MAKES FOR A VERY DULL PERSON . . .

I spent the entire weekend either pounding the keyboard working on my manuscript or involved in business-related stuff for my writing.  But I'm pleased to say the manuscript now has 126 pages completed.

However, I played hooky yesterday and Ray and I attended a very nice luncheon at the Island Room.  It was a benefit for the Children's Summer Program at the Arts Center.  The food was yummy, the socializing enjoyable and it was good to chill out a bit.

Today and tomorrow I'm back to work, but I'll be taking Thursday off.  The Women's Club of Cedar Key is having a luncheon and fashion show.  I think it'll be a lot of fun and I'm looking forward to that.

I wanted to mention for those of you that volunteered to be judges for the Florida Writers Royal Palm Literary Award.......only a few entries have come in so far.  But the contest is open until August 1, so I'm sure it won't be long till you find some of the entries in your mailbox.

And to answer the question of a recent commenter........Yes, my character of Sydney in my novel is age fifty-two and yes, I agree.......We do need more characters in that age group written both for fiction and for film.

And for the second part of the question......."Who would you wish to play her in a movie?"  Actually, while writing the novel, Sydney was a bit blurry in my mind physically.   I could "see" her hairstyle and her facial expressions, but I seemed to "see" inside of her more than I saw her outside, if that makes sense.  I was so easily able to get inside her head, so to speak.  So I knew her very well emotionally, yet her physical appearance seemed to be generic to me. 

But as I came to the end of the story, all of a sudden I saw Sally Field as my Sydney.  Her mannerisms, her expressions, those kind of things seemed to be my character.  So if the novel was to ever make it to film, I'd probably see Sally Field in my mind.  But of course.......it wouldn't matter at all, I don't think, because I tend to doubt that authors are consulted for casting.  But since this question was brought up, with more thought, I've also come up with the following actresses who would be a very good Sydney.......Marlo Thomas, Michelle Pfeiffer, Diane Lane and of course Meryl Streep.

Most of you have never read the original manuscript, but my character of Sybile Bowden (Sydney's biological mother) is larger-than-life and from the moment I created her, I only saw one person in my mind that was Sybile..........Shirley MacLaine.  My Sybile is crusty, bold, outspoken, selfish and a woman who lives life on her own terms.  I never once saw anybody but Shirley MacLaine in my head as I created her and watched her grow throughout the novel. 

Interestingly enough, Book #2 is a sequel to the first one, and I have the character of Monica firmly in my head.......I see Naomi Judd.  Monica is Sydney's daughter and Book #2 is her story and from her point of view. 

So there ya have it........any other questions, feel free to leave them in the comment section.  Eventually I will answer them as time permits.  See you here next time............