Go Visit Your Fairygodmother-I Did

For some time now I have wanted to write a Christmas story combining the fictional and the real. Recently I came upon the idea of writing the story of Saint Nikolas who just happens to have both the fictional and real going for him. I needed a little help with the story and decided to have a visit with my fairy godmother. That's her stage right. Where does one find one's fairy godmother? Well, you can try scrubbing floors for a living. I did that for many years during the college days. Or you can go to a Powell's author reading. I like floors and feel that no building should go without them. However, I enjoyed the reading much more.

My fairy godmother, one Carolyn Turgeon, has just published a book entitled Godmother. My FB friends can go to her Face Book "Godmother-The-Secret-Cinderella-Story" page. So what's this have to do with creativity?

Sometimes even the most creative types need to cross pollinate. Every experience, every day, in every place serves as grist for the writing mill. You can get inspiration at the park or the shopping mall or even with a writer on tour. Since I have this Saint Nikolas idea, I thought it might prove beneficial to hear from someone who has recently enhanced a standard tale.

Publishers expect writers to make tours. Writers make tours because tours sell books. News flash--not all writers like public speaking. I have not done a book tour yet. I yearn for the day. However, I think it could prove scary. Think about it. In a single day you might address a radio audience of millions, speak at a writer's conference to hundreds of eager writers with not-so-easy-to-answer questions, go to a local book signing, visit a book critique group, teach a college English class, or read to kids in a library.

We writers spend a good deal of time alone. I write much in public places, but I write alone. We keep our own company with our little fictional friends and our writing voice running through our creative little heads. We get used to it which means that we get out of practice with the public thing. Carolyn approached the podium shyly. She briefly explained her book with a nervous smile. Dare I say, "It was cute." Then she started to read. The cuteness slid away as did Carolyn. I could tell that she had reentered the world of her book. She grew animated and mesmerized by her own writing. She loved the words, and so did I.

Carolyn has studied Victorian poetry. I could tell. Her writing had a lilt and a fresh imagery that you learn writing poetry. I have written much poetry lately and wondered about its value and impact on my writing. I could see the effect in her writing. The imagery engaged me. It drew me into the story. You know how some movies just throw sex in when the movie is about farm trucks in Pennsylvania. Other movies it may actually fit into the storyline; at least, you can kinda see it. Imagery can feel the same way. With some authors I skip past lengthy descriptions because I want to get on with the story. I felt no inclination to skip Ms. Turgeon's descriptions. She captures the music.

It came time for questions. I hate to dominate a group. I guess I have writer's syndrome too now that I think of it, but I raised my hand. I asked her how she came up with the idea of writing the story from the standpoint of a jealous fairy godmother. She asked for more questions. I had many more but hesitated. Carolyn stopped. I bought her book and then asked two or three more shop-talk questions. She solved a problem for me in the Saint Nikolas book.

So what's the point Rollie? If you don't feel creative today, go visit your fairy godmother. See Powell's website for author readings or the Oregonian or the Willamette Weekly. It will inspire you, and it feels all authorly if you know what I mean.