I grew up watching The Waltons and Andy Griffith re-runs.
Life on Waltons Mountain and on the quiet streets of Mayberry seemed ideal. The folks there were friendly, faith-filled, and neighbor-oriented.
As far back as I can recall, I knew those were towns I wanted to base my fictional series on.
I wanted folks (readers) to be able to sit back, kick their shoes off, and drive the short distance to “perfectville” just one more time… (if only in their minds.)
I believe we live in a day and age where people long to revisit the simpler times and towns of their youth. Because of so much worldly upheaval, we enjoy a certain measure of nostalgia, familiarity, and uncomplicated routine. The thought of “perfectville” by way of a great story motivates us to read more, argue less, and try harder.
Lest it seem that all is rosy-posy in Perfectville, of course, there are bound to be realistic predicaments and problems along the way. Without conflict, Perfectville would be too…well…perfect.
I’d like my readers to identify with my characters’ internal and external upheaval to a degree, all the while thinking, well, if they made it through that, perhaps, I can, too.
In my Welcome to Ruby series, folks aren’t fancy, pretentious, or worldly focused. Instead, the characters are quirky, off-beat, and down-to-earth. Some are steeped in tradition, while others are more receptive to change. They care about each other, but they still have problems because that’s how life really is.
One of the town’s local meeting places (that I introduce in House of Hope, the first book in my series) is the 
Come and Get It diner. I loved creating this little niche in the Ozark foothills where folks could hang out, commiserate, and gab over coffee and pie. It’s there that the fine folks of Ruby saunter in and out throughout the day sharing their hopes and whispering their dreams.
While much of the setting (of House of Hope) is the heroine’s remodeled home on the outskirts of Ruby, Missouri, the Come and Get It is still an integral backdrop for some lively conversation and goings-on.
As I edit and revise, I’m reminded why I love this world of “pretend” and writing so much: God grants us the freedom to use our creativity wisely.
I still get goosebumps when I realize the weight of that mission. To share the Gospel and the love of Jesus through our fictional worlds is to understand fully the meaning of “perfectville.”
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What’s your life-vision?
What were your favorite T.V. shows while growing up?
Photo Credits: Creative Commons
REMINDER:
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Blessings Always,
Comments 7
My life vision…now you’ve got me thinking! I’m not sure I’ve taken the time to sit down and put it into words. But I know my vision for my life has something to do with telling stories that point to God’s awesomeness. 🙂
Growing up, I think my favorite shows were MacGuyver and Full House. Heheh, I’m such a child of the 80s/90s. 🙂
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Melissa: “telling stories that point to God’s awesomeness.” Wow! That’s really what it all boils down to.
Cindy: I think we’re seeing a most-welcomed shift back toward simplicity, tradition, and homespun values. And who doesn’t love Little House on the Prairie? What a great example!
Perfectville sounds ideal. I love towns like these, and the simplicity is often a great contrast to the internal and external struggles of characters.
I watch a lot of Little House on the Prarie when I was a kid and I definitely longed for that simpler life-style.
I loved The Waltons. I shared John Boy’s dream of being a writer and rejoiced when he finally got to pursue it.
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Keli, I know! I loved how Earl Hamner Jr. always narrated the opening from John Boy’s POV, too.
I liked the Waltons, and Little House on the Prairie, too. And Lassie. 🙂
My life-vision is to make someone else’s day brighter, every single day.
Wow, I didn’t realize how far behind I’ve gotten on blog reading! I went to Barnes & Noble and never came back! Thanks for the great prizes. The owl bag is adorable.
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Patti, I love your “life vision.” You’ve certainly brightened my day for over a year now. 🙂 So glad you liked the blog drawing gifts!