I didn’t know that Silvia was going to decide to pursue a career as an art teacher; or that Donna was going to change her mind about the family reunion; or that Cosmo was going to do a magic trick for Isabella at the party. Ā In writingĀ Discovery of an Eagle, I’ve also had many surprises. Ā I am proud of myself for making characters that are so alive that they can do things and make decisions without me dictating their actions and thought processes. Ā But there is something much greater than a sense of pride that I feel when a character catches me off guard. Ā I feel like some sort of divine energy is coming through me. Ā I experience this same sensation when I get a good line of dialogue or description in my head. Ā These experiences remind me of a story that I wrote when I was ten years old that was calledĀ The Magic Pen. Ā In this story, the main character had a pen that, when used, would create stories as if by magic. Ā And indeed this sort of divine experience is magical.

 

This post is from my blog series, ā€œTips for Writing Fiction.ā€ Be sure to check out myĀ Greco Family Trilogy books, which includeĀ Olive Branches Donā€™t Grow on Trees, Discovery of an Eagle, and The Bird that Sang in Color. These books are available from all major online book sellers, including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Apple Books.