Our Weird Ass Weather

I live in the Willamette Valley, south of Portland, north of Eugene. My city has a very strange bubble that surrounds it that keeps snow from reaching the valley floor. Not to mention, we're at about 120 feet above sea level. It snows about every 3-5 years here. It's the kind of snow that comes for 2 days, makes it miserable to get around town and then, we get rain for the rest of the winter and well into the spring.

This year, it's snowed at least once a week since the end of February. What the heck? Today, it snowed nearly all day. This. Never. Happens.

The view from my desk at work. It's snowing.

You may already know this, but I love to take pictures of scenery. I'm really not good at people pictures, but plants and animals and mountains are easy for me to take pictures of. I live in a great location for taking pictures. We get cherry blossoms and daffodils. We live an hour from some of the most beautiful and interesting forests I can imagine. I get a lot of opportunities to take pictures. When I take pictures, I file them by date. I recently realized that I've taken pictures at the end of February and beginning of March for the last 3 years.

Here's a look at the difference in the seasons we're experiencing.

March 6th, 2010

February 27th, 2011

March 21st, 2012 (not a black and white photo)

So. If this is the result of global warming, I'm calling shenanigans. What's warm about this? It's f-f-f-freezing outside. 

Is this because of the earthquakes that tipped our planet just a little bit? Like some kind of strange butterfly effect that's slowly shifting our seasons by 2-3 months each year? Come to think of it, summer didn't really show up for us until August last year, but we only had one piddly snow.

Whatever it is, it's nice to look at but I'm ready for some real sunshine. I'm ready to relearn how to ride my bike.

Rear View Mirror: A Short Story

This is what I'll call an almost true story. Although I must admit, I talk to myself more than I've let on. I hope you like it. 

Rear View Mirror

A Short Story

In the same motion that she’d used for the past five years, Jessica fastened her seat belt and started her car. It was a clear June morning; she was on her way to work. She looked at herself in the rear view mirror and sighed. “This isn’t what you said you were going to do, girl.”

The car made its familiar clunk as Jessica put the car in reverse and backed out of her parking space.

She looked at her hands on the steering wheel. “Where are you going?” she said. And her heart broke a little when she realized that where she was going was even further away from where she wanted to be.

“Let’s do something about it,” she said. Her mind went to work on a plan, a plan to reach her goal. This was the day that Jessica was going to take the rest of the steps to being a successful writer.

“How long do I have?” she asked herself.

“Five years,” she answered.

“How will I know when I’ve made it?” she asked.

            “When you don’t have to get up to an alarm clock anymore,” she answered. Jessica looked at herself in the rear view mirror and smiled. “That’s going to be the best day,” she added as an additional affirmation.

She thought about the steps along the way. First, she’d go to school to earn the degree that will boost her confidence and, hopefully, earn her respect in the writers’ community. Second, she’d research the industry and learn as much about her future as she could. And lastly, she’d keep writing and keep working to improve her existing stories. A twinkle of hope filled her heart as she pulled onto the freeway and mixed in with the speeding cars.

The cars zooming around and weaving in and out of the lanes brought Jessica’s attention to the challenge at hand but as the traffic thinned, her mind returned to the goal and the plans. She thought about the challenges she’d face. She thought of J.K. Rowling being turned down so many times when she tried to sell the first Harry Potter novel but she kept trying and eventually became a best selling author. Jessica knew that the likelihood of selling a book was not good, but Ms. Rowling kept working at it and so would Jessica.

She thought about the effort involved in writing and how much of her work would never be read. Then she considered that some of Kurt Vonnegut’s best work is his most underappreciated. The same is true for C.S. Lewis. Jessica thought about the books she’d read and the words that those men had spent their hours writing. She wondered if they’d felt like they were working or if they had to stop themselves from writing to get some sleep as she had so many nights before. She wished that there were a way to ask them but decided that they must have loved it as much as she did and so she would never consider writing work, even if no one else reads the words.

