Earlier today I did a presentation on the topic of writing creative non-fiction, personal essays and how to write a character sketch. I discovered that I enjoy teaching people of all ages. I like tripping over little kids and big words. I would like to do more writing workshops and maybe go on the $peakers circuit.
On my way to the workshop location I lost my breath for a minute and my heart raced when I caught a glance of her. I kept my eye on the petite older woman wearing a summer sun cap with a wide bill like my late mom used to wear. For a moment I thought it was her. I felt a wave of euphoria wash over me, but in a split second I exhaled when I realized it was a little old lady walking in the park. I really miss my mom today.
Today several characters made me gasp. We were shopping at Burlington Coat Factory, a well known department store in town. I saw an old friend and her sister; we were highschool classmates. It was such a nice surprise. Gasp!
I also sucked in my breath when we got in the car and a middle-age man walked out of the store wearing what appeared to be ONLY a T-shirt and shoes. Turned out, he was also wearing a black Speedo. EWWW! If this were a beach town or resort area, I could understand...maybe. Gasp!
We stopped for ice cream, and a mother exited her car and allowed her toddler to flit around the parking lot AS CARS WERE ENTERING AND EXITING and honking. Gasp!
I spied several guys with dime-size black button earrings in their lobes. Perhaps someone told them that pierced ears eventually close up when one quits wearing earrings. No way with these guys. They will forever have two more permanent holes in their heads. Gasp!
I saw a teen girl with piercings all across her bottom lip and in her eyebrows. She looked like Bride of Frankenstein. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, I know. Gasp!
I also saw an elderly woman waiting at a bus stop. She had the sweetest grandmotherly face and more bicep tattoos than a biker babe. Gasp! Well, maybe she WAS a biker babe.
Characters everywhere today! How about you? Care to share?