I’m opening my blog post with a quote from the Hollywood cinema.
"All great writers begin with a good leather binder and a respectable title," Johnny Depp (speaking as J.M. Berrie) said to Peter in the film "Finding Neverland".
When I teach workshops, or am a guest speaker at local literary events, I am asked, "Have you ever met a real-life character?
I often 'freelance' when I am working on a novel for better insight into a character, to learn a particular skill or obtain inside knowledge (slang, general impressions, etc.) that only someone living that life-style would know. Sometimes all it takes is a conversation with the owner of a small-town Nebraska cafe. I praised her Cheese, Corn, and Beer Chowder, and I’m ushered into her kitchen where a family recipe is divulged, or local gossip is shared.
Facilitating a workshop for Native American students, the skills and secrets of working as a stunt person movies and action shows are divulged. (I also was able to land my first ‘knock-out punch!) While on fund-raising committee, I was seated beside a woman who completed a humanitarian visit to Romania. It was wonderful to learn of the great strides in recovery the country has made (Dr. Kathleen Kinley was my inspiration for Sister Kathleen in “Tanayia—Whisper upon the Water”.
Living in SoCal, and due to the nature of my work, I encounter actors, writers, public speakers, and others involved in the entertainment industry. However, the person who was 'bigger than life' was not someone involved in the entertainment industry. This person is someone who provided inspiration for the Lynx Maddox, the hero in the first book of my Rodeo Romance Series, titled “Lynx”.
I wasn’t attending a rodeo, when I met my inspiration for my rodeo bull-riding cowboy.
Trained by the “House of Versailles” at the Hotel Del Coronado in San Diego, CA, I was employed as an 'appointment only' fragrance consultant at perfumery. I was setting up for my next consultation: Ph wand, atomizers, testers arranged by fragrance families, fresh cotton balls, soothing instrumental music.
Enter: one cowboy.
From outward appearances he was of average height, a bit on the lean side and well-toned, dark-haired, green-eyed, early-to-mid thirties; just an average man. However, there was an unmistakable 'aura' of energy when he entered the room. His drawl resonated; his expressions were intense (but not threatening): a lifted eyebrow, a smile pulling teasing the corner of his mouth. After a couple of minutes, I discovered he wasn't average at all--I'm not talking about wealth, personal fashion sense, or anything tangible--he just claimed all your attention my simply occupying space. I found this completely amazing. I have since dubbed this the ‘charisma gene’—actors, politicians, musicians, and those in the healing professions, often have this charisma.
The walls of the shop displayed hand-blown art-glass, atomizers, vases, and antique art deco pieces. Crystal reflecting in the mirrored walls, catching the rainbow of colors of the art-glass.
This was a world a cowboy didn’t frequent. A world a cowboy would avoid.
Yet, this cowboy smiled, selected a delicate purse atomizer, a bottle of Eau de parfum Chanel No. 5 and a custom gift wrap.
Confident. Certain. A personality like force of nature.
This is my real-life character who inspired Lynx Maddox.
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Connie Vines
Love that real life inspiration! Sounds like you're having great fun before you even start writing talking and gathering information for you book.
ReplyDeleteYes, there are some people who are larger than life when you meet them. They are hard to forget. Cool that you met one.
ReplyDeleteI have written about bull riders too, but never met one. I've attended PBR events. They have to be confident to get on the back of those big bulls! Need to read your book!
ReplyDeleteSo cool to meet such fascinating characters.
ReplyDeleteYour cowboy encounter sounds fun! No wonder why you based a character off of him.
ReplyDeleteI love talking to people from all walks of life. Not only are the conversations fascinating, but you never know what they will inspire.
Nice! Confidence is very sexy. I had a similar event happen while I was grocery shopping. There is something about a cowboy. Thanks for sharing! And I sure want to read about Lynx!
ReplyDeleteEnjoyed your post, Connie. I seem to attract people who want to talk to me and often tell me their problems and sometimes their entire life stories. I've met some amazing people that way.
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