FUN CREATING GREAT VIVID CHARACTERS by Sheryl Jordan

When I read stories or watch movies and TV shows of any genre, my attention is immediately drawn to the characters. I want to relate to them in some way. From my perspective, characters can make or break the story. Many articles and opinions exist on what   makes great characters and how to build them for stories.

Some common themes are that characters must be believable, have conflict, flaws, and quirks, and must grab and hold the audience’s attention throughout the story. This can be through understanding their goals, conflicts, and needs, or they may have traits the audience sees in people they know or wish they had. They desire to feel connected to the characters.

One of my favorite novel series is The Women’s Murder Club by James Patterson (and his team of co-authors). The novels feature an ensemble of lead women characters who are best friends and work in professions that bring them together to solve crimes they face. Lindsey Boxer is a detective, Cindy Thomas is a reporter, Claire Washburn is a medical examiner, and Yuki Castellano is a district attorney. Each woman has conflicts in her life, which she works through as she solves cases. They are all engaging, fun, intelligent, strong women with flaws and quirks.

Readers who have enjoyed my stories often tell me they love my characters and how they interact with one another. More than a few times I have been asked how I came up with my characters. I use various methods depending on the story or my level of motivation at the time. Sometimes, I think about my current and past relationships with family and friends. For example, if siblings in my story have healthy, strong bonds, I reflect on my relationship with my siblings and use some traits from our interactions. I draw from the love we have for each other. We are supportive and encouraging of each other’s goals and ambitions.

Other times, I use traits, personalities, and conflicts of people I have met or seen. I once met a man and his dog at one of my first book signings. The man shared his story of traveling cross country after he sold everything he owned, which I think about often. Through this brief encounter, I saw traits in him and his dog that would make beautiful characters in a future story!

At times, I just start writing. As I write, I develop characters as the story progresses. I do end up jotting notes of the traits and struggles the character may need to possess to add color and dynamics to the story. I then break the lists into what works or does not work for the storyline. I then build the character from there.

I also generate pictures of what I envision my characters look like and make an outline of their personalities, flaws, conflicts, quirks, and struggles. This provides a visual to refer to as I write. It is easier to show and build the characters throughout the story. Several AI programs are now available to create characters (for a fee). You only need to type a few descriptive traits you want your character to have, or you can even upload a photo. I have not utilized these yet, but they seem interesting and fun.

I find creating characters to be one of the enjoyable steps in writing stories because you can use your imagination and draw from people you may know, hear of, or even see in passing. Whatever method I use for stories, I always enjoy creating, getting to know, and understanding my characters!

What are some of your favorite characters in stories? What makes characters memorable for you?

 

Creating Characters Links:

https://www.bbcmaestro.com/blog/how-to-create-story-characters

https://prowritingaid.com/art/2363/character-development.aspx

https://writingcooperative.com/creatingvividcharacters-44ef5690e266

 

James Patterson Women’s Murder Club Link:

https://www.fantasticfiction.com/p/james-patterson/womens-murder-club/

AI Character Generator Links:

https://perchance.org/ai-character-generator

https://www.canva.com/ai-character-generator/

https://app.artflow.ai/

https://www.quora.com/What-are-some-good-AI-character-generators

AUTHOR WEBSITES: IS IT A MUST HAVE FOR ALL WRITERS? by Sheryl Jordan

 

I keep putting off building up my author’s website. Recently, I decided I need to get it fully up and running soon. I have my domain and have had it for several years. I added ‘stuff’ to it years ago but haven’t kept it up to date. I didn’t like it and made some changes, but it still isn’t where I want and need it to be. So, I just let it sit dormant (I know this is terrible for a writer to do). I obviously have no experience in creating a website, so I started researching how to create a fabulous website that is user-friendly and fully functional as well as showing who I am and what I do.

JUNETEENTH-- THE ELEVENTH U.S. FEDERAL HOLIDAY by Sheryl Jordan

JUNETEENTH – THE ELEVENTH U.S. FEDERAL HOLIDAY by Sheryl Jordan

 

The History

For some people, Juneteenth is just another day off work or school, but there is so much more behind the holiday and its history. It is an important part of U.S. history, which changed America in many ways. The freedom it represented for so many was astounding.

Juneteenth is short for June Nineteenth, the day in 1865 on which slaves in Texas were officially freed. On June 18, 1865, Union soldiers arrived in Galveston, Texas. I'm sure the people of the city were wondering what was going on. The following day, as Major General Gordon Granger walked through the town and informed the community about President Lincoln's signing of the proclamation, I'm sure some folks were not happy about it. Some enslavers were probably pretty sure being slave owners would be part of their lives forever. Perhaps some of the slaves thought they died and went to heaven!  Some may have been scared and not sure they were hearing the news correctly. Although Emancipation Proclamation was issued two and a half years prior, enslavers were held responsible for telling the enslaved they were free, and some ignored the directive. Major General Gordon demanded Galveston locals comply with the proclamation. This was a day that changed many lives forever.

