A to Z Challenge Blog 2024 The Letter Q

Posted bySusanne MatthewsPosted inUncategorized

When I got to this letter, I was tempted to write about the mischievous, god-like character Q in Star Trek, the one forever getting the crews of the various ships he visits into trouble. I’ve given my latest anti-hero a few of his qualities–after all, the book is paranormal– but I’ve chosen to write about another q word.

I considered quest, quiet, qualities, even quintessential, but decided on questions–rhetorical questions that is, questions the characters ask themselves as they search for meaning in what happens around them.

Everyone know that a plot must answer the 5 Ws plus 1: who, what, where, when, why, and how. I am a huge asker of questions. I think some of that comes from my years of teaching when so much revolved around my asking the questions and students providing the right answers. Sometimes they did, sometimes they didn’t.

In my personal life, I’m always questioning the things I do, the things I don’t do, and more importantly, the things I should’ve done and failed to do. I don’t expect anyone to answer the questions, but usually asking them brings me a greater understanding of life around me.

And so, in my novels, part of my voice, my writing style involves my characters asking themselves questions about motivation, other characters, situations, and what to do or not to do. Rhetorical questions aren’t asked to get information but rather to get someone thinking or to make a point.

For example, Am I being an idiot? I don’t expect an answer, but you get the gist.

Today’s songs are all about questions.

That’s it for Q and questions. Come back tomorrow for the letter R

Check out blog posts from other participants here: https://tinyurl.com/w54yupwe

Published by Susanne Matthews

Hi! I live in Eastern Ontario. I'm married with three adult children and five wonderful grandchildren. I prefer warm weather, and sunshine but winter gives me time to write. If I’m listening to music, it will be something from the 1960s or 1970s. I enjoy action movies, romantic comedies, but I draw the line at slasher flicks and horror. I love science fiction and fantasy as well. I love to read; I immerse myself in the text and, as my husband says, the house could fall down around me, and I’d never notice. My preferences are as varied as there are genres, but nothing really beats a good romance, especially one that is filled with suspense. I love historical romance too, and have read quite a few of those. If I’m watching television, you can count on it being a suspense — I’m not a fan of reality TV, sit-coms, or game shows. Writing gives me the most pleasure. I love creating characters that become real and undergo all kinds of adventures. It never ceases to amaze me how each character can take on its own unique personality; sometimes, they grow very different from the way I pictured them! Inspiration comes from all around me; imagination has no bounds. If I can think it, imagine it, I can write it!

8 thoughts on “A to Z Challenge Blog 2024 The Letter Q”

  1. Oh Susanne! You had to include Elvis today. My heartthrob from yesterday. Note his multitude of tiny facial expressions. And then his voice. All of it still gets me! I feel energized enough now to get out of my chair and get to my work for today. I’ll ask Alexa to play some more Elvis.

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    1. Elvis is one of my all-time favorite authors. I often listen to him when I’m working. His rendition of How Great Thou Art never fails to move me. Back in my teen years, you could go into the movies for the matinee and the show played over and over. I recall sitting through four showings of Blue Hawaii with my girlfriend. Saw every movie and all of his specials. He was truly the King.

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