​     I usually stay away from political issues because they can be such a sticky topic, but I thought I couldn’t keep quiet anymore. As a nation, we have fought in many wars to defend those who could not protect themselves and we did this in the name of humanity. It doesn’t matter what your point of view is on the border, jobs, or your political position; the right to be treated with decency and as a fellow human is a must. We fought each other to free slaves, we fought others to free nations from injustices, and now we have become the monsters that we set out to destroy. Where has the line of humanity that we don’t cross gone? Is nothing out of bounds?

     No water, no showers, little food, separation of families. Does any of this sound familiar to you? I am ashamed not only as a nation but as an individual. As a nation, we talk and talk about these intolerable acts and we do nothing. As individuals, we talk and go to court to talk some more. It’s time to let them out of the cages. It’s as simple as that. Open the gates, reunite the families, and destroy the monster that we have become as a nation.
Today we are a nation that is pitted against itself and those less fortunate are paying the price. We are no longer the United States but have become the Divided States. Political jockeying and outdoing each other has become the norm. Is this the new American dream?

     We have prided ourselves as a nation of freedom for all. The last part has become a lie. How can we call ourselves the land of the free when we cage those who seek it? We have forgotten, or choose to ignore that none of us originated on this land. That we are the very proof that immigration to a new land can work. Generations ago our relatives endured the turmoil of coming to a new land and now we are so willing to pass that punishment onto those seeking the very same thing. Have we learned nothing?

     I would like to hear your thoughts, not your political views but your opinions on the loss of our humanity. They are human beings, mothers, fathers, and children. I ask one question. Where has the line gone?

​The writing of a good story, whether it is a novel, short story or essay, has a common link between the author and the reader. This commonality lies in the emotion that is bestowed by the author and to the reader.
The author is charged with creating a picture that is locked in place in the reader's mind. How is this done? The key is emotion. Anyone can explain events that may occur, but only when there becomes a connection to that story is the reader engaged and invested in that story.
    The reader longs to be tied to the story, unable to pull themselves away from it. As an author we must enlist emotions; joy, fear, anger, sadness, hatred, love, the list could be endless. Every reader and every author experiences emotions daily; put them into play in your writing. Use them to lock the reader into the story.
     The secret is to take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride. Different character actions, different settings and different events within a story to guide the reader through various different emotions at any given moment. This keeps the reader glued to the story.
     A character’s reaction to an event, their body language, their speech, their emotions, all can be used to allow the reader to become invested in that character. If a character is feeling emotional pain, you want your reader to feel that emotional pain, therefore you, as the author, must feel it too.
     The description of a scene can play just as an important role in cementing a reader’s emotions into the story. The more vivid the wording of the scene the more the reader can visualize the scene and the more they become invested in the scene. Their emotions take over.
     Events in a story line can be used to trigger emotions in the reader. Readers associate with events in a story line because they may have had a similar event or know someone who has had a similar event. They are already emotionally tied to the event in their memory. Another way is to take away something from the reader that they may have already become invested in, such as a character or object within the story. Loss is a powerful emotion.
There are many ways to keep the reader emotionally tied to the story. It is the craft of the author to portray these emotions through the written word. As an author read what you write and decide if you're getting the emotional point across to the reader. If so, you’re creating a wondrous experience for the reader.

The writing of a good story, whether it is a novel, short story or essay, has a common link between the author and the reader. This commonality lies in the emotion that is bestowed by the author and to the reader.
The author is charged with creating a picture that is locked in place in the reader's mind. How is this done? The key is emotion. Anyone can explain events that may occur, but only when there becomes a connection to that story is the reader engaged and invested in that story.
    The reader longs to be tied to the story, unable to pull themselves away from it. As an author we must enlist emotions; joy, fear, anger, sadness, hatred, love, the list could be endless. Every reader and every author experiences emotions daily; put them into play in your writing. Use them to lock the reader into the story.
     The secret is to take the reader on an emotional roller coaster ride. Different character actions, different settings and different events within a story to guide the reader through various different emotions at any given moment. This keeps the reader glued to the story.
     A character’s reaction to an event, their body language, their speech, their emotions, all can be used to allow the reader to become invested in that character. If a character is feeling emotional pain, you want your reader to feel that emotional pain, therefore you, as the author, must feel it too.
     The description of a scene can play just as an important role in cementing a reader’s emotions into the story. The more vivid the wording of the scene the more the reader can visualize the scene and the more they become invested in the scene. Their emotions take over.
     Events in a story line can be used to trigger emotions in the reader. Readers associate with events in a story line because they may have had a similar event or know someone who has had a similar event. They are already emotionally tied to the event in their memory. Another way is to take away something from the reader that they may have already become invested in, such as a character or object within the story. Loss is a powerful emotion.
There are many ways to keep the reader emotionally tied to the story. It is the craft of the author to portray these emotions through the written word. As an author read what you write and decide if you're getting the emotional point across to the reader. If so, you’re creating a wondrous experience for the reader.

     Whether you’re writing a novel, short story, screenplay, or just about anything creative, the characters will portray some type or types of traits. These are called Archetypes. If you’re having trouble developing your characters, I suggest looking at the people you have engaged with during your life. The workplace is an excellent spot to start.
     To save time, I have come up with seven modern-day archetypes to help pinpoint people you might know. Most of my characters wear multiple archetypes that can change as the story goes on. This is important, as every character must show relatability and transition. Relatability is pretty straightforward; the character has to create a real bond with the reader. The transition can take a few directions. Most characters may go through a regressive transition and then move forward. Some characters begin severely flawed and transition back and forth a few times. Whatever approach you choose for your characters, the important thing to stay extremely aware of what you are doing. It has to make sense.
    The archetypes here are not presented in any specific order. See if you can connect each one to someone you know.

The Leader: Intuition guides this person to naturally take charge. They don’t sit around waiting for a solution, they create solutions with thought and care that benefit a situation or others.
The Hinderer: This individual questions others on just about everything. Rarely give useful information and is always looking for a way to make themselves look better.
The Pleaser: A person who signs up for everything. They are willing to help, no matter the personal cost. May have a tendency to over execute tasks.
The Follower: This is the good worker bee. Takes no risks, needs direction, and will not step up to lead even the simplest tasks.
The Sacrificer:  Boundaries don’t exist for this person. This one doesn’t care about rules or casualties. The result is the most important.
The Independent:  This is the loner who struggles to play with others. Good at making choices, but doesn’t necessarily see the consequences.
The Visionary: A person who sees the bigger dream, the long-range goal. This person may take longer to contemplate and action to see how it might affect the future.
​
      Most characters share parts of any of these archetypes. I’m sure you could come up with a few more. I have found these seven archetypes are a good starting point.
     I hope this was helpful for you as you're developing your characters. Please let me know your thoughts and if you were able to match actual people to these archetypes. If you need help in developing depth for your characters, let me know. I would love to help.