On Giving Characters (and Kids) Wings

I am a worrier. I fully admit and embrace this fact about myself. As a matter of fact, I constantly tell my own sons that it’s a mother’s job to worry and I love to do a good job. This usually gets me a knowing smile and a pat on the back.

As an author, we need to put our characters in peril. If we want an interesting story, one that readers can relate to and want to read, we need to give our characters the opportunity to take chances and make mistakes. In other words we need to give our character wings.

The good thing about putting my characters in peril, is that I can control the outcome. I can give them the happy or not so happy ending, I think they deserve.

As a mother, it’s a little more difficult to watch as your children make mistakes, take chances and fail. Sometimes it tears at my heart. But we need to give them wings.

This Christmas we gave our son’s a gift certificate for indoor skydiving. This was the perfect gift for Son#1 who loves adventure and Son #2 who loves all things flying (you see why I worry). This was also the perfect gift for a mom who worries, since they weren’t actually in the air.

Here is a video of Son #1 in the chamber:

It has been said that if you want a good story, take your character, put them in a tree and throw rocks at them. If you want to be a good parent, you need to give your children wings to go on and live their lives. I am working on both, and hopefully I’ll do a good job.

Go take a chance (but be careful while you’re doing it),

Suzanne Santillan,

Writing on the Sidewalk

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