Cat Tales: Miscellany and Mischief

July 17 (30DBC)

July 17 30DBC Prompt: Late comedienne Phyllis Diller, who was born on this day back in 1917, once said "I wanted to become me, totally me. The more me, the better. I instinctively knew this and I was right." With what piece of writing do you think you've achieved (or come the closest to) becoming you?

Hmm. I think that's a really good question.

My first published novel, oddly enough, feels the least like me of all the writing I've ever done. But it was SO fun to write. It was definitely still my own original idea, literally born of a dream, and the story fascinated me. But it's the one I feel the most removed from.

Probably the one that's closest to my heart (and by that, I mean the heart of who I am) is my epic fantasy series, The Mending. It's what I like to call my magnum opus. It's developed with me throughout my angsty teen years and tumultuous college years to become something so expansive, and so reflective of who I am, that it's practically an autobiography.

None of the characters are exactly like me, of course. They're all their own unique individuals. But each one reflects something about me, sometimes things that I am afraid to admit even to myself. My characters have drawn emotions and realizations from me that nothing else ever could.

Even though the events of the plot are way too epic and earth-shattering to be a literal reflection of my life, my hubby often comments that certain elements sound really familiar. He'll wink at me and say, "Based on a true story." I have to smile because it's really true. No matter how wildly my plot might differ from my real life, I draw every reaction, every relationship, every deep-rooted characteristic from my own experiences.

AlyCatAuthor