A Focus on Friendships - Part Two of Three

Thanks for tuning in for part two of three on our focus on friendships. My favorite books are the ones where I feel most kindred to the characters. I finish those books and feel like I've had a visit with a dear friend. During Part One of our focus, we talked about feedback; giving it, receiving it, growing from it, walking away, considering the reason for the feedback, and MORE! In part two, let's talk about what draws us to certain people and pushes us away from others. 

 So - here goes - let's talk about friendships, shall we? This isn't me telling you what to do or not to do - it's just a conversation and hopefully it will offer each of us a little something. Grab your favorite beverage (I'll fill my coffee mug) and we can chat a bit. Stop back in a few weeks for part three publishing on the 6th of September!. If you're wondering, today's photo headline is me and my best friend celebrating our engagement over a decade ago - he still makes me smile like this! 

Let's start with a quote by English writer Samuel Johnson (1709-1784)

THE TWO MOST ENGAGING POWERS OF AN AUTHOR ARE TO 

MAKE NEW THINGS FAMILIAR AND MAKE FAMILIAR THINGS NEW

  

Isn't that an interesting concept (and clearly not a new one)? I think about this as I start a new book. I've never met these characters before, but if they feel familiar to me I am immediately drawn in. As authors, we need to keep this at the forefront of our craft and make sure those real life idiosyncrasies of each character make it to the page. Often, in our own mind we know our characters quite well, but we need to make sure they feel familiar to our readers as well. So - how do we best do this? By taking a look at what draws us to friendships off the page.

What is it about someone that draws us in and makes us decide they need to be part of our world? Is it an unexplainable energy or vibe, a welcoming smile, their posture? What makes them approachable (or how did they approach us - in the case of an introvert)? Think about these things and make sure they land on your page - your readers will thank you! And for non-writers; remember that the key to a healthy relationship of any kind is appreciating the other person; so as you read this, think about what it is you appreciate about those friends in your life - and get out there and tell them about it! Similarly, if you're a reader who has fallen in love with the characters written by a particular author - take a moment to thank them in a review! 

Our time is coming to an end today - but before we get together again, leave a comment and answer one of these questions if you would please? 

 ** Were you ever drawn to someone after initially thinking you didn't really care for them? What shifted? 

** Have you ever ended a friendship? Why and what feelings went along with that "break up"?

** What do you think is the key to a long lasting friendship?

And with that - hugs my dear friend and until next time!

~Crystal

Today's blogger is Crystal J. Casavant-Otto who is a hot mess of a momma and dairy farmer enjoying her little corner of the cornfield in Wisconsin!