As a writer of serial stories, I found sometimes when in a rut it helped to bring a big changer in so everyone in the story would have to deal with it. With Little Dee, it was a minivan full of penguins.
Over the years I really enjoyed expanding Susan’s character. She’s not a dynamic wild nutty person like most of the lot, but she’s sweet and interesting and I always liked her.
That was me far too many times in my 20s, embarassed to say “yes” to invitations. I have no idea why really, but it was lousy.
Towns/villages of this size always fascinated me. Communities where everything is known by all, both good and bad. Bad: you can’t get away with anything. Good: nobody else can either.
I was on the bus tonight, and some guy started talking to some woman half his age. And he just wanted to talk, to have someone to listen. It was sweet and sad and not interesting at the same time.
Life is complex.