MAKING CONNECTIONS

What is the difference between:
1) a story that is filled with action, adventure, and well written
2) a story that catches your attention, draws you in, and tugs at your emotions 
Both stories show talent and creativity.  The second story is one in which you and the author have made a connection. 

As a school teacher I was trained to help children to make connections with stories so that they would learn to enjoy literature.  We were to ask the students questions like, "Do you remember a time when you got lost, like Curious George?  Were you afraid?"

Most adult readers do this on their own.  We connect with a character in the story.  We say the book interests us but we really have made a connection that keeps us reading.  It explains why some readers love nostalgic pieces while others enjoy sci-fi.  There is something in that genre or with that author that connects with the reader.

This truth about making a connection with an audience was really brought to my mind a few years ago when I watched the movie The Passion of the Christ.  I tend to disconnect when viewing emotional works, so I found myself analyzing the theater audience.  How were they responding to the movie?

There was a scene where Mary is watching her brutalized son marched to the crucifixion.  The audience cannot connect with that.  Very few women can empathize with a son who was treated like Jesus.  Instead, the writers give viewers a flashback.  We see the very young Mary rush toward her child as he is falling on the gravel road.  Every mother remembers trying to help her child with a skinned knee.  Every mother knows that pain!  In an instant I heard a wave of sobbing in the movie theater.  "Cinema genius," I thought.  I, too, remembered holding my crying child.  I, too, was weeping.

What did I learn about writing from that moment in the movie theater?  If you want to make a connection, try hitting a universal experience.  In A Changing Season, my main character is dealing with some post traumatic stress, in the form of a dream.  I considered having her dream about physical abuse, but thought that most people could not connect with such behavior from a parent.  Instead, she dreams about a sharp, cold man who cannot communicate.  I felt that people might connect with this sort of relationship.  Any other abuse is merely hinted at.

Did I wimp out or did I find a way of connecting with an audience?  You tell me.

   

CONNECTIONS

This world is an isolating place and it is often difficult to make connections with other. I attend a large church and we solve the problem of isolation and loneliness with with small groups--study groups & Sunday school classes.

I brought that same idea into my work-out program. I have little time to socialize and my time at the Wellness Center did give me an opportunity to meet new people and experience new things. Of course, working out with equipment wasn't going to afford many chances at conversation.

First, I tried out the Ai Chi class. It was a good beginners activity, relaxing, and a lot of fun, too. Eventually, I pushed myself and tried the water aerobics.

Then it came time to graduate. How was I going to make myself keep working out when I was no longer interacting with others? I really wanted to be a part of a group.

I finally figured out what could work for me. I decided to do my heaviest workouts on Tuesday and Saturday. On Thursday I would do a cardio workout (a briefer workout) and attend a healthy cooking class. That would give me a group with which to connect.

I have tried this out for a couple of weeks and it seems to be satisfying--so far. I enjoy the work-outs, the class, and when I go to work on Fridays my co-workers want copies of the recipes.

Ecclesiastes says that a three cord rope is not easily broken. So true.