2/23/10

Love for the Library (Part 2)

What does the library mean to you? 

That was the question posed to me by the Natrona County Public Library in Casper, Wyoming as part of its upcoming 100th anniversary celebration this Spring.  The librarians asked authors from across the country to submit personal letters that will be shared with the community.

To my surprise, the writing assignment turned out to be more fun that I had anticipated, and that's why I'm sharing my letter with you.  As posted in Part 1 of today's blog, the feeling I had when receiving my very first library card was like the day we all earn our driver's license as teenagers.  You feel a rush of freedom to read to your heart's delight and a sense of independence to actually have a card in your name to put in your wallet or purse. 

Here is the rest of my letter to the Natrona County Public Library about my lifelong love affair with public libraries:
I come from a large family of ten siblings. My sisters and I would create imaginary worlds in our house’s basement and attics, in forts made in the fields, and in tree houses. The plots and characters we assumed were derived from those in the books that we read (from our town library). When I wasn’t playing with my sisters, I was usually found reading or writing stories of my own. I’ve often thought that were it not for the presence of books in my life, I might have been a lonely child.


I remain a voracious reader who continues to write my own imaginative tales. When I’m not working, I still love to wander into the local library. There is something comforting about the smell of book pages permeating the air and the sight of colorful book spines lined neatly on the shelves. I especially love witnessing a child’s reaction to their first library visit. It’s a reminiscent reminder that something magical always awaits at the library!
Forever a fan of the library,
Mary Alice Monroe
What are your fond memories of your local library? 

There is no doubt that modern technology is rapidly changing our reading habits.  We can order books with the click of a mouse and download new releases onto our portable electronic reading devices.  But, my hope is we will always cherish and support our local library.  It's free entertainment, family friendly, a reliable resource, and a place where you can always feel a sense of community. 

Love for the Library (Part 1)

I just sent off a letter to the Natrona County Public Library in Casper, Wyoming.  It was at the library's request as the staff prepares for its centennial celebration this Spring.  Their request was for me to write a letter about what public libraries mean to me. 

The assignment turned into an unexpected and wonderful adventure down memory lane.  I had such a good time thinking back to my personal library experiences that I thought I'd share my letter with you.  I hope this will spark your own reflection and encourage you to post your own comments about why you love the library too! 
Dear fellow booklovers,
The chorus of one Jimmy Buffett song captures my lifelong love affair with public libraries:
Love in the library, quiet and cool
Love in the library, there are no rules
Surrounded by stories surreal and sublime
I fell in love in the library once upon a time

One of my earliest childhood memories is of my first trip to the library in Evanston, Illinois. I can remember my feeling of amazement while piling books into my arms. I couldn’t believe all those books were there for me. Getting my very own library card was like a teenager getting their driver’s license! It was like getting the keys to a candy shop for my imagination.
Read more this afternoon...

2/15/10

Thoughts on Writing: Crafting Character

The office chair seems to have a permanent indention in it as I diligently write more and more pages for my latest novel. With the book deadline heading for the home stretch, my characters continue to take shape with each new chapter.

My assistant, Angela, asked me “Who were some of your favorite book characters?” There are so many, but here are some of my all time favorites:

Peter Pan (The Adventures of Peter Pan) Who doesn’t love that clever, adorable boy who won’t grow up? (and who doesn’t know exactly why Wendy chose another to marry…)


Atticus (To Kill a Mockingbird) The father all of us wished we had, the father men aspire to be. (in fact, my daddy was a lot like Atticus.)


Pilot-Major John Blackthorne (Shogun) A fabulous, well rounded character—plenty of flaws and yet noble. He embodied the misconceptions between East and West that continued for hundreds of years.


Pip (Great Expectations) Such heart!

Penelope (The Shell Seekers) A fully realized character that reveals the culture and sensitivities of the WWII “Greatest Generation” of women and the tremendous post war cultural changes.
Each of these characters was flawed, yet each pursued a journey discovering the depth of their strengths and virtues.

I like to think that crafting characters is like painting. You start with a rough sketch: what they look like, their habits, strengths and flaws. I add a bit of color with tags, speech style, and quirky habits. I add motivations and conflict. As I write the novel, the characters are fleshed out. Like an artist with an oil painting, layers are added for depth and clarity until the portrait is fully realized.

My advice to young writers it not to grow frustrated if a character seems to be lacking in the early process of your writing. Remember, no artist presents a masterpiece with just a pencil sketch. You must add layers of brush strokes and various colors before the painting is complete.

My painting, so to speak, is nearing completion. I hope these latest characters make a lasting impression!