When Characters Talk to You

Have any of you seen the movie about Beatrix Potter, “Miss Potter”, starring Renee Zellweger? It’s a sweet, undemanding movie that wants to be more than that, but is charmingly well-crafted just the same. And it offers a glimpse into one of the world’s most celebrated author/illustrators. Perhaps THE most celebrated female illustrator. That alone made it a must-see for me.

In any event, I was reminded of the movie this afternoon, as my mind attempted to fight off months of deadlines and too many plates in the air and pressures of all varieties, big and small, memorable and not, and I fell into this kind of playful mode with characters from a book I’ve not yet published. Sitting, alone, I had the sudden inspiration for a couple of my characters to make a cameo appearance with one of my 52 Weeks of Peace bags.

We had a fun time with that, the characters and myself. And I thought, is this strange? Probably. (And worse yet, should I be admitting this?)

So I found myself very relieved to have seen the movie, because in the film, Miss Potter’s characters talk to her. And of course, she talks back. So it’s okay. And even if it’s not, in lieu of a 3-week junket to Tuscany, it offered a refreshing moment of simple fancy in a sometimes overly serious world. (Not to mention it was good for my little friends to get out and make some mischief ….)

© Patricia Saxton

Patricia Saxton

No Comments
  • douglas esper

    November 30, 2011 at 10:41 am Reply

    If I got a nickel everytime some one thought I was talking to myself when I was actually talking to a character I wouldn’t have to find a publisher because I could buy one

    • saxtonstudio

      November 30, 2011 at 8:18 pm Reply

      hopefully you’re having good conversations then, since the nickels aren’t showering down! good to know we’re not alone, eh?

  • Mark Kwasny

    November 30, 2011 at 8:54 am Reply

    I love it when my characters talk to me!

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