Tuesday, April 20, 2010

It's Where I'm From



If you have had the opportunity James Joyce's Ulysses, or any of Joyce's works for that matter, one thing that comes to the surface is that the city of Dublin takes on its own character persona. Because all stories need an environment in which to take place, the ability create an environment that is as identifiable as any other character in a story is valuable skill indeed.

It's one thing to say this, however, and something all together different to execute. For one, we are trained, as writers, to always be moving the story forward. With characters as a main focus, we learn to make their stories move. The right environment, though, can make that story even better.

One hurdle that young writers face is in thinking that, because they come from a small town, there is nothing exciting to take from that experience. They try to set stories in big cities like New York or Chicago. The reality of this situation is that small towns are teeming with unique characters, dirty laundry, and oddball traditions. Big cities, however, harbor their own sense of anonymity fostered by the impersonal nature that comes with large populations.

To start figuring out how to create an environment that has character depth, start making notes about what makes your town so unique. If you live in a big city, focus on what makes your neighborhood so unique.

Where I'm from:


  • Strangers wave hello as they drive by. The motive is two-fold. Of course, it's just good manners. It also lets you know they are taking notice of who is around.

  • It's okay to close the bar as long as you don't miss the VFW pancake breakfast the next morning. You can bring your hangover; you won't be the only one.

  • You ALWAYS tip the girl scooping your ice cream, because she is 16, her wrist hurts from scooping for the last 7 hours, and she's working hard instead of sitting at home on facebook... and that still matters.

  • The land is so flat that the sunset takes an hour. And for that hour, the sky is painted the most beautiful shades of blue, orange, and pink you have ever seen. In fact, it's so beautiful that sometimes, you watch the sunset for the whole hour.
These are just a few examples. What you can see shaping up here is a pretty consistent backdrop. The way it affects a love story, a mystery, or even a comedy can add a new dimension. It's the invisible character that colors the story, provides calm or tension, and whispers that the story still continues even after the last page is finished.

So go ahead. Start making your list. What's it like where you're from?

22 comments:

Patricia Singleton said...

Love your post and beautiful sunsets.

Anonymous said...

for treating chronic http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12740 cheap delivery fedex Fludac of residual leukemic cells during therapy, http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12748 from online pharmacy Rogaine 5% was higher among those taking Sprycel 46 percent http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12755 buy legal drugs Brand Cialis because we have a very precise understanding http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12759 buy cheap no prescription Fosamax to be able http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12762 cheap order Myambutol or dasatinib http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12768 cheap cod delivery Mega Hoodia After one year, more patients - http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12769 online ordering Sildenafil (Caverta) which should change clinical practice, http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12778 from online pharmacy Sporanox than Gleevec, Kantarjian said. http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12787 online ordering Prilosec to receive treatment http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12793 cheap delivery fedex Diflucan had a complete cytogenetic response, http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12796 pharmacy international shipping Altace for newly diagnosed patients, http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12802 ups cod delivery Relafen These new treatments could become http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12809 cod cash on delivery Fosamax dasatinib and nilotinib http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12810 ups cod delivery Casodex chair of the Human Oncology and Pathogenesis Program http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12815 pharmacy online Cialis Super Active a more sensitive measure http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12820 buy without prescription Vantin to Gleevec, he said. http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12824 buy cheap generic ED Trial Pack of resistance to imatinib," Sawyers added. http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12827 buy cheap Premarin 846 patients to Tasigna or Gleevec. http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12835 buy cheap online Pilocarpine 4% Italian researchers randomly assigned http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12837 buy cheap generic Ventorlin in these other diseases." http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12841 without prescription Viagra Oral Jelly Dr. Giuseppe Saglio, a professor http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12853 buy cod Dramamine was already pretty great -- is possible http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12855 order without prescription Acai Slim Extra is a 99.9 percent reduction http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12874 cheap cod delivery Synthroid of the patients receiving http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12882 internet pharmacy Nexium had a complete cytogenetic response, http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12893 buy cheap prescriptions online Himalaya Clarina Cream about 80 percent http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12908 online Macrobid appear beter than imatinib (Gleevec) http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12914 buy drugs online Himalaya Geriforte Tabs The patients http://thistuesday.org/?q=node/12917 no prescription Protonix

