These are the kinds of questions I ask myself when getting to know my characters. They first come to me as snapshots; I can only see their faces. But there’s a whole person there, and I consider it both a duty and a joy to get to know them well enough that I know what they will do in most situations.

To that end, I use a Blank Character Sheet. I developed it from several (credited) sources, and it’s detailed enough to help you know your character better than you know some of your flesh-and-blood friends. I’m sharing it because I think all characters deserve to be well-rounded people, and all writers deserve to experience the fun of discovering the hidden depths of the people in their own stories. Feel free to use as much or as little of it as you wish. If you share it, though, please share the whole thing so the proper people can be acknowledged.

Have fun getting to know your characters. You might be surprised at what they say when you ask them who they really are.

Sometimes I wake up in the morning with an idea so compelling that I have to grab my dream book and write the idea down that instant, or I will lose it. Sadie and William’s story started out that way. Luckily it was a weekend morning, because I wrote for two hours without stopping for more than a potty break and some coffee. It became a full first draft.

Wikipedia says: The Muses… in Greek mythology, poetry, and literature, are the goddesses who inspire the creation of literature and the arts. They were considered the source of the knowledge…

Director Albert Brooks made a film called “The Muse” in which Sharon Stone’s eponymous character is a demanding, annoying crazy lady who nevertheless inspires Brooks’ character in spite of all the trouble she causes. Or because of it?

Judy Collins has said, “When inspiration does not come, I go for a walk, go to the movies, talk to a friend, let go… The muse is bound to return again, especially if I turn my back!”

And Piers Anthony has said, “One reason I don’t suffer Writer’s Block is that I don’t wait on the muse, I summon it at need.”

Elizabeth Gilbert has some very interesting things to say about The Muse as well. “Listen, you, thing, you and I both know that if this book isn’t brilliant that is not entirely my fault, right? Because you can see that I am putting everything I have into this, I don’t have any more than this. So if you want it to be better, then you’ve got to show up and do your part of the deal, okay? But if you don’t do that, you know what, the hell with it, I’m going to keep writing anyway because that’s my job. And I would please like the record to reflect today that I showed up for my part of the job.” For more from Elizabeth Gilbert, you can watch this great video: http://stranglingmymuse.wordpress.com/2009/11/03/are-you-the-genius-or-is-the-genius-working-through-you/

I am a writer. I have not known this for very long, less than two years, and I’m in my 5th decade. It’s not the only thing I am. I’m also a mother-daughter-wife, a quilter and church-rummage-sale volunteer, an indifferent cook, a dog-and-baby-lover, the person at the movies who has to bring Kleenex even if it’s a comedy.

But there are definitely some stories that have come to me to be written. If I don’t write them, the writer they finally get may not tell them the way they wish to be told. They had to bonk me on the head with increasing force, but I finally got the message. I am responsible to these stories. They need me.

I must do my part, must sit down and write, for them to happen; I must find the time, the quiet, the space; I must pee and eat, feed the dogs so they’ll sit quietly with me, and make sure I have my coffee. I have had to train my family to take their questions elsewhere when I’m writing. I have had to train myself to ignore their questions when I am writing. Because my Muse is waiting for my fingers and mind to be in place so the ideas can flow.

My Muse and I are partners. We have to work together for stories to get written. The Muse inspires; I wrestle and guide.

What’s in your Muse?

In the first draft Sadie had no name, actually, neither of them had a name, and no one who looked at their short story liked it very much at all. But I did, I do, so they’re getting my attention while Dash and Callie simmer and percolate.

And I’m working on their story nearly every day so far this year. Yes, I know its only the 8th day of 2012, but I’ve written more than 6000 words in those 8 days, and for me that’s a lot.

My most important 2012 writing resolution is to write twice a week. Life gets in my way often, and I have gone two whole weeks at once without writing anything, not a word. So, if I can consistently write twice a week, will be a wonderful thing.

Next, I have to decide if I ever want to be one of those writers who is so popular that they have to write four books a year. Can I do that? Probably, but what would I have to give up? Well, it sure wouldn’t be reading. Perhaps eating? At least I’d lose weight. That’s a-whole-nother story.

Happy New Year! May it be productive and prosperous and joyful. Here’s hoping we’re able to keep our resolutions for at least a month!

Seems like a no-brainer, right?

Not so much. I’ve been blinded by some conveniently interfering ideas…my book will be finished by then, I won’t have the time, I want my writing to be perfect, its too much work….blah blah blah.

But today, AFTER NaNoWriMo started, I decided to do it anyway. I will write for 2 hrs each day, in 20 minute chunks, taking care of life in-between in 10 minute chunks, for AT LEAST TODAY. If I can quit smoking one day at a time, I can write my book one day at a time, no matter how many other priorities come up.

I CAN!!!!

So, unless you write perfectly and have all the friends you can possible handle, in which case I imagine you are NOT actually reading this blog, I would recommend you find a local group (check Craigslist, the Library, and professional writing organizations for local chapters), join it, and attend!