Favorite?

Over the weekend I participated in an Author Fair at the Joliet Public Library, an event they hold every year that’s sponsored by three libraries in the area. This was my first year there but what a fun day, with a variety of authors and a steady stream of patrons filing through (despite the lovely weather outside!). The library staff provided ample snacks and served a wonderful, healthy lunch for the authors and the day passed quickly.

Someone asked me which of my books is my favorite, and this question stops me every time. I’m so fickle, every book is my favorite while I’m writing it. I sound like a run-around rake, loving the one I’m with instead of being true to one special book. But I have to be honest. Whichever book I’m working on at the time really is my favorite, perhaps because I spend so much time with the characters as they follow me around. It seems things happen on any given day that for one reason or another aptly apply to their emotions or circumstance. (And believe me, that doesn’t feel odd even though for the most part my characters are people who would have lived in an entirely different era.)

So how did I answer the question? Well, after the initial explanation about each book being a favorite in its own way, I told why each one was special. It was a bit like looking at my children, each one different but equally valued. They have their own strengths and charm, their own challenges, too.

It was a refreshing little exercise that made me happy to have written a variety of books. So the next time you look at your own books, whether you’ve written them or read them, think about why each one was special to you. Is it a character that remains with you in some special way? A plot twist? An especially thrilling scene or ending?

And then remember that, because whatever it is that marks something special is something you’ll want to replicate. The feeling underneath that’s captured through some special character or conflict can be universal. The universality is often times what makes the scene or character facet so special. Isn’t that what art of any kind hopes to do? Evoke emotion in others?

Right now I’m already looking into my next project, Book Two of my three book series. I’m already pretty familiar with this book, as I’ll explain in coming days. No, I haven’t decided to be a plotter rather a seat-of-the-pants writer. 😉 I know this book has its own set of favorite people and scenes. Ah, anticipation!