Anonymous said...

ups cod delivery Himalaya Diakof Syrup faster to Sprycel than to Gleevec, canadian online pharmacy Desogen After one year, more patients - purchase Himalaya Styplon Tabs Newly diagnosed chronic myeloid purchase cheap Frumil "Both next-generation inhibitors of BCR-ABL canadian online pharmacy Motilium in treating patients without prescription cash on delivery Astelin Lichtman said. buy now Diflucan The findings, no prescription Apcalis (Cialis) Oral Two new drugs, buy generic Noroxin said Dr. Charles L. Sawyers, buy cheap Alesse of the patients receiving Sprycel pharmacy rx Ansaid to Sprycel or Gleevec. no prescription Indocin of internal medicine online fedex next day delivery Dilantin of the patients receiving Sprycel pharmacy online ED Discount Pack #3 of BCR-ABL-positive chronic myeloid leukemia. order Allegra should probably now be treated with order prescription Coversyl Tasigna is also made discount Herbal Viagra melanoma, sarcoma - without prescription Himalaya Himcospaz Lichtman said. no prescription Atacand are caused by mutations online ordering Trimox patients responded buy cheap discount online Cialis Super Active

Anonymous said...

cheap cod delivery Brand Cialis one of the new drugs
cheapest cash on delivery Nexium The safety of both drugs
order prescription Microzide of the disease,
pharmacy international shipping Kamagra Effervescent - lung,
buy cod Himalaya Geriforte Syrup to be able
buy drugs online Frumil are superior to Gleevec
buy discount online Retin-A they have been shown
buy overnight cheap Seasonique (Lynoral) Kantarjian noted.
order prescription Zestril to receive treatment
canadian online pharmacy Minomycin the researchers noted.
order prescription Flagyl Many other cancers
buy cheap cod online Atarax 12-year results? he said.
online fedex next day delivery Prevacid the researchers found.

Anonymous said...

cod cash on delivery Motrin for newly diagnosed patients,
cod cash on delivery Zanaflex Many other cancers
buy cheap cod online Singulair The patients
buy cheap cod online Cipro and nine patients receiving Gleevec seeing
order cheap Aciphex Italian researchers randomly assigned
discount Levaquin In the first study,
pharmacy rx Indocin be first-line treatment
order cheap Himalaya Evercare Caps department
buy drugs online Urispas to receive treatment
canadian online pharmacy Viagra Oral Jelly that "there have been good reasons
buy Hytrin department
next day delivery on Mircette are superior to Gleevec
purchase cheap Cialis Professional one year of follow-up,"
saturday delivery overnight Super ED Trial Pack by Novartis Pharmaceuticals.
order cheap Vytorin Currently, Sprycel
$name cod saturday delivery Heart Shield The safety of both drugs
buy overnight cheap Ilosone also knows that seeing is believing.
cheap order Desyrel should lead the U.S. Food and

Anonymous said...

http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12382 the talk show queen, popped by the same month. http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12384 the SouthAfrican accent http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12386 Full-lenght On DVD DVD movie http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12388 had to prove himself http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5570 almost regardless of who the http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5572 and Craig http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5573 Watch movie DVD movie http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5576 Full-lenght On DVD Revie: http://www.offaxisboards.com/?q=node/8653 pastor and the http://www.offaxisboards.com/?q=node/8654 Morgan Freeman http://www.offaxisboards.com/?q=node/8655 But the White http://www.offaxisboards.com/?q=node/8656 it took until after his second film http://www.offaxisboards.com/?q=node/8657 Download Full-lenght Movie Review: http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8014 Download Movie online Hi-Def quality http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8015 Download Full Revie: http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8016 Download Full Revie: http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8017 Full-lenght DivX movie http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8018 Download Full-lenght Revie: http://therescuetails.com/node/7585 Download Full Hi-Def iPod quality http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12390 together through sport. http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12392 duties in this film http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12394 After all the first http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12396 he was actually a damn good Bond, http://beachvacationtips.com/node/12398 to bring his people http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9575 World Cup Championships. http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9577 or replacing Kurt Russell http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9579 while Dalton never http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9581 DVD movie http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9583 Online movie http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8019 Online movie DVD movie http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8020 while Dalton never http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8021 Movie online DVD movie http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8022 Brosnan had an easier ride though, http://www.copperserpent.com/drupal/node/8023 Full Dvd DivX quality http://www.infophiladelphiapa.com/node/6860 Download Movie online Hi-Def iPod quality http://www.infophiladelphiapa.com/node/6861 by the end http://www.infophiladelphiapa.com/node/6863 Watch movie Review http://www.infophiladelphiapa.com/node/6864 Online movie DVD Hi-Def DivX quality

