“The North Wind doth blow, and we shall have snow. And, what will the robin do then, poor thing? He’ll sit in the barn to keep himself warm, and hide his head under his wing, poor thing.”
Yesterday I saw two robins. It is far too early! Robins came back too early last year too. Why do they do that? I’m afraid they, being carnivorous, won’t find many bugs and worms. Insects with any sense at all are still way down in the earth where it just may be warmer than here on top. We still have quite a bit of patchy snow and since we have the rest of February and March to go yet, more snow is a distinct possibility. Barns are kind of scarce around here, although there are a few here and there. Maybe there’s some sense to that old rhyme. If barns have dirt floors, will there be worms under them? Is that why the poor robin sits in the barn? Hmm.
The streets are clear of snow now and five Cozy Critters, lacking a barn to sit in, sat around my old cherry wood table yesterday. We kept ourselves warm with coffee, hot chocolate and the occasional cupcake or cookie. Oh! And lots of conversation and laughter. That probably did more to warm us than anything else. It was good to have Jane recovered and back with us. Peg, Nancy, Helen and I rounded out the group. We looked at the different cover pictures Nancy has in mind for her up-coming book, read the new devotional that Helen has in The Secret Place, gave suggestions on her inspirational writings, and heard Jane read a really inspired article that made us all feel warmer, for sure. Peg always has great insight on what constitutes a good read and her suggestions are right on the money. And, I read the back story to Moonlight Can Be Murder as well as the first chapter. It’s amazing that when I write, I can’t see the possible questions readers might have, things that are not clear, but when my critiquers point them out, I see them plainly. I’m grateful for their help.
I don’t know about other writers of fiction, but sometimes my characters just won’t behave themselves! They say something that is completely–well–completely out of character, or they mutter under their breath in contradiction to what I planned for them to say. What do I do with a character like that, a make-believe person who has a mind of his own? First, I ask why he or she said it. Then, I look back at the rest of the story. If I change the plot so that the dialogue (or monologue) doesn’t contradict, does it sound better than what I planned in the first place? Maybe the character is trying to tell me something important. Perhaps the story would sound better his way.
Anyway, writing is a growing process. It’s fun. It’s educational and it is hard work!!
If any robins are out and about this morning, I hope they beware of the gray cat prowling across neighbors’ yards. Perhaps that’s another sign of waning winter. The cat has left his warm bed and gotten out to see what’s going on in the wintertime world of Northwest Arkansas. Whether you live in an area of snow or warm weather, I hope you have happy times today, and try to find a few minutes to sit down, put your feet up, and read a good book.
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