a tale of tails, tenacity, and tedium, as told by me, usually barefoot and bellowing

Friday, September 24, 2010

Flyin' By The Seat Of My Pants...

Many of you may not know I am somewhat of a science fiction fan...to me, that is sometimes easier to believe than romance!  Not too long ago, I was just surfing and I found an interesting blog.  Alex is a soon to be published author, October 19th to be exact. 

I said all that to say this, he and some friends have hosted a series on writing how to's and how come's and all that.  I discovered they were hosting something September 24th.  To participate, you sign up and write about a character...I thought!  So, my ever quick fingers signed me up before I read ALL the information.

I am supposed to write about writing a good character...I think.  My solution, as I wipe the egg from my face, is just to write about a character.  So here goes nothing...

Born in 1917, my father was half Irish and half English.  He would tell the story of his grandmother's voyage to Ellis Island with light in his eyes.  She was so ornery, he would say, a sailor grabbed one foot and held her over the side of the ship, promising to drop her if she didn't behave.  She was only five, so Dad thinks maybe he came by his orneriness honestly.

Oh, the tales he told!  A different life time shared with first the children and then the grandchildren.  He could weave a tale with such humor and suspense, you would sit waiting for the end and yet hope the tale never ended.

The first thing you would notice about Dad would be his eyes, blue as the sky and so full of life, they twinkled.  He was small in stature but his presence was larger than life.  Maybe five eight, I have seen him back a six foot plus man into a corner with just his words...not angry words, but strong and truthful words.

Dad was a self-educated man and was always learning.  His heroes were Rachael Carson, Will Rogers and Edgar Caycee.  He was a veteran of World War II and he served proudly.  He never spoke of war except  the funny stories.  The other, he said, was not suitable to tell or to hear.

My father taught me what a person's word is worth, what it means to work hard for your dreams, and how to laugh and what love truly means.  I would be his daughter all over again if I had the chance.

So I have written about a character in my life not how to write a character.  I hope you were entertained.
Sorry, Alex, I will read more closely next time.

18 comments:

Country Gal said...

Wonderful ! OMG Your father sounds like the spitting image of my father. My father was also British and was a British soldier, he to was no more then 5"8 and also was small in stature and had blue eyes , sandy blond hair and was a fiesty one and was quite the character and loved to tell stories as well, when I was reading this I was shocked at how much alike they were and could of sworn I was reading about my dad. My father passed away 14 years ago and this post brought back so many wonderful memories of him for me, thankyou so much for that. Have a great day!

Jules said...

Way to go Gail! Others have done the same, wrote of a character. I could almost see your father and I must say...

I now know where your fire comes from. Irish blood does come with passion :)
Jules @ Trying To Get Over The Rainbow

Nezzy (Cow Patty Surprise) said...

You sure do have a gift of throwin' a good yarn Gail. Your father sounds just amazing sweetie.

Ya'll have a most blessed weekend!!!

Anonymous said...

Our fathers are big in the hearts of their daughters, no matter their stature. Enjoyed your tale of the man who was so influential in your life. It was told with love.

Liz

mj said...

To say, "I would be his daughter all over again", now that's the kind of love for a father that everyone should be so fortunate to have shared. Maybe you didn't do the assignment correctly, but the one that you did write, gets an A+ in my book.

Pat said...

One of the reasons for writing is to entertain, and you certainly did that, my lady! Your father sounds like a wonderful man! And I can see that you got your spirit from him!

OmaLindasOldeBaggsandStuftShirts said...

I agree with the other commentors...you get an A+ on this telling of your father. How very special to have that kind of love for your Father and being able to write about him in such an entertaining, and informative way. Super job, The Olde Bagg

Rudee said...

I love the new look here. I feel as though I'm in a lodge in the mountains while I read the interesting tale of your character. Nicely done.

T. Powell Coltrin said...

This is a great story. I love it!

Teresa

LindaG said...

I like your story better.


And I love Science Fiction/Fantasy, too.


Have a great weekend!

Jennifer Taylor said...

I think you accomplished the job admirably!

Elana Johnson said...

I think that it's in the writing of characters that we learn the most about HOW to write characters. So you did great! Your father sounds like an amazing man.

Shannon O'Donnell said...

Your father sounds like a wonderful man and you wrote wonderfully about him - what could be better than that?! Great post. :-)

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

Loved your take on what we were supposed to do. :) I started on entry number one, so this was a nice surprise....

Lovely entry!

Melissa said...

Your father sounds intriguing. Personally, I'm glad you read how the contest was supposed to go wrong because I loved your version too!

Christine Fonseca said...

I love this post! Great job.

Nicole Zoltack said...

You're father sounds like an incredible man, thanks for sharing.

Ishta Mercurio said...

This was lovely! And Elana is right: the best way to learn about how to write a character is to do it and then look back over it and see how you did. Your dad sounds like quite a man; you're lucky to have had such a person in your life.

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