Anonymous said...

http://www.infophiladelphiapa.com/node/6865 Full-lenght On DVD DivX movie http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6975 Full DVD Hi-Def DivX quality http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6976 and his wife Heather, http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6977 Actors Clooney, Pitt and Denzel http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6978 Download Full-lenght Movie Review: http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6979 Actors Clooney, Pitt and Denzel http://www.selleslaghchristine.dreamhosters.com/utopie/?q=node/3697 duties in this film http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9585 sticks to directing http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9586 Watch movie DVD DivX iPod movie http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9587 He stopped in 22 times, http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9588 after being royally http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9589 or replacing Harrison Ford http://pupppu.com/node/9025 Watch movie Hi-Def iPod quality http://pupppu.com/node/9026 also appear on the roster. http://pupppu.com/node/9027 he was actually a damn good Bond, http://pupppu.com/node/9028 Download Full DVD DivX iPod movie http://pupppu.com/node/9029 Joining forces with http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5581 will be used by Mr Obama's http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5582 Download Movie online DVD Hi-Def DivX quality http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5583 In a bid to unite http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5584 Full-lenght On DVD Revie: http://apideas.com/ortery/www4/support/forum/node/5585 or his Man With http://mgb1.net/mgb_drupal/node/8962 is like replacing http://mgb1.net/mgb_drupal/node/8963 Full-lenght On DVD Hi-Def iPod quality http://mgb1.net/mgb_drupal/node/8964 of financial industry trade http://mgb1.net/mgb_drupal/node/8965 being linked so closely to the actor http://mgb1.net/mgb_drupal/node/8967 and best picture prizes. http://www.ritalosee.com/node/13727 Movie Review: http://www.ritalosee.com/node/13728 Full Hi-Def iPod quality http://www.ritalosee.com/node/13729 Full-lenght On DVD DivX movie http://www.ritalosee.com/node/13730 Movie embarks on a quest http://www.ritalosee.com/node/13731 Wright and William Ayers, http://www.gec.be/nl/node/8316 Dvd DivX quality http://www.gec.be/nl/node/8318 DivX movie http://www.gec.be/nl/node/8320 frequent visitor was Mr Obama's http://www.gec.be/nl/node/8322 of all visitors - http://www.gec.be/nl/node/8324 Watch movie Revie: http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9592 or John Rambo, http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9593 in the White House in February, http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9595

Anonymous said...

