Another guest blogger to help me in my time of need. 🙂
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Hiya, Shiloh and readers. Big thanks for having me.
I’ve recently been going through a bit of a personal crisis. Those nearest and dearest to me have been kept in the know about my life circumstances. With life trials, I’ve discovered just how truly valuable a good friendship is. Okay, well, considering I’ve managed to hang on to my very best friend from high school…I’ve always known how precious a special friendship is. But thankfully, I’ve gone on to make a handful of equally lasting friendships. Thinking on the situation brought to mind an important speech Jenny Crusie gave on friendship at a New Jersey writer’s conference a few years ago.
The powerhouse author emphasized the importance for an author to know who his/her friends are. Actually, it’s important for anyone to know who their real friends are. I’m not talking acquaintances, or colleagues who reference themselves as “friends.” Let’s be clear, friendship is supportive behavior between individuals. It’s a solid relationship involving affection, esteem, mutual knowledge, and respect, along with providing aid and encouragement to friends in times of need or crisis. Friends will welcome each other’s company and loyalty towards one another, often to the point of selflessness. Real friends give us the strength to stand up after we have been knocked to our knees. They offer a safe haven from the storms of life. I’m very blessed to have a handful of sisters of my heart.
Honestly, you don’t need many friends, just those who stay true and will sit by you through thick and thin. I recently had a reader mail me a note about a character of mine named Miller Thorn. What a brother he is. What a friend he is. Quiet. Steadfast. She also mentioned what a hunk he is, but we’re focusing on friendship here…
Our job as authors is to create real worlds. This includes friends of main characters…those secondary characters that draw us to them.
One of my favorite friendship proverbs is, “love is blind; friendship closes its eyes.” I believe this to be true because no one is perfect. So, let us hear which of an author’s characters you wish you could count among your friends.
Melissa Lopez
JOURNEYS OF LOVE every woman needs to take.
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