Writing Inspiration

Many people I meet provide the inspiration for characters in my writing. Today I spoke with a woman whose flavor is recreated in a scene from Beyond Church Doors.  She is reading this, my second novel, and paid special attention to one character's traits and conversations about her hobby.

"That sounds like the way I think about crocheting, Sylvia. How did you capture the feeling and the details so clearly?"

"I listened to you when you spoke to me about your crochet pieces and how carefully you work them. I just listened."

"No, you did more than that, Sylvia. You really heard me and got me! In this character, you show how important these crocheting projects are to me. Thank you."
I was both thankful for and humbled by her reaction.
Take care,
Sylvia

Bingo

In a conversation today with a female acquaintance, the topic turned to things we do for recreation. She told me she likes to play Bingo once a week. I think she said the games are held in a community or church hall. I used to play Bingo as a child, and my students enjoyed the game. With the students, sometimes the winner would win a small treat (pretzels, small bag of fruit snacks, cookie, etc.). Other than playing Bingo with children, I rarely play it anymore. However, many adults I know say they have fun doing so, and Bingo prizes  now include designer purses and considerable sums of money. So why was I surprised when my acquaintance today said if people are not in the hall/game room by a certain time, they can't enter? The doors are locked at the start of the game and no one can enter until the game is over. She said this is a security measure because the winnings are "cash money" and, in an urban area, this measure keeps certain uninvited people from taking what does not belong to them. (I'm writing this in a politically correct way.) Wow...I guess I'm being naive. I never connected Bingo with getting jacked. (I did not write that in a politically correct way.)
Take care,
Sylvia

Rescue

The last day I was able to use my laptop was January 29, 2012. On January 30, it would not start, no  matter how many corrective measures I tried. I realized this was far beyond my limited computer repair expertise, so I called my tech-savvy brother and tried to fit myself into his repair schedule. A few years ago, it would not have mattered too much to me not to have daily access to my laptop, but  my life has changed.  I'm a writer/author, a blogger, and at the start of a marketing campaign for my 2nd novel, BEYOND CHURCH DOORS- and no working computer?!?
While I waited for my brother to get to my laptop, I borrowed my significant other's a couple of days, but he needed it himself most days. I used my small tablet, but it doesn't have all the capacity I need for my work. I was tempted to go to the local library, to a friend's house, or to a corner  of some facility's computer lab. However, my brother came through yesterday, traveled more than an hour and  half one way,  picked up my sick laptop, and left me a loaner. Yay! It's not the same as having my own- the one I'm so used to I can work it with one eye open- but it's the next best thing!  
Hooray for rescuers!
Take care,
Sylvia