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Anita Higman | Humans are a Mess
August 7, 2013
Humans are living puzzles. Each a paradox—a labyrinth of backstory secrets and
history, of contradictions and flaws. In other words, humans are a mess. To make my point, let me first describe a spirit-soaring scene. You’re at the
grocery store, and you reach for a jar of relish for an older woman who has
arthritis. Then as you leave the store, you make the check-out lady—with the
aching feet—howl with laughter. On the drive home, you open your window to hand
the homeless man a gift card to I-Hop. Yes, you are flying free, my friend.
You’re officially in that “feeling-good-to-the-bone” zone. And you think maybe
sainthood is not far behind. Then, you run into your neighbor lady—the one you not-so-affectionately call the
“queen of crab,” and it’s downhill from there. For some reason, six months ago,
that same neighbor lady grew to hate your kids. She even stepped on your cat’s
tail and called it an accident. Yes, the woman wraps her scowl around your heart
like rancid bacon on prime rib. She is the bane of your existence. Then comes that day when you can no longer hold your tongue. Your neighbor lady
smashes into your mailbox with her car, and that’s it—you decide it’s time to
let the ol’ battleax have it with barbs sharp enough to put a cactus to shame.
Unexpectedly, your neighbor’s shoulders sag, and she walks away not only with
sadness, but despair, because what you didn’t know was that her granddaughter
had been diagnosed with leukemia—six months ago. The neighbor lady—however wrong—was releasing her feelings of anger and
helplessness on you. Now, instead of sainthood, you worry they’ll take away your
license to be human. You are as low as dirt. No, under the dirt. You feel as if
your emotions have been buried alive. Actually, depending on your growth as a person, you will either rant some more,
avoid all contact with your neighbor in the future, or you’ll take the neighbor
a warm casserole and an even warmer apology. This is the way I try to write my characters—with background story and
complexities. With messy lives that are flawed, relatable, multilayered, and
compelling. In my latest novel, Winter in Full Bloom, I’ve
worked hard to do all the above. I hope you, the reader, enjoy the many messy characters who inhabit this story! Comment to win a mug, Tazo Tea, and a rose bath fizzy from Anita! About WINTER IN FULL BLOOM Lily Winter's wings are folded so tightly around her daughter that when empty
nest arrives, she feels she can no longer fly. But Lily's lonely, widowed life
changes in a heartbeat when she goes to visit a woman who is almost a stranger
to her-a woman who also happens to be her mother. During their fiery reunion,
her mother reveals a dark family secret that she'd been hiding for decades-Lily
has an identical twin sister who was put up for adoption when they were just
babies. Without looking back, Lily-with her fear of flying-boards a jumbo jet and
embarks on a quest to find her sister which leads half way around the world to
Melbourne, Australia. Befriended by imprudent Ausie, he might prove to be the
key to finding her sister. But her journey becomes a circle that leads her back
home to attempt a family reunion and to find the one dream she no longer
imagined possible-the chance to fall in love again.
Comments
24 comments posted.
Re: Anita Higman | Humans are a Mess
It's not only a story of mess, but of infection-- both lived
good will and the kabuki of wretchedness communicate rapidly
across human populations.
I like your style!
(Mary Ann Dimand 7:26am August 7, 2013)
Oh my! We humans are more alike than we imagine, we may be a
mess, but it's the way we handle things that make us the unique
individuals we are. Your book seems to hit the tip of the nail
perfectly. Can't wait to read it.
(C Culp 7:52am August 7, 2013)
lived over 80 years and must say there should be no surprises in life..anything and everything is possible.
(Mal Kaplan 9:04am August 7, 2013)
Oh yes! Complicated characters are the best..I'm so impressed by authors who manage to give even secondary characters an air of having a rich inner life. While we can't possibly know the details of everyone in the story, it's wonderful when they aren't just props for the main character or couple, but are well rounded people with their own concerns and desires.
(Mary Verner 9:19am August 7, 2013)
Your post resonated with me. The characters with realistic
personalities, foibles and problems are fascinating and your
writing deals with this superbly. Best wishes.