The best-selling author of the Sookie Stackhouse novels, Charlaine Harris, wrote a lot of books before she learned how to craft such incredible characters.  Only days before, Jessica had finished another of Ms. Harris’ books and was talking with her friends about the strength of the female character had and how much Jessica would need to grow her own writing so her characters would be that strong and believable. And Jessica made a promise to herself that she would.

Neil Gaiman wrote dozens of children’s books and many of the Sandman graphic novels before readers took notice of his fantasy novels and the realistically magical worlds he creates. Jessica hoped that her worlds would seem as real when others read about them.  She added reading more books to the list of things she’d do while she was on her road to her goal. Her blinker notified the cars around her that she’d be changing lanes and Jessica worked her little blue car over to the freeway exit ramp.

She could see the building where she worked and she sighed. “That place takes so much of your time,” she said. “But it’s a necessary time taker,” she reminded herself.

Feeling glum again, she thought about her own writing and how amateurish it seemed. Then she remembered that some book sagas don’t have to be well written to sell millions of copies and then laughed. She promised that she’d never allow herself to publish anything she didn’t believe to be well written and intelligent.

Jessica thought about her heroes and the challenges they all faced. She was sure that she’d face her own struggles too but she knew that she must endure them in order to reach her goal.

The parking lot at work was starting to fill but there were still spots near the front doors. Jessica pulled her car into a space and then turned it off. She looked in the rear view mirror again.

“Five more years,” she said and then smiled. “Five more years.” 

Captain America

  I’m a good girlfriend. I acknowledge and accept the importance of the XBOX and all it’s purposes  I attend midnight releases and midnight showings. I can speak Star Wars and know the difference between an AT-AT and an AT-ST. I participate in Light Saber battles and will attend Comicon and PAX conventions simply because I like the atmosphere. These are things that a good girlfriend does. Among the list of things, there aren’t many that are unpleasant. And one of the best things about being a good girlfriend is getting to go to see the comic book movies.

  This weekend we went to see Captain America. I don’t know the story of Captain America and I always enjoy a good movie, so I was willing. I’m embarrassed to admit that I don’t know much about superheroes other than what I’ve learned from the blockbuster movies that have been released. And I have to also admit that I was confused as to how the same guy could be Johnny Storm and also be Captain America, partly because of fairness and also because I imagine all the superheroes to exist in the same universe. One guy can’t be two guys. Of course this was all cleared up by my boyfriend before we arrived, and the actor really has grown up quite a bit.

  Anyway, Captain America was wonderful.  After a cliffhanger opening, the story moves to the small, sickly Steven Rogers trying to enlist in the Army during WWII. He feels that it’s his duty to serve. His best friend is recently enlisted and scheduled to be deployed. Steven has asthma and is denied entrance. It isn’t the first time he’d been denied, nor would it be the last. The young man is determined to give his all for his country because other men will. He says that it shouldn’t matter that he’s small. He shouldn’t be special because of his size. This young man’s got more virtue in the twinkle of his eye than I will ever have. You just wanna give the little guy a high five.

  Eventually, he is allowed to enlist. A doctor sees Steven as the perfect candidate for so many reasons (which make the young man even more wonderful) to become an enhanced super soldier. And Steven agrees, because he’s in the army now. So Howard Stark (yep) helps to turn Steven into Captain America.

  One of the neat things about Captain America as a superhero is that he’s not a secret identity like Spiderman and Batman. Everyone knows who Steven Rogers is. He could be a real guy in our world, even more so than Batman or Spiderman could be. This always makes a character more lovable to me.

  Another amazing attribute of Captain America is his fearlessness. He is unafraid of pain or his own well-being. Even when he was small, he stood up for the little guy. He says to the doctor “I don’t like bullies, I don’t care where they’re from.” And then a little tear wells up in your eye. Yeah, he’s that good.

  I recommend seeing Captain America before it leaves the theater. We’ll also add it to our home collection, hopefully in 3-D when it’s released. This was a great movie.

