Thursday's children is a blog meme where writers blog about what inspires them. Click here to find out more and join us.
4th of July is no Halloween but it's still one of my favorite holidays. I love my country and can't imagine wanting to live anywhere else (and I've tried.)
But I've never been a flash-bang firework kind of gal. I don't like poppers or noise makers because I know what they do to my pets (I can only imagine what animal shelters go through during July!) and while I love the gorgeous displays put on by the cities I've lived in, I grew up at Disney, so they weren't really something I associated with Independence Day.
For me, there's only one image that comes to mind when I think of 4th of July fireworks.
As a kid I was mesmerized. Okay, I still am. There's something magical about that pure, white spark, and the fact that you can hold it in your hand. Even before Harry Potter, it made me feel like a Wizard.
Writing is all about sparks. The spark of that new idea that gets the ball rolling on a new project. The sparks that fly when characters find attraction, or when they experience conflict. The spark of change in the way a reader thinks after experiencing your story. The spark of motivation for your characters and plot.
"Katniss Everdeen, the girl who was on fire, you have provided a spark, that left unattended, may grow into an inferno that destroys Panem." ~President Snow, p. 23 CATCHING FIRE
Those are the moments I love most as a writer. Not a full on explosion, just the promise of that first spark.
Happy Independence Day! Let Freedom Ring! (And spark!)
<!– start LinkyTools script –>
<!– end LinkyTools script –>
Lovely post! I like the visuals of fireworks, but could do without the noise. Heard some when I took my doggies out just now.
ReplyDeletewe bought a bottle of Resolve for our carpet in preparation for tomorrow. Two 40-80 pound dogs. TERRIFIED of fireworks.
DeleteLove this post! I love fireworks, I've always loved them, but I am with you on feeling bad for the animals. Our pup actually does ok with them, she doesn't get too spooked, but that doesn't mean she likes them.
ReplyDeleteHow true! I loved the analogy of sparklers and sparks in our writing. Great post. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat Hunger Games quote!
ReplyDeleteAll about the spark! Great post, beautiful picture.
ReplyDelete"The spark of change in the way a reader thinks after experiencing your story." -love this. My favorite reviews are the ones where readers say how the story affected them personally. Nothing is more thrilling for a writer than knowing you helped alter someone else's worldview!
Great post. Love that quote!
ReplyDeleteI loved the sparklers too (although I celebrate Canada Day instead) and you are so right-- writing is all about those sparks!
ReplyDelete