(Sharon Berger 9:48am August 7, 2013)
Ouch, so hard to blow up especially at an older person, making amends is the best way to get through it and if it is accepted more power to them, if not, you tried and from now on just do the best to get along. Sounds like a good book and shows how life throws us curveballs when we least expect it.
(Deana Connelly 10:24am August 7, 2013)
I have never read any of your work buy I love characters that are messy and
complex. Real yet loveable or truly hated. Here is to many sales in the future!
(Val Pearson 12:27pm August 7, 2013)
Wow, Congrats on your new book: WINTER IN FULL BLOOM. Yes,
we humans make messes and have trials in life that we must
go through but they make us a stronger and better person
usually. We can also become a blessing to others and share
our smiles and stories along the way. I would love to win
and read your book this summer. Thank You very much. Cecilia
CECE
(Cecilia Dunbar Hernandez 12:45pm August 7, 2013)
This sounds like a very interesting book! Cant wait to read it
(Julie Parrish 12:52pm August 7, 2013)
Sounds like a lovely, messy, human story that I would love to read!!
(Kelli Jo Calvert 12:59pm August 7, 2013)
Anxious to see why the title. I can only imagine...
(Suzanne Gonneville 4:46pm August 7, 2013)
Sounds like a compelling read.
(Rita Wray 6:00pm August 7, 2013)
I love, love, reading about many characters -- it makes the story more interesting and fun wondering what's going to happen next to whom.
(Shirley Younger 6:46pm August 7, 2013)
Thanks for the giveaway. I enjoyed your blog.
(Jamie Fortney 7:21pm August 7, 2013)
I like complicated, messy people in my books---just like in my life.
(Sue Farrell 7:38pm August 7, 2013)
I enjoy characters with messy backgrounds, it makes them more
real in my mind.
(Lisa White 10:11pm August 7, 2013)
Most of us do have messy lives, it's nice to escape into a fictional setting.
(Teresa Miller 10:17pm August 7, 2013)
It's funny, but your story shows just why I am so able to keep a positive attitude in my daily job as a children's services social worker in a family court setting. I don't take any negative behavior personally without first being 100% sure that it truly is aimed and (and earned) by me. My clients are usually not happy to see me, and are normally stressed tot he max BEFORE they meet me. I've never thought about parlaying this skill into writing about people or experiences. Thanks for the lesson.
(Donna Holmberg 10:21pm August 7, 2013)
I think that it is the imperfect, human elements to a
character that make them feel real to me as I read a story.
(G. Bisbjerg 11:53pm August 7, 2013)
What a great title! Can't wait to read it!
(May Pau 9:59am August 8, 2013)
Until I went through my own share of hardships, I didn't give people the extra attention I should have. I always put myself in their shoes, but never wondered what their lives could be like until a few years ago. Now I wonder, while I'm standing there in their shoes, and I've mellowed a little more than I used to be. It's amazing when you talk to people, that you find out how messy their lives are, too!! When you realize that everyone has some little mess in their lives, and others have a bigger mess, it's easier to take a step back before you react to someone - be it being nasty or being nice. We're all in the same boat - it's just that some of us have a bigger leak, and are trying to bail it out a little harder. I'd love to read your book, and find out your take on people as well. It's hard for me to describe how I've dealt with people, which I've tried to do with kid gloves as best I've could.
(Peggy Roberson 11:30am August 8, 2013)
Human nature is never understood. Like for example, a fellow co-worker of mine worked in the same section where I work. A friend of her has a lower title than she does and keep believing that my co-worker could afford everything without realizing that my co-worker has a two mortgages to paid, a student loan and financing her daughter's tuition.
People just tend to judge without realizing the whole pictures.
(Kai Wong 11:38pm August 8, 2013)
WE are a messy lot, but interesting for it.
(Mary Preston 7:37am August 9, 2013)
People always have a lot of layers and sides to their personalities; someone who gets on your bad side for something might be very likeable in other situations.
(Clare O'Beara 8:38am August 9, 2013)
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