Dear Friend,
If you remember back to your very early childhood, you learned the world by playing. Mastering small-motor coordination, your fingers learned to manipulate little objects, whether they were pieces of food (Cheerios comes to mind), or puzzle pieces (big, wooden pieces to start). As you became more proficient, you learned to hold a spoon, to scoop, or a fork, to spear items.
I remember when my son was especially playful. He knew I enjoyed taking pictures of him, especially when he was messy. While eating a bowl with meatballs and spaghetti, he became very messy. He looked adorable. I told him I’d be right back and grabbed my camera.
By the time I returned, he had smooshed more sauce around his mouth, covering himself with the gooey red sauce. I snapped a picture. He was gleeful! He had staged the shot, knowing I enjoyed seeing his face covered with goop.
What I realized was the evidence of his learning progressing, bit my bit. As I cleaned up his messy face, I laughed. He laughed, too. An unfettered, gleeful laugh that conveyed his enjoyment of what he’d learned: It was okay to play and make a mess. Later on, he’d also learn to clean up his own mess. But armed with extra-strength detergent and baking soda, I cleaned him, his shirt and bib, and the table. I didn’t mind. It was fun.
Today, he enjoys photography and has retained much of his playful attitude, while providing a serious service for his business clients.
We can all retain our playful inner child. For me, that was the discovery that, despite my parent, who forbade me to read romance novels, I could enjoy them and become a bestselling romance writer.
My characters, even the most serious of them, all retain a playful attitude. Their marriages and love lives benefit from the playful approach. I laugh and enjoy the scenes I write, seeing through my characters’ eyes the joy and fun they are experiencing!
If you want to experience the fun of my characters in the Louisa’s Vineyard Series, start with Louisa’s Passion, Book 1, but The Greatest Thing, Book 4, even offers evidence of fun on its cover! (You’ll need to read the book to understand why Louisa’s grinning, sitting in the rowboat.)
UPDATE on RANDY’S DILEMMA:
Hurrah! I’m working on the Epilogue, which has lots of playful elements. Randy’s the personification of playful. And, with the progress I’m making, I can foresee Randy’s Dilemma being available in online sources (both digital and paperback) in November. I know I promised October, but I am absolutely sure I’ll have it wonderful, readable, and easy on the eyes in time for your holiday gift-giving or your own reading.
My dilemma in completing the book was that I knew what I wanted to include, but the characters weren’t cooperating. They wanted to tell more of their stories, and I had certain life milestones to write about before I could accomplish that.
Hang in there! “Randy” will be available soon. The cover’s almost ready, I completed the main story, but it needs review, editing, etc. The Epilogue will be completed today! The Super Bonus Epilogue is “in development.” Randy’s worth waiting for!
PS If you’d like to share a playful incident you remember from your life, please do! Just send it to me at: Shelley@ShelleySommers.com
I will read it and possibly include it in a future book. (And give you mention in acknowledgements.)
Be playful, enjoy your reading, and remember to laugh!
Hugs,
Shelley
