Sometimes a scene writes itself. The characters start talking and I just record what they say and do. I know it’s just my subconscious speaking, but I also know the scene I wrote last week is a direct reflection of kids I knew and conversations I overheard when I was a volunteer at the Night Ministry’s Open Door shelter in Chicago.

Hopefully they come across as real to you, too. Click on the quote below to read the whole scene and then let me know if you could see these minor characters as clearly I could while writing about them.

“What’s your name?” The girl asked when Lily sat. “I’m Sugar and this here little ragamuffin—” She teased the little boy at her side by tickling his ribs until he pushed her away, giggling. “This is Ty-baby. My little Tyrone. It’s his birthday tomorrow. He be two years old soon…