Writers pay attention to details. It’s part of our DNA. We need to notice the little things and make
sure they are included in our stories. Because if we don’t, chances are
somebody else will and ask why it’s missing. And there’s no excuse for it,
whether you call it laziness or sloppiness, it doesn’t matter. Ain’t no
excusing it.
So yesterday while out driving, I glanced down at the car in
front of me and started to laugh. Here in Michigan, like many other states, there
are vanity license plates, where for a certain fee, you can have a special
message on your vehicle. Of course there are some parameters that you have to
adhere to, such as no vulgarities or derogatory statements. I’m sure the
Secretary of State’s office here has a censor whose job is to review every
application for a vanity plate. Just in
case someone tries to slip one by.
The plate that caught my eye yesterday left no room for
misinterpretation. The maximum combination of seven letters or numbers were
utilized. There could be no mistake. The
plate read: LJGIBBS. Leroy Jethro Gibbs.
For those of you who may not follow television dramas, that’s
the name of Mark Harmon’s character on the hit series NCIS. Gibbs is a tough
investigator, a Marine sniper who grudgingly accepts the modern day talents of
his team in their efforts to solve each episode’s mystery. He’s gruff on the
outside, more prone to a slap up the back of the head than a fatherly embrace,
but his crew knows he’s got their back. And they have his.
What a great character. The whole series if filled with
memorable characters. And that’s one of my goals as a writer. To create memorable
characters that people can connect with.
Who know, maybe someday I’ll see a license plate bearing the name of one
of my team.
Here's a little old rock and roll that fits the bill.
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