They were talking about drag racing. About souped-up cars,
low-riders, and all that fun stuff.
“My first car was a low-rider,” I said.
They didn’t believe me. Especially when I produced a picture
of that particular vehicle—the Suzuki Sidekick I bought off eBay when I was in
college. The one with ground effects, big rims, skinny tires, and a custom
paint job. (And a whole lot of issues, but that’s beside the point.)
Fun times.
A few weeks after my new friends found out this little
tidbit, they were still shaking their heads in disbelief. Besides hearing the
roar of the engine and bouncing along as I shifted gears, the unexpectedness
was half the fun of my little tin can. People didn’t expect someone like me to
step out of that car. Without even meaning to, they imagined who would be
sitting behind the wheel, and I didn’t fit the stereotype. Which just made life
a little more fun.
Another friend is a musician—very talented. She’s a petite
young woman who can talk faster than anyone I know, plays the organ and piano,
loves classical music and old architecture and reading and discovering a good
restaurant. Also, she loves to shoot and has a growing gun collection.
That last bit, to me, didn’t fit the mold. It was unexpected,
and makes getting to know her that much more delightful.
In my current WIP, I’m really enjoying working with one of
my characters. She’s loud and gets into people’s business, wears a bandana and has
a few blue hair extensions mixed in with her dark locks. And she has a soft
spot for old-fashioned Sunday dinner, complete with embroidered linens—not an
interest you would expect her to have if you met her. (Which I hope you will at
some point.) She’s lace and rough-hewn wood, and the hero can’t help being
fascinated by her.
For you writers, what about your current story—do any of
your characters have an unexpected hobby, collection, quirk, etc.? And what’s
something people might find unexpected about you?
I love how God created each of us unique. No carbon copies,
no copy and paste. We’re each wonderfully and remarkably made. So learn
something new about someone around you today, and see if you can find a way to
add new dimensions to your characters.
~ Jenness
(Stay tuned -- A brand new website is coming SOON!)
My current heroine dangles forty stories above the street. She's a cat burglar. And rock climber. As for me? People are always amazed that I write murder stories. :-)
ReplyDeleteYou are such a sweet person, after all. :)
DeleteI love this,Jenness! Some people don't know that I worked in Bolivia as a missionary for about 10 years or that I coached a high school girl's basketball team. Only a few know that I've written several books...now to find an agent who would like to know that!
ReplyDeleteTeri here: I love this Jenness! Most people don't know that I worked as a missionary in Bolivia for about 10 years...or that I coached a high school girl's basketball team...after all, those two things totally go together!
ReplyDelete