Conversing With Your Characters

As a writer, I spend a lot of time researching ways to be a better writer, to have stronger characters, to build richer worlds. It's one of the many ways I write without actually doing any writing. I call it honing. And oddly enough, I usually end up with a wind in my sails that pushes me to actually work on my novel. It's the articles that I read that inspire me, they lead me to try their ideas and I am always pleased with what I have done.

I recently read an article from Writer's Digest called How to Craft Compelling Characters. The article provides tips about creating characters that readers will love, and hate. This article got me thinking about my characters and how compelling they really are. So I decided to interview them based on the article's ideas of what good character development means. I won't share the details of the interview here, as I'm disappointed in where some of my characters are at in their development and I'm hoping you'll learn about them as you read the story. I will, however, share the questions that I asked so that you can use them on your characters.

I answered the questions based on only what is written in the story so that I could see if there were any gaps that needed to be filled. Keep in mind that not every character will answer every question, but try to answer as many as you can. And if you see a question with no answer that should have one, make sure you find a way to answer it.

• What's really important to you?
• What do you need that you do not have?
• What do you have that you can not live without?
• What keeps you from getting what you need?
• What have you tried and failed in your quest to get what you need?
• How would you describe your current circumstances?
• What would make your circumstances worse?
• What would make your circumstances better?
• What keeps you from improving your circumstances?
• Who is your best friend? Why?
• What person do you distrust? Why?
• Do you think that people like you as a person?
• Does anyone openly dislike you? What about private dislike?
• Is there anyone in the world that you would give your life for? Why?
• Do you have any secrets?
• Do your secrets affect anyone around you?
• Who else knows your secrets?
• What do you think your best quality is?
• What do you think your worst quality is?
• What frightens you most?
• What makes you feel powerful or strong?
• What makes you sad?
• What makes you happy?
• Have you experienced shame or guilt?
• Have you caused grief?
• Do you believe yourself to be a generous person?
• Do you believe yourself to be forgiving?

I know that's a lot of questions to ask but the character that can answer most of them will be a deeper character. And when you're reading over the answers, think about the age of the person talking. For example, I found that one of my characters who is older than most of them read as if he were a young boy. I have some life experience to add to make him feel more realistic.

I hope you enjoy the interviews with your characters. This was a fun exercise for me. And add more questions if you feel that they'd fit into your story better.

Wilson's Blessing

Light clouds covered the morning sun as we walked up 6th Street towards the Space Needle. We sniffled against the chill of the wind. Our destination had seemed much closer when we first spotted it but as we walked further we began to plan the Light Rail trip back. But it was a nice morning and the walk was good for us.

We dodged people coming out of Top Pot donuts and then crossed the street. A tall, fairly well dressed African American man approached us and said, "Good morning!" in the most genuine tone I'd ever heard. His eyes were clear and bright. 

"Good morning," we both said back with a smile.

The man stopped. He said, "Do you know that most people will only look away and keep walking?" in a very thick Nigerian accent.

We didn't know what to say so we smiled at him and shook our heads in polite disbelief.  

"It is true," he said. "And do you know that if we stop saying good morning to each other, we are breaking down our communication?"

We both nodded. It had never been something that we'd talked about, communication, but we both agree that it's important. I think most people do.

"Communication is what makes us human beings. The way we communicate," he said.

"It is," I said.

"I am homeless and hungry," the man said. "It is like being at the bottom of the mountain, looking up at the top, and there is no way to get there."

The man extended his hand to shake mine. "I am Wilson. What is your name?"

"Jessica."

"And you, sir?" he said, turning to my sweetie.

"Mike."

"You two are good people, I can see this." He met our eyes with his. "I am hungry. Do you have any money that you can share with me so that I can eat?"

