A Cheery Disposition

It's been more than a year since I made a new blog entry, and for that, I deeply apologize.

This time, I have been writing. I released my second book in the Portals series last summer, and am currently working on a separate book. I will begin work on the third Portals book later this year, and it should be released sometime in 2020. I had to switch gears away from Abby Hereford and her quest to thwart evil for now, as I was getting a little burned out and the story of Miss Norma Fitzhugh was knocking (loudly) on my door. That book should be out sometime before Halloween.

(I am all caught up with Supernatural, by the way. I'm sad to see one of my favorite shows come to a close, but Sam, Dean, and Castiel will always have a place in my heart.)

So, today's blog is about Millie, who has made an impression upon several people, most especially my daughter. Mildred's bubbly personality and fierce loyalty are certainly fun to write. In the first book, we are introduced to Abby's best friend as their class valedictorian and head cheerleader. I, personally, wanted to squash the stigma that cheerleaders are vapid and lacking any personal depth.

I was a cheerleader.

Cheering is more difficult than most realize, and it fit her character well. Millie is athletic, enthusiastic, self-driven, ambitious, works well in a team setting, and is devoted to her people, whether those people are her friends and family, or a football team.

Is she a little self-absorbed? Yes.
Is she a little "over the top" sometimes? Also, yes.
Is she stupid? Absolutely not.

In Millie's mind, she likes to be the best at everything she does. She always looks and smells nice when she walks out of the house. She is athletically and scholastically competitive and will train/study as long as it takes to improve herself in that respect. (I remain hopeful that she will, sooner or later, apply that to her driving skills.) She prides herself on being accurate and fair in everything she does, as she sees her work as an extension of herself; whatever she puts out in the universe represents who she is, so she puts her best self forward.

She values quality over quantity and accepts nothing less than the absolute best. Millie is also a big believer in doing what is right for the bigger picture; she often puts her own needs and wants on hold for the betterment of the Greater Good. She is well aware of her privileged upbringing and is always happy to give to those in need, whether it's time, money, encouragement or fabulous (read: last-season) attire.

She is certainly the Valkyrie from whom she is descended.

Go Road Runners!