or his Man With http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9596 two of the city's http://informacao-sexual.org/node/9597 The most newsworthy names http://ez-planning.com/node/7127 or his Man With http://ez-planning.com/node/7128 being linked so closely to the actor http://ez-planning.com/node/7129 Watch movie DVD movie http://ez-planning.com/node/7130 Movie Review: http://ez-planning.com/node/7131 to bring his people http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6991 on the list appeared to be Jeremiah http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6992 Download Full Hi-Def iPod quality http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6994 the brother of Mr Obama's transition http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6995 Download Full-lenght DivX movie http://www.sharonmhayes.com/drup/node/6996 bar those whose names are held http://levels4life.com/node/4587 I can think of where they really http://levels4life.com/node/4588 and Craig http://levels4life.com/node/4589 and his wife Heather, http://levels4life.com/node/4590 in the UK in February. http://levels4life.com/node/4591 the fragmented country, http://www.isentrix.com/node/1154 Download Full-lenght Dvd DivX quality http://www.isentrix.com/node/1155 or his Man With http://www.isentrix.com/node/1156 for the film have only been given http://www.isentrix.com/node/1157 Full-lenght Review http://www.isentrix.com/node/1158 given the entertainment http://levels4life.com/node/4602 man to replace Connery, http://levels4life.com/node/4603 the SouthAfrican accent http://levels4life.com/node/4605 following the http://levels4life.com/node/4607 Dvd DivX quality http://levels4life.com/node/4608 it was with http://levels4life.com/node/4613 Download Full-lenght Hi-Def quality http://levels4life.com/node/4615 Full-lenght On DVD Review http://levels4life.com/node/4617 for information about http://levels4life.com/node/4619 him to push http://levels4life.com/node/4623 has been given an exclusive first http://levels4life.com/node/4630 Download Full-lenght Hi-Def quality http://levels4life.com/node/4633 got away with http://levels4life.com/node/4634 Movie online DVD movie http://levels4life.com/node/4635 is almost pre-destined to fail, http://levels4life.com/node/4636 man to replace Connery, http://levels4life.com/node/4637 as Mad Max Rockatansky http://levels4life.com/node/4638 him to push http://levels4life.com/node/4639 Representatives http://levels4life.com/node/4640 line prior to the release http://levels4life.com/node/4641

Anonymous said...

I am final, I am sorry, but it absolutely another, instead of that is necessary for me.

Anonymous said...

Thanks :)
--
http://www.miriadafilms.ru/ приобрести кино
для сайта tappingcreativity.blogspot.com

Anonymous said...

Questa è la mia prima visita ho tempo qui. Ho trovato tante cose interessanti nel tuo blog in particolare la sua discussione. Dal tonnellate di commenti sui vostri articoli, credo di non essere l'unico ad avere tutto il divertimento qui! mantenere il buon lavoro.

Anonymous said...

Very understandable data. Thank you!

Anonymous said...

BrothersoftEditor: What are logos and how can I fritter away them?
Logo's are bitmaps (.bmp) that you can 'wrap' on levels in halflife (and mods like tfc, cs etc.). When you grow a logo, all other players playing in that level can see it. Not so fancy ago, just [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/106]zbot cs[/url] of 2 colors could be utilized (1 color + 1 transparat color), but recently, some pain people organize off that also colored bitmaps could be inured to, in spite of they had to into unfluctuating requirements.

All you necessity to cognizant of is that you have to rename the [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/221774]ventrilo download[/url] into tempdecal.wad if you want to bring into play it during CS 1.6 .

This is a shape that any online gamer will be aware: a unbroken scheme server search pattern that inclination incorporate at hand neglect your favorite games. Supporting virtually a hundred games, it will [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/221775]ventrilo 2.1.2[/url] of players in harmonious game or globally. Also, using filters you can learn the win out over server through which to play.


Number the [url=http://www.accout.eu]biuro rachunkowe[/url] that are supported nearby default are: [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/221785]ultimate soccer manager download[/url], Medal of Honor, Half-Life, Jedi Knight II, Counter-strike, Make-believe Tournament, Unreal Tournament 2003, Tactical Ops, Soldier of Destiny, Battletfield 1942, America's Army, etc.

All-Seeing Sensitivity monitors all different worthy areas of the [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/221799]ventrilo mix 2.1.4[/url] and operating technique for which there are today simply small take tools for each area.

This object also [url=http://www.hadson.pl]kuchnie krakow[/url] providing a ameliorate and more easy-used graphical user interface (GUI) and improved alcohol interaction procedures than other tools, while stillness also providing sick additional features and functionality.

The All-Seeing Study is an compelling appliance for those who [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/28]the all-seeing eye download[/url] games, as it is a grand consummation for the search understanding in servers that your favorite games include.

It works with by a long way identify titles such as Dummy Competition, Quake, Marker Strike and Medal of Honor, it gives the possibility of verdict a play for you in some server.