Without hesitation, Mike and I rummaged in our pockets and purse. I found a snickers bar (my emergency stash) and a SoyJoy bar that I'd picked up at the Emerald City Comicon. I handed them over. Mike found a five dollar bill in his pocket. "Get yourself some  McDonalds or something." There was no doubt in our hearts that Wilson would squander what we’d given him. We both tossed in a couple of cigarettes for him because cigarettes in Seattle are expensive.

"Thank you very much," he said. "This will give me energy for another day." He bowed his head to us a little.

"You're welcome," Mike and I said at the same time.

"Jessica and Mike," he said, his accent fully engaged, "I am going to give you a blessing. Not just a blessing for you, but for your whole families."

We both stood smiling at Wilson. Sunlight broke through a spot in the clouds. I laughed inwardly at the change in the overcast sky.

Wilson said, "May God bless your lives with happiness and may your faces always be like this.” He stopped and looked at our faces, which I must admit did feel more joyful than usual. “You have shared with me. May God bless you."

It was a powerful feeling, being blessed by a total stranger. I know that it happens all the time, but Wilson's blessing felt different to me. It came from gratitude. It came from honesty. It came from someone who had nothing but a blessing to give.

Wilson thanked us again before walking away with the same vitality he'd walked to us.

Mike and I walked to the Space Needle and took some pictures. We talked about Wilson, but not about his message of communicating. We talked about him, the wonder of him.

May God bless Wilson and help him reach the top of the mountain.

The Emerald City Comicon 2011

For the past 9 years, the beautiful city of Seattle has hosted the Emerald City Comiccon, a mecca of comics and pop culture. Artists and retailers come to peddle their wares and to sign a few autographs.

We met Steve Lieber, Kurt Busiek, Dusty Peterson, Mike Mignola, Greg Ruka, Erik Larsen, Diana Greenhalgh and a couple other's that I'm sorry that I can't remember. They all signed their books for us and we spent some time talking to each of them. I have to say that Steve Lieber was my favorite. He picked up the comic book that Mike had just bought from him and instead of just signing the
cover like the rest of the artists did, he opened it up and starting sketching a face. Then, as if he needed to ask permission, he looked up at us and said, "Do you mind if I do a quick sketch?" with genuine curiosity. As if we could have said no. He drew a cool lady with a headband. Dusty Peterson was also really cool to talk to. In case you don't know, he's drawn album art for Six Feet Under. (Not my kind of music, really, but beautiful and dark art.)

There were many, many interesting people at the ECCC as well. William Shatner, Brent Spiner and Jonathan Frakes were there. The 501st and other Star Wars Cosplay groups were there. I met an ewok; it was a glorious time.

There were all sorts of super heroes in all shapes and sizes. There was a lot of spandex on people that it shouldn't be and a few people that it seemed to be made for. I had a great time getting my picture taken with some of them.

The media guests charge to have a photo taken with them. No thanks. But they also do panel interviews. We went to only one panel, Jonathan Frakes. He was hilarious and charming. We were very entertained. And it was nice to sit down for an hour.

We also met some of the people from 343 Industries, a video game company. They were as cool as my boyfriend said they would be and I look forward to getting to chat with them again sometime.

The convention ran for three days and we were present for all of them. It was time well spent and the proximity of the convention center to nearly every other Seattle attraction kept us from getting bored.

2 Movies+1 Book=1 Incredible Story

**spoiler alert**

Is it possible to give a 1 person standing ovation?
I'd like to give one to Charles Portis, the author of True Grit.
I've never been able to read an entire book in one day. I just don't have the focus for it after years of multitasking. Goodness knows I try. But when I started reading True Grit, after watching both versions of the film, I tore through the pages without stopping. Perhaps it was because I loved the movies so much and knew the story well, or because I wanted to know which version of the movie's ending had it straight. Here's what I learned.

