This Thursday, I am thankful to get back to writing and editing after a crazily busy promo week from June 10-14, when I wasn’t able to write. I found myself more distracted than I would have liked last week–to some degree, inevitably–by the marketing aspects of the promo and the emotional rollercoaster of it all.

Marketing is going to be any writer’s least favorite aspect the journey. I’d bet big money on that. I, at least, hate it. I will do it when I have to, and especially when running a promotion, but man . . . all the awkward, detestable, negative feelings.

Now I am back to spending my free time working on the craft of fiction, which is, obviously, where my heart is (where writing is concerned.)

It takes stepping way for a bit, not revising or writing, for me to realize just how much creative writing is a necessary therapeutic outlet for me.

I’ve come to say that it’s all about the characters for me . . . That’s because it doesn’t matter whether I’m writing or revising. As long as I have time with my characters, processing my life, fears, hopes, wounds, and dreams through them, I am in a better headspace.

I think it’s because they share my weaknesses and flaws, and so they help me not only learn to work on those, but also to be merciful to myself while I do that.

Their strengths and virtues inspire me to try harder to develop that in my own life.

Anyways . . . I need my characters. I connect with them so deeply!

Do you find yourself inspired in a deep way by a particular fictional character?