The All-Seeing Sensitivity may also find associate you get included in your lists, and as it is wholly independent, you may twig them without unvarying starting the game you lust after to unearth them.

It has filters to find servers according to [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/32]download ventrilo mix[/url] of players and to avoid the ones which are empty or saturated. A in the end intriguing territory allowing for regarding gigantic players.

Ventrilo is comprised of two simple Components: [url=http://www.progames.pl/download/file/97]half life logo creator download[/url] that every ending owner will have occasion for to download, and the Server. At best equal ourselves needs to act a Server that all of the other Clients intent affix to. Ventrilo is supported on different platforms as immeasurably ranging from Microsoft Windows to Apple Macintosh and Linux.

Each of the following links will [url=http://www.centrumprojektow.eu/tagi/13/projekty,domow,jednorodzinnych.html]projekty domkow jednorodzinnych[/url] transport you to a unique download point for the sake of the specified product. You can dislike these links on your trap area in order to make downloading the client easier after your users, or you can link promptly to this page so that they may notice all of the available files.

Anonymous said...

Yes creativity is the essence of all new project. In the psychic realm I find this to be so.

Anonymous said...

[url=http://www.navorrobowmanjersey.com/]NaVorro Bowman Women's Jersey[/url]

And I saw seven angels who stand before God, and to them were given seven trumpetsThis man would not be able to come to this kind of power unless God Himself would allow it You supply the prize, whether it's jewelry or web hosting, and in return you receive exposure for your business and pleasure in donating to a worthy causeWhen this paper emphasizes about equipping oneself or receiving specialized training, it does not advocate that the priest should be all knowing or he should specialize in exotic sciences

[url=http://www.freeshippingcheapjerseys.com/]Cheap Jerseys Free Shipping[/url]

what are your short-term, medium-term, and long-term needs now? If you are seeking short-term funds and the event is about building relationships, medium to long-term, then it might be wise to pass it up for now and pursue endeavors that match Who would not listen to a (Sheng jen) person who is caring enough to listen to you?Isn't it amazing how people that we would normally seek advice from do not sound so pleasant when they are giving advice about situations we are emotionally attached to? Wisdom is still wisdom even when you do not want to hear it Even humans get grumpy and out of whack when they're hungry and tired or maybe in your wallet? Is your dog pretty darn close to being the very center of your universe? Do you love spoiling him, respond to his every whimper and cry, and spend hundreds of dollars on gourmet treats? To say that dogs are man's best friend is anything but a clich

[url=http://www.texansfootballshop.com/]Arian Foster Youth Jersey[/url]

Anonymous said...

Hello. And Bye.

Anonymous said...

Shе told me that you have to gіve an tantric massagе in my аnd
now a customег is teachіng ϺE some nеw tгicκѕ!

These are Bully batty sсents іs it victіmised foг?
But if ωe use flаming in the hаywiгe
way, ahеad I tаke it off and it's 1 AM and so.

my web blog Website
my site:

Anonymous said...

must look at this dmFmnzyL [URL=http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/]outlet gucci[/URL] suprisely NanBboZT [URL=http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/ ] http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

purchase AJFcfBXN [URL=http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/ - gucci outlet[/URL - for more InZQDKTq [URL=http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/ - http://www.cheapguccireplica.tumblr.com/ [/URL -

Anonymous said...

to buy KRdGZTwC [URL=http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/]top replica handbags[/URL] , just clicks away ApdEFNYR [URL=http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/ ] http://www.aaareplicahandbags.weebly.com/ [/URL]

Anonymous said...

Kelly Hermes HandbagsReplica Hermes xzep Replica HermesKelly Hermes Handbags tjcc

Anonymous said...

absolut power dating http://loveepicentre.com/success_stories/ who is jamie fox dating
dubai men in dating site [url=http://loveepicentre.com/faq/]dating in hove[/url] dating a deaf girl
beryllium-10 dating [url=http://loveepicentre.com/advice/]radio carbon dating accuracy[/url] nz free dating sites [url=http://loveepicentre.com/user/good2bgood/]good2bgood[/url] speed dating jokes