My shapeshifting heron, Tahoma, is enjoying his human transformation. I could (and have) filled notebooks with the joy he finds in each new experience. However, when I try to coax him to move the story line forward, he isn’t ready.
When I write, I usually have the beginning hook and the ending scene in mind. Then I follow the trail of bread crumbs as my characters work through the maze of their storyline to ‘the end’.
Tahoma’s final scene in this story is a choice. Does he want to live his life as a human or return to the feathery adventures of a heron on the Black River? He will meet mentors and have thrilling adventures to help him make this choice and lead him to his conclusion. At the moment, he still has mangos and smoked salmon to taste (and chew), laughter to experience (have you seen a bird laugh?), and he is a teen boy now so inevitably he will want to drive a car as well.
Amazingly, Tahoma hasn’t looked back. He hasn’t questioned the transformation, or climbed the cottonwood to get back into his nest. He hasn’t blamed or judged anything. He lives in the moment, just as a heron would.
I find it intriguing how an imaginary character that lives so vividly in my imagination has so much to teach me about life.
Juicy stuff Maryellen…Thank You for this…! Im loving Tahoma 🙂
I love him too! He is such a fun character 🙂
Beautiful Maryellen. It seems that Tahoma has many gifts for you. You know after reading this, it occurs to me that all the herons have shapeshifted and they’ve done so for a purpose. It is a little more than mere coincidence that shortly after you visit them for the first time, they disappear. This, after what may have been centuries of having been on that river. You may be channeling these characters and perhaps they are channeling you, too. Fun to ponder. xxxxome2
thank you Beth!
Oh what a ponder that is….
beautiful mary ellen, I was looking forward to reading more. I was surprised when you mentioned he wanted to drive a car….somehow in my head we were in a different time period. Loving your process 🙂 amy
I’m right there with you Amy, the car suprised me as well.
As much as I want to be the ruler and ‘God’ like being over my fictional worlds, I’m NOT! I’m just following Tahoma’s lead….
Maryellen, your fascinating story gets better and better! I can’t wait to see Tahoma’s transformation into being human and learn his reactions to all the changes.
Niether can I Lou, I learn something new from him every day 🙂 thank you for reading!
That’s amazing! 😀 I can’t believe I didn’t have time to check this post sooner. o.o Anyway… I smiled when I saw the car thing. 😛 I wonder what sort of car he’ll like best? I can’t wait until you’ve got the whole story! 😀
Thanks 🙂 I’ve been writing non stop it seems…I actually had a hand cramp last night! If only I could create while typing, alas….my muse just will not have it that way…
You have my complete sympathy. From what my Mom says, they ain’t pretty. It seems like I can only create while typing! If I don’t, I lose the idea. 😦