Juneteenth did not end slavery. The Emancipation Proclamation ended slavery in Confederate states during the Civil War but not in Union states such as Maryland, where people were still practicing involuntary servitude. Only through the Thirteenth Amendment to the United States Constitution did emancipation end slavery and involuntary servitude in the United States,  signed on February 1, 1865, by President Lincoln. 

The former slaves rejoiced in their new freedom. They began celebrating through prayer, song, and dance. One can only imagine the encouragement and feelings of empowerment the former slaves experienced emotionally. They must have had the euphoria after two hundred-plus years of African Americans being enslaved and suddenly, they were free!

Texas being the last state in which the proclamation was announced, was the first state to recognize Juneteenth statewide. The annual holiday to commemorate the official day enslaved African Americans in Galveston were freed began in 1866. When African Americans migrated from the South, the holiday spread across the country.

Juneteenth is also known throughout the world as Jubilee Day, Emancipation Day, Freedom Day, Black Independence Day, Cel-Liberation Day, and Second Independence Day. Congress passed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act in June 2021, one day after the Senate unanimously passed the bill. It became a federal holiday when President Joe Biden signed the Act on June 17, 2021. After the murders of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor, Democratic Senator Ed Markey first introduced the Juneteenth Bill in 2020, however, it didn't get passed.

"Today’s Senate passage of our legislation to commemorate Juneteenth as a federal holiday will address this long-ignored gap in our history, recognize the wrong that was done, acknowledge the pain and suffering of generations of slaves and their descendants, and finally celebrate their freedom," Markey said after the bill passed on June 17 of 2021. (USA Today, 2022)

The Flag

Did you know there is an official Juneteenth flag to honor the day which represents the history and freedom of the American Slaves and their descendants? It was designed by Ben Haith, founder of the National Juneteenth Celebration Foundation (NJCF) in 1997, and other collaborators Lisa Jeanne Graff, illustrator brought the group's vision to life.

The white star in the center represents “Texas, the Lone Star State” and the freedom of African Americans in all fifty states.

The burst outlining the star is inspired by a nova, meaning a new star.

The arc extending across the flag's width represents a new horizon - a new freedom, a new people, new opportunities, and promises that lay ahead for Black Americans.

In 2007, the date June 19, 1865, was added commemorating the day the enslaved African Americans in Galveston were told of their emancipation.

In addition to the official flag, many communities also include the PAN-African flag during Juneteenth celebrations. The flag’s colors are red, black, and green. Per the Pan-African Alliance:

Red represents the millions of Black men and women who lost their lives while enslaved, as civil rights leaders, and those unjustly murdered.

Black represents the melanin of Black people, the rich soil of the Nile valley, and the unification of the African diaspora.

Green stands for fertility, productivity, and prosperity and is the fertile cradle of Africa.

Celebrations

Juneteenth is celebrated in many ways around the world which include:

Flag-raising ceremonies.

Cookouts

Parades

Festivals

Block parties

Church services

Ceremonies to honor community service

Red color food and beverages – symbolize the bloodshed of enslaved ancestors due to the transatlantic slave trade. 

I attended Jubilee events at Powderhorn Park in Minneapolis, MN as a teenager with my sister and friends and later with my husband. Although I didn’t really know the history of Juneteenth during those times, I always enjoyed the festival. I love the unity of people honoring the importance of Juneteenth. I felt connected with fellow Americans, of all races in attendance and the celebrations.

This year I plan to attend various Juneteenth events with my family. My husband and I discuss each holiday's history and its significance with our grandchildren. Trust me, we will be discussing Juneteenth with them again this year. We want to ensure they understand the holiday and why it is an important part of history to be celebrated as other holidays they are familiar with.  

Juneteenth celebrations can be small and personal or huge and elaborate. Have you celebrated Juneteenth in past years? Will you celebrate Juneteenth this year? If so, how?

Not sure how to celebrate Juneteenth? You can find suggestions and listings of 2023 Juneteenth Events near you on the internet.

