Characters by Theresa Shadrix

I’ve been doing an awful lot of thinking lately and that can be dangerous. Cause the mind has a way of tossing around thoughts that you would never allow near your tongue. Some of my thoughts have been on the character of Southern writers and I can’t help but notice a thing or two.

You see, I spend my work days reading the words of others, offering my advice and arranging every sentence so that readers are left with something meaningful and insightful. Or at least entertaining.

I also communicate with a lot of writers, mainly of the Southern lot, both for work as the Managing Editor of Longleaf Style magazine and in personal friendships. When I’m not editing, I also try my hand at writing and thus, talk to myself at these times. So, I think with these conversations through the years, I have a great opportunity to an insight into the mind of a few writers.

I’ve not had moments in which I pull out my dusty copy of the DSM, but I must say that we sure are an interesting bunch of characters that seem to be fit for the perfect novel. And, there seems to be quite a few of us that missed the boat when self-esteem was floating down the river. We are no doubt colorful and sometimes we struggle with the ups and downs of the writer's life. But, God love us. We are authentic characters, who just happen to bring characters to life.

Sometimes you don’t have to look very far for inspiration. So, on the topic of characters this month, just pay close attention to the personality traits of some of your most treasured friends, who happen to be writers. You are either gonna laugh or cry, but there is no doubt you will be inspired.

And, if that doesn't help, then try giving a monkey a laptop and see what happens.

Theresa Shadrix is Managing Editor of Longleaf Style magazine and has written on everything from the Negro Baseball League to the Southern fascination of Bigfoot. She is currently researching outhouses in the South and thanks the Lord above for indoor plumbing.