Sometimes symbols or the mystique of something can influence our thoughts or behavior. The best storytellers seem to incorporate something that could possibly-maybe-perhaps become a reality in the world of the story. That's the beauty of fiction. Anything can happen. Recently at a U of A basketball game, a young woman sang the Star Spangled Banner acapella. Usually, we just listen to the band or group or whoever is singing this routine tune. But the woman's voice was so clear and beautiful that about half-way through, the crowd started singing with her. Spontaneously. From mystique (those of us who can't sing in tune) to reality. Research has shown that the photo of an old-fashioned light bulb makes us think of bright ideas or something new and creative. From image to action. When I was in Ireland, I fell in love with the handmade Irish lace, so much so that I wanted to put it into a book. The local Irish shops set the reality stage for me – it's a hard sell. These days, nobody is buying doilies, no matter how intricate and beautiful. One shop was putting snippets of the actual antique lace in note cards as décor. But what if. . . (cue light bulb) I gave the lace some significance, a myth going back generations? And so, the power of Amazing Lace was created. Claire, in Claire's Embrace, believed in the power because it originated from her blessed mother's hands. Claire's daughter, Brianna, did not dare to believe, until it happened in Secret Embrace. In Embraceable You the townsfolk of Haven's Point were quite doubtful until something magical happened online. And that impossible-to-sell lace began to sell. Never underestimate the Power of Positive Underwear - and a good old-fashioned topless style show! What do you believe? Do you have a favorite shirt, religious symbol, or something special that someone gave you? Maybe from one who is no longer in your life? Or an item that your great-grandmother valued? Something that gives inspiration or encouragement or even… power. What takes you from mystique to reality? Strength does not come from physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will. - Gandhi If you, or your kids, have seen the movie The Interns, you know that these two Loveable Losers (really cute guys) try to get a job at a monumental company in the Web World. From the visuals, this is the greatest, most creative company in the world and our Lovable Losers really, really want to work there. This becomes their goal - the Dream Job. The other interns are brilliant but flawed nerds who know the Internet language and everything about computers, but lack self-confidence. Our overly-confident heroes are not of the Web World and one of them continues to utter the infamous, inane statement, "... On the line... " Everybody scoffs and says, "It's online stupid!" Of course, he repeats "On the line…" numerous times and that becomes the movie's humorous catch phrase. Now, that's about when I started watching because the story isn't about getting a job or fixing our hunky heroes' lives or even the magnificent and best company in the world to work for. It's about… DREAMS! Find your dreams. Follow your dreams. Don't lose sight of your dreams! Disclaimer: this isn't my kind of movie, but I was trapped inside a plane for hours on my return from France and this was a time-filler. However, I found a silver lining in it. Writers are weird like that – we see the world as it relates to our writing or how we can use it. The Lovable Losers even quote from one of my favorite movies, Flashdance, where the heroine clings to a nearly impossible dream, but doesn't give up. In The Interns, our heroes encourage their colleagues to make it happen through teamwork, positive attitudes and high expectations. Yay – my kind of language. My favorite quote from Flashdance: "If you lose your dream, you die." I think dreams are so important in our lives that most of my books are about following dreams, losing dreams, finding new dreams, and pursuing dreams of happiness and love. In Embraceable You, not only has the heroine lost her dreams and her love, but most of the townsfolk have lost their hopes and dreams, too. However, connections to the Internet, teamwork, positive attitudes and high expectations enable them to become winners with hopes for the future. Embraceable You is online at Amazon; See how my characters work together to achieve success on the line. And most importantly, follow your own dreams, wherever they may lead. Happy Holidays, Mary Tate |