References:

https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2022/06/15/juneteenth-us-federal-holiday/7582744001/

https://www.cnn.com/2022/06/17/us/juneteenth-flag-meaning-explainer-cec/index.html#:~:text=The%20red%2C%20white%20and%20blue,became%20Americans%20under%20the%20law

https://www.archives.gov/milestone-documents/13th-amendment#:~:text=The%2013th%20Amendment%20to%20the%20United%20States%20Constitution%20provides%20that,place%20subject%20to%20their%20jurisdiction.%22

Related Articles and Videos

https://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/history/what-is-juneteenth/

https://www.juneteenth.com/history/

https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2022/06/17/nearly-half-of-states-now-recognize-juneteenth-as-an-official-holiday/

https://www.history.com/news/what-is-juneteenth

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KBtIHTcDfYg

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=i8EY9e7Vjis 

WHAT'S IN OUR BEACH BAGS? by The Sand in our Shorts Gang

Who would have thought? It's been almost a year since we started the SAND IN OUR SHORTS blog! What fun! 

When we started out, the original group of contributing authors worked together on an article, "What's in Our Beach Bags?"  We never published it.  We'll, here we are a year into this adventure, and on the cusp of another summer. So we thought, "Why not publish it now?" And here we go! A special mid-week post! 

As we all get ready to head to the beach for a little R&R (that's Reading and Relaxation, which is what writers do), we asked each what they have in their beach bag. Here are their answers:

Michael Rigg:

My beach bag has lots of sunscreen (I like the spray-on kind)—with as many SPFs as you can get—a big-brimmed straw hat, sunglasses, binoculars, and a small cooler with cold soda and water. Maybe I’ll throw in a bag of munchies, if there’s enough room. I’ll also need to bring an umbrella because I’m not supposed to get too much sun. I don’t do well reading in the sun, but I’ll bring a copy of Virginia is for Mysteries III to impress everyone around me! The final thing in my bag is a beach towel. Oh, and my iPhone. Along with my umbrella (which probably won’t fit in my bag), I’ll have a nice folding chair. Maybe instead of a beach bag, I need one of those beach carts with the humongous wheels.

 

Jayne Ormerod:

I've got a lot of sand in the bottom of my beach bag. Lots and lots of sand. Could almost start my own private beach in my backyard. That's testament to frequent trips to the beach to watch the sailboat races, enjoyment of which is augmented while sipping a glass of wine at sunset. This requires that I also keep wine glass stakes in my beach bag. They are posts that are shoved into the sand close to my chair. They have a little knob at the top in which to slip the stem of my wine glass, holding it upright throughout the evening and thus preventing spillage. Wine spillage is a class-one felony at my beach. Cheers!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! By the Sand in Our Shorts bloggers

All of the writers of the "Sand in our Shorts" blog wish all of our readers a wonderful year to come! We've put together some of our favorite poems to curl up with on a cold winter's day, so grab a blanket and a warm cup of cheer and enjoy!

Maria Hudgins: My favorite poem is "The Cremation of Sam McGee" by Robert Service.

"Now Sam McGee was from Tennessee . . ."

RECIPES OF WRITING by Sheryl Jordan

 

A co-worker gave me a Strawberry Pretzel Dessert recipe over 35 years ago when I was living in Minnesota. It quickly became a  favorite dessert of my family which I make for most holiday celebrations. It’s a relatively simple recipe with only seven ingredients, but it tastes so delightful!

I didn’t get to make this desert much during the summer holidays as we were quite busy. We sold our previous home, and moved into an apartment, putting most of our possessions in storage. Throughout July we traveled quite a bit for our family. We traveled to New York for a quick getaway. Upon returning home, we found a home we love and put an offer in. We then traveled to Washington, D.C. with our daughter and grandchildren so they could see some of the beautiful historical landmarks of the city. We returned to Norfolk and prepared for a quick trip to Chicago for a family gathering.  We closed on the new house and moved in the latter part of September. We are still moving things from the storage unit into the new home. All of this is going on while we are both working demanding jobs, making sure the grandkids come over each weekend and trying to get settled in at our new home.

MY WRITING JOURNEY by Sheryl Jordan

People often ask me how long it takes to write my stories. My response is it varies. It took me four years to finish my first novel. While it takes me anywhere from two weeks to three months to draft my short stories.

There are many things that impact my writing. When I started my novel, I had no idea how to even begin. I just started telling the story. I wrote and wrote. Then one day my vision went from being 20/20 to severely blurred, then the darkness came. I couldn’t see anything clearly. I wasn’t completely blind, but everything around me was so dark. It was a scary time in which my life changed. I couldn’t write for months, amongst doing other tasks I considered normal everyday things such as cooking a meal or driving to the store. My vision returned two months later as mysteriously as it had diminished. Thanking God every day for the return of my sight, this was an extreme setback as I had to catch up on life and get back to doing things as I did prior to my vision depletion.