Act as if What You Do Makes A Difference By Connie Vines #YA Historical Novels, #First People, #Lakota, #Writing Tips

 

Act as if what you do makes a difference. 

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.  -- William James

As a writer, I think of scenes and storylines. Every story promises two things to the reader: an emotional one and an intellectual one since the function of a story is to make you feel and think. However, there is also a beginning to each day, where I, as a human being, must function in daily living.

As part of my daily life, I am aware of how my actions, words, and attitudes affect others positively or negatively.

Act as if what you do makes a difference. It does.

Every culture has a code of honor and an acceptable path through life. Some follow that path, while others push or ignore the boundaries.

In addition, if you are familiar with  Native American Culture, the Lakota People know that what you choose to do at any given time, whether a good deed or an evil one, has consequences that impact seven generations. 

Seven generations equals 100 years. (1920 - 2020); (1820 - 1920).

Imagine if one of your ancestors had chosen a different path; your life could be entirely different. 

This is why I strive to take the high road in my writing and personal life. I don't always succeed, but I at least aim for the target.

 I also strive to keep my characters in check. Even when my villains do terrible things (Sister Enid to Tay in Whisper upon the Water), I show motivation and life events. Hence, the reader understands why this happened, but I never make the behavior acceptable.

The beginning of a story should give the reader a person to focus on, yet you are the main character in your life story.

Q and A

Look back over your your life. What have you learned? What stories do you have to share?

What have I learned? 

On a family vacation to a swamp in South Georgia, I learned that gators can run very fast! While that did not make for a particularly fantastic life event (especially at the beginning of the day), it would make a great scene in a novel or short story.

1. I strove to not panic.

2. I did not scream as I ran. 

3. I prayed that my sons would not witness their mother being chomped on by a bellowing alligator.

4. I could outrun the reptile (because it stopped at the top of the hill.)

5. After the event, I explained that my actions (going down to the water's edge) weren't very wise.

6. We discussed what we might watch for so the event was not repeated.

7. After we left the swamp, we stopped at a local eatery for a fried gator tail. Yes, we are not taking the high road here. We called it 'regional food' and left it at that! (I recommend gator tail. It's rich in protein and is the texture of chicken with a richer flavor.)

Q and A

Do the stories you read or the stories you write reflect your personality? 

Or do you go rogue? Are you an introvert reading about the exciting life of an extrovert? Or are historicals your go-to stories?

And, yes, every one of my heroines has a bit of my personality. 😉

Happy Reading,

Connie

Where's Connie?

My BWL Page:  https://bookswelove.net/vines-connie/

My website with more buy links: https://connievines-author.com/

and book blurbs !!

Interview with Cecile Palmer Williams from Destiny's Bride by Ginger Simpson

Today we have a special guest, Cecile Palmer Williams, the heroine from Destiny's Bride, by author, Ginger Simpson.

 
Welcome Cecile. It’s nice to have you with us. I have some questions to ask for our guests about your role in this exciting western historical romance, so let's dig right in.

INT: How in the world did you ever convince your rigid father to allow you to marry a virtual stranger?

CECILE: *Squaring in her chair* You have to remember that back in the olden days, women married young, and sometimes even without the benefit of knowing their groom. Mail order brides were common so I think my father considered that, by some standards, I was well past marrying age and could make my own decisions. Walt simply swept me off my feet and I would have gone anywhere with him. *She smiles with a cocked head*

INT: I read, with great interest, how you perceived your new ‘home’. That must have been a terrible revelation.

CECILE: *Swipes hand across her brow* Oh, you have no idea. Walt had described the perfect setting; he just failed to tell me that he hadn’t yet built a suitable home. My skin was gray from dirt for days… trying to sweep that horrid shack with half a broom someone left behind.  And to be perfectly honest… I didn’t know a thing about keeping house. I guess some might say I was spoiled by my parents. *smile*

INT: I’ll bet you were scared to death when Walt left you alone while he traveled for winter supplies. How did you handle the fear?

CECILE: It wasn’t easy, but someone had to stay behind and tend the animals. *Runs a hand through her long hair*. I never realized how many noises there are once the sun goes down. I just prayed that the lock on that old weathered door worked good enough to keep me safe. God knows, I know nothing about using a weapon. I think if I hadn’t been so exhausted from all the chores everyday, I would have had trouble sleeping. I got used to being alone after a few nights, but I still didn’t like it.

INT: The book couldn’t possibly have captured the terror you experienced when Lone Eagle collapsed in front of you. Tell us how that felt.

CECILE: My heart leapt clear up here *clasping throat*. You understand, I’d never seen an Indian before and I expected to look up into the face of my beloved husband. I thought for sure I was going to die, but Lone Eagle fell in a heap at my feet. Lordy, my heart raced... all those stories I'd heard about scalping and such.

INT: So, of course, being a good person, you did the right thing and nursed him back to health…

CECILE: Of course. I don’t think I could have lived with myself if I’d just let him die. In the end it turned out well for me, but I don’t want to divulge too much to those who haven’t read Destiny's Bride   I would like to address one person's concern about me leaving my home without searching for my husband.  You have to remember, I didn't have any idea where I was or how to get back to Silver City.  I could have either stayed and died of hunger or cold, so I elected what was best for me and the baby I presumed I expected.  You might say we saved one another.

INT: I think you did.  As for your decision, things we so much different in those days.  It's not like you had a car and could drive around looking for Walt. *chuckles*

CECILE:  Car?  What's that?  *Raises brow*

INT: It's a long story.  I'll have to explain after the interview...so without asking questions that reveal the novel's outcome to the readers, I’ll just inquire what life was like in 1867.

CECILE: Oh goodness. *shuddering*. There was a wagon load of difference between my life in Silver City and moving to the prairie with Walt. In town, we bought everything we needed from the mercantile. Mother baked once in a while and cooked delicious meals, but we never had to put up our own vegetables. I was flabbergasted when Walt talked about the garden and the tomatoes, corn and other things we’d grow. I sure never expected that I’d be outside hammering nails in a dilapidated old barn, let alone milking a cow. I think the most frightening experience at first was that darned rooster. Who would have thought that something so small could terrify a body like he did?

INT: *glances at watch* Well, I see we’re out of time, but I truly want to thank you for being our guest. I'm sure that fearing your husband dead, watching an Indian drop at your feet and having to make the difficult decisions you face presented some difficult challenges.  Destiny's Bride was certainly was a page turner for me. Can we look forward to a sequel?

CECILE: Well, as you know, Destiny's Bride is a re-release of Ginger’s 2003 debut novel with another publisher. She’s really improved how the story flows, and I can only hint that you might visit her website to see if anything looks like a continuation of the story. You can find her at http://www.gingersimpson.com and I can give you a hint. Remember Lone Eagle is Lakota Sioux.   I think the title has something to do with the color of skin and heart.  *giggles*

INT: Thanks again, Cecile. This has been fun. Hopefully your fans will Amazon and purchase their own copy of Destiny's Bride.  I believe all her books are on an author's page:  http://www.amazon.com/author/gingersimpson

CECILE: One can only hope readers found this interesting. I know Ginger needs liposuction on her hips and a neck lift, and that's just the emergency necessities.  Poor dear, growing old has its own challenges and every purchase helps with the expense.   Thanks for inviting me to visit with you…  Oh, and Ginger also has a western blog at http://cowboykisses.blogspot.com.  Now...can you tell me about that thing you called a car?