At heart, I’m a creature of simple comforts. 
The things I’m most attached to are my memories.
Like most authors, I have a vivid imagination (probably too vivid – seeing as how I spend my days finding new and inventive ways to my kill my imaginary friends). Anything can trigger a memory, and almost everything does.
I wouldn’t want it any other way.
When I think about writing, I think about peaceful days on the couch putting words on the page and evenings under the glow of aquarium lights (trust me – they’re all the wattage I need when the sun goes down).
When I think about Christmas, it’s joy and lights and family and home.
Memories bring me comfort, excite me to work, and encourage me to persevere when I’m feeling down. They also inspire me to create more of them – to increase the experiential stores on which I draw so many times a day.
Like some of my debutante sisters, I had a difficult time deciding what I would write about this week. I’m bound by so many loving ties that it’s hard to choose just one. I’ve told you about my family, my seahorse tank, and my penchant for offing imaginary friends. I’ve mentioned my love of turkeys and all things pun. My ninja detective, Hiro Hattori, and his Jesuit sidekick Father Mateo have also become a much-loved part of my life (and good thing, too, because Minotaur has me under contract for two more ninja detective mysteries after CLAWS OF THE CAT.)
But ultimately, for me, the most effective ties are the ones that forge a chain of memory in my mind.
One might argue that it’s memories and experiences that create our attachments to other things. In my case, at least, I think that’s very true. 
That attachment to memories is one reason I’m so excited to read Dana Bate’s upcoming novel, The Girls’ Guide to Love and Supper Clubs (Which releases in the UK TODAY as THE SECRET SUPPER CLUB). Food inspires some of my happiest and most comforting memories – as well as some very funny ones – and I love the idea of basing a book on a secret dinner club (and there’s a rumor that she’s included recipes…)
What about you?
Do your memories enhance your attachments to other things? Does this time of year trigger special memories for you? Are you looking forward to reading Dana’s book? It’s open season in the comments – tell me about YOUR ties that bind!
I’m absolutely looking forward to reading Deb Dana’s book!
Each book I read provides a new set of memories to enjoy at my leisure. I love that about reading.
I love that about books too, Linda! I think it’s one reason why I read so many of them more than once.
Memories *definitely* enhance my attachments to other things. Music does this for me in a major way. If I hear a song that I listened to in college or during a particularly happy or sad time, I’m taken right back to that moment, at least until the song is over. Music is so powerful that way!
Music does that for me too! There are some songs that take me right back to those times and places – including some rather odd ones. I have a memory involving “Shout” that takes me to Venice Beach on a cloudy day – and also involves green apple jelly bellies. It’s the weirdest memory, but EVERY time I hear that song I’m right back there.
Very good point. If we couldn’t remember anything about an object it would be difficult to be attached to it! But I”m like that for example. Take Lord of the Rings – I was on bus during a college band tour (I played the tuba). And the trombone player was reading LOTR. I thought it looked good. He lent me the first book. Life changed forever… really, it did. 🙂 Love the memory of that.
What a great memory. And can I say, I love that you played the tuba? I always thought the tuba looked super cool. But then, I played the flute … mostly because it was light enough to carry to school with minimal effort.
I have a lousy memory–so I totally rely on objects, foods, sounds, smells–to bring back meaningful moments. I’ve especially imbued memory into my shoes, of all things. I can tell you where I bought every pair, how much I paid (really, that is bonkers) and to what important events I’ve worn them. And I definitely have ‘Christmas’ shoes–ie: closed-toe uber-high heels I reserve for parties on cold days, that have been to New Year’s Eve parties around the world. At first blush this kind of sex-and-the-city-style repository for memories may seem like a shallow one, but I like to think each pair of shoes were my contact to the place I stood in that moment in time, both literally and figuratively.
Also I really like shoes.
Actually, I think that’s really cool about the shoes. I WANT to like shoes, but the reality is that I’m a health and safety hazard in heels, and I spend most of my time barefoot. Ironically, though I actually DO remember where I bought my two favorite pairs of shoes (both sandals, both acquired at the same time because I shop like a guy – “I like that, give me one in both colors and we’re done here.”), and how much I paid for them. I don’t think it’s a shallow repository for memories at all – in fact, I think it’s pretty neat.
What a great post!
This time of year I always remember the tree my mom used to put up when we were kids, and the antique tinsel she’d lay on each branch. It was so delicate that it would sway gently with each breath I took as I’d lie beneath that tree and dream about what my presents would be.
Thanks for sharing 🙂
Have a great evening,
Tamara
Thanks Tamara – and thanks for sharing your memory. I love antique tinsel – and the image of lying beneath the tree dreaming of your presents is awesome.
I cannot wait to read Dana’s book!!! And what a lovely post. I do think that memories are important, they tether us to the past, which helps us move forward!
Exactly, Amy! The memories are like little links in the chains that make us who we are, and give us an anchor from which we can progress!