Often times writers are told to go people-watch for character inspiration. This is certainly all well and good if your senses are allowed to wander about the town, in the library, at the pub, and so on.
And then, there’s parenthood.
(Yes, both Biff and Bash are missing their top two front teeth. God has a sense of humor.)
I thought for sure a trip to the North Woods would give me at least some opportunity to catch a few interesting characters. After all, this is the land of the columned white arrow signs. You better keep your eyes open for these, or you’ll never know where stuff is.
This is the land of quiet waters, of river-kissing mists departing with dawn’s light.
Of eagle homes hidden among the oaks and evergreens.
Unfortunately, the only eagle we spotted all week was this one:
Still, the kids were all able to find their special little somethings. Blondie found snail shells.
Bash found his grumps.
Biff found his chainsaws.
No, he didn’t grab one (this time). Bo was able to keep the kids a safe distance away from the carving demonstrations at the Paul Bunyan festival.
I’m not sure what was so Paul Bunyany about it–there was no blue ox, no giant lumberjacks. Plenty of beer and football signs, though. Nothing says Wisconsin like sports and alcohol!
Surely a festival drawing in a wide range of tourists and locals would provide SOME opportunity for characters, right? Bo knew I wanted to walk around with my camera, so he took advantage of the chainsaws and stuffed the kids with chocolate-covered graham crackers so I could take a quick look around.
I did spot one crazy individual. Honestly, who dares wear Chicago Bears gear in Packer territory? This woman’s lucky she didn’t get a cow pie thrown at her back.
Biff notices my absence all too soon, and jumps over to my side of the street. Despite the lumberjack quartet trying to strum banjos and harmonies, Biff belts the theme to “Ghostbusters” at the top of his lungs and dances down the walkway. I hold up my phone to take a video of him singing, but then…oh, but then…
Who in Sam Elliot is THIS? An older man–70s, I’ll say. Jeans and flannel despite summer warmth. Cowboy hat. Glasses, mustache. Baby carrier. Dog. A wide-eyed, scared-stiff, shaky little dog. In the baby carrier.
Character. FOUND.
So don’t fret if you can’t get out much, writers, or you’re not able to let your eyes wander. Sometimes it’s when our focus is distracted from the hunt that we find what we’re hunting for, and then some.
Speaking of hunting, if you’re looking for a wicked read to welcome Autumn, then I do hope you’ll check out my debut dark fantasy YA novel, Fallen Princeborn: Stolen.
In rural Wisconsin, an old stone wall is all that separates the world of magic from the world of man—a wall that keeps the shifters inside. When something gets out, people disappear. Completely.
Escaping from an abusive uncle, eighteen-year-old Charlotte is running away with her younger sister Anna. Together they board a bus. Little do they know that they’re bound for River Vine—a shrouded hinterland where dark magic devours and ancient shapeshifters feed, and where the seed of love sets root among the ashes of the dying.
You can snatch up a paperback on Amazon today! If you’ve got an e-reader, the online edition can be FREE via Kindle Unlimited, too.
Read on, share on, and write on, my friends!
Jean Lee's World 
We have someone around here who takes their cats for a walk in a baby stroller.
Sent from my iPad
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Oh heavens. Does she dress them up, too?
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Not that I’ve seen.
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Yet. 😉
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Nothing says Wisconsin like sports and alcohol—and cheese curds.
Glad you found a character—dog and all.
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Oh yes! I had a delicious heap of them on the drive up. 🙂
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‘Biff found his chainsaws’ – best line of the year.
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Thanks! I’m rather pleased with it, m’self. 🙂
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Lovely post Jean, gosh your wee ones are getting big!
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I know! Blondie’s almost as tall as my sister-in-law already, and the kid’s not even in double-digits. The boys have grown so so much, and I love how much more their unique personalities shine (or grump) on their faces. 🙂
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I know. I can’t get over how much they’ve suddenly grown. xxxxx
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I want that carving!
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Beautiful writing. And beautiful family. I love the grumps. Yes, it is the same in upstate New York when were there. Beer and cheese curds. Here in California, more like wine and cinnamon sticks. 🙏😂
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LOL! Oddly enough, we love our North Woods Wisconsin wine from Three Lakes Winery. They have some very delectable cranberry wines as well as blackberry and elderberry. So bummed they stopped producing the plum wine!
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I love those pics of the children, Jean. And what a lovely character you discovered:)). As ever, a lovely article that weaves your family life in with your writing.
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Thanks, Friend! I owe you a response on your email, by the by. It’ll be a bit longer–our house flooded shortly after we returned home.
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Oh no! How horrible. Hope you manage to dry everything out and the damage wasn’t too extensive:((. No worries – when you can…Hugsx
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Thank you. More rain’s coming over the next five days. Not gonna lie–kind of scared.
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I’ll keep my fingers crossed that you stay dry. Hugsx
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Thanks!
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Wow, what a visit, and how on earth do you make sense of all those potential destinations? I’d have problems with so many choices. That sign-post looks like it was inspired by one of those old cartoons – Imagine the fun Bugs Bunny would have with it.
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I know, right? Yet that’s how so many signs are set up. Bo and I were trying to figure out the “boundary,” as it were, to mark where these signs start getting used in Wisconsin. We can’t quite pinpoint it yet. 🙂
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Sounds like the genesis of another story…
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It does… 🙂
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Oh my- I’m not sure puppies are built for those…or those are built for puppies… but what a unique character, even among all the unique characters of Northern WI!
Question. Is it ok to make a copy of just that little graphic at the bottom to share on fb or elsewhere for your upcoming launch? I can’t believe how fast September is coming- ack!
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Yes, please do!
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Fantastic character development there. Poor little dog. ;0)
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I know, right? There were plenty of pets on leashes without worry…well, and one lady with her cats in a stroller, but she moved to quickly for my camera. 🙂
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😂😂😂
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Lucky day! But I would count that Chicago Bears woman too 🙂
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Hee hee! Yes, she did have quite the grimace on her face now and again. I just wish I could have gotten a shot of the lady with cats in a stroller…
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Her boldness is remarkable 🙂 The cat lady would be a great catch too.
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I know! So bummed I couldn’t snag her.
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Great tips, isolations and descriptions.
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Thank you!
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