have spent A LOT of time in the car the last while. Between our vacation to South Dakota, a funeral in Nevada, and another in Idaho, I think we've driven something like 40 hours in the past five weeks!

With all this driving I've realized there are a few things I need to manage long car trips. The two things I must have are the IPOD and gum, specifically Trident spearmint gum. Runners up would be snacks - not any particular kind, just something yummy to munch on - and occasionally Dramamine (Did I mention I get carsick riding passenger to the store?). I'm looking forward to sticking close to home this week - with no drives over 10 minutes!

What things are essential for you on a long drive? What's the most time you've ever spent in the car?

Great Expectations

During Sunday dinner at my parents' house, my mom announced to my kids that she had a game for them. Clearly with high expectations for what the game might be, my oldest son said, "I hope you don't disappoint us!"

Subconsciously I think the same thing when I start reading a book. I have expectations (sometimes high ones) and I'm hoping the book won't disappoint.

Recently I started a new book with high hopes - loved the cover, the concept, the characters - but sadly I was disappointed after the first chapter. The more I read the more I became aware of the author's device for avoiding overused actions like stared or smiled. While this can be a good thing, in this case, it led to overwriting. Because the actions were so well described or lengthy, I found myself constantly being pulled out of the story.

On the flip side, I recently re-read Hattie Big Sky by Kirby Larson. This book doesn't disappoint - even the second time around. The writing is concise and powerful. The historical details lend to the story, not overshadow it. And best of all, there's a little romance. My favorite books are ones like this - ones where I fall effortlessly into the story.

What do love about the books you love? What disappoints you in a book?