The real story of True Grit, in a nutshell: Mattie Ross' father, Frank Ross, is shot in cold blood by a man that he'd been trying to help. The man who shot him, Tom Chaney, disappears into the Oklahoma Territory where the local law can not go. Mattie insists that Chaney be brought to justice. She hires a U.S. Marshall to find Tom Chaney, seeking a man who's got grit. She chooses Rooster Cogburn, a one eyed drunk, and offers to pay him fifty dollars to find Chaney and bring him back to Fort Smith to be hanged for the murder of her father. Rooster reluctantly agrees, after much negotiating.
While Rooster is stalling the trek into the Oklahoma Territory, a Texas Ranger named LaBoeuf, comes to Mattie about Tom Chaney. He is also looking for the man to be brought back to Texas and hanged for the murder of a senator and his hound. He tries to talk Mattie into letting him help her find Chaney then take him to Texas instead of Fort Smith but Mattie won't stand for this and tells LaBoeuf so in her purposeful and witty way. Rooster and LaBoeuf meet and discuss the girl and her plan. Eventually Rooster and LaBoeuf decide that they're going to go alone to get Chaney and Mattie will be notified when he's been hanged. She won't stand for this either and follows them, regardless of how they treat her.
Adventure ensues and they do end up catching Tom Chaney. Mattie is then kidnapped by Chaney's companions and Rooster and LaBoeuf are forced to flee and see her die. They go. And I'm sorry if you don't know how it ends because you're about to. Mattie shoots Tom Chaney but the blast knocks her down into a pit of rattlesnakes. She's stuck and her arm is broken. As she's trying not to slip through the moss and brambles, deeper into the pit, the snakes wake from their winter slumber and one bites her.
Chaney comes to and finds Mattie in the pit where he prepares to shoot her. Rooster comes back just in time to finish Chaney off, dropping him into the pit with Mattie. Rooster goes down into the hole and gets her out and leaves Chaney dead with the snakes and another mans remains. When Rooster finds out about the snake bite, he rushes Mattie back to Fort Smith, running her pony to death and then carrying her the rest of the way. She loses her arm. There's not a really happy ending, but everything ends up the way that Mattie wanted it to be. And for Mattie, justice is happiness.

The Coen brothers are brilliant. If their version of True Grit doesn't win at least 3 Oscars, I'm going to be really disappointed in the American public. (Facebook is not more important than the adventure of a willful young woman.) But their version is a little different. Mattie has different experiences with Rooster in the movie than she does in the book. LaBoeuf doesn't go his own way in the book either, but I think that the way that the Coen brothers wrote it makes the connection between Rooster and Mattie so much stronger. It makes the ending so much more powerful. I'd like to see it again before it leaves the theater, and I can honestly say that I haven't felt this way about a movie in a long time. Mattie Ross is such an incredible character that she sticks in my mind. I really appreciate Charles Portis' talent for providing his fourteen year old girl so much gumption and wit. I hope to someday write characters as well as he wrote Mattie.

Now, as for the original True Grit, its more similar to the book for the majority of the film. But given the fact that this version was made in 1969 and Mattie Ross was being played by Kim Darby, a much too sweet version of the sharp tongued young woman in the novel, the ending is different. It wouldn't be right for Miss Darby to appear to have shot a man or to have lost her arm. Not many people would have bothered to watch something like that in those days. (We're tougher nowadays) And I don't think that John Wayne would have allowed it.
On a side note, I didn't realize that John Wayne only knows how to be one character and that he reminds me of my uncle so much.

Charles Portis, thank you for your work. I will read it again and again. Joel and Ethan Coen, I love what you've done with your updates. And the dirtiness of it all really makes it seem realistic. I'm hoping that it wins the Best Picture award. I also think it would be very special if Jeff Bridges won the Best Actor award because John Wayne won it for the origincal Rooster Cogburn. And I loved the way Jeff Bridges portrayed the one eyed fat man. Hailee Steinfeild also deserves the Best Supporting Actress (which should have been the Best Actress, but whatever) because she was Mattie Ross exactly as Mr. Portis intended, I believe.
Good luck to all of them.

And if you haven't read or seen True Grit, I highly recommend doing both. And I'm sorry about the spoiler.