A Novel With Pedestrian Characters

Usually the characters of a novel are considered to be a bit boring if they are described as "pedestrian," but the leading lady and man in my story are pedestrians who travel on foot, and this mode of transportation can be quite exciting.  Why is walking, biking, or taking the bus seen as a lack of independence in the United States?  On many programs I hear people complain about how they had to drive an adult friend or family member around town, but they never thought of getting that person a bike, or showing them how to read a transit map.  Actually, being a pedestrian means you have to be very good with directions, and there is no room for error.  When you are riding the bus in Los Angeles you definitely have to be good with directions, and I have family members who love to drive that call me on how to get places.

So even though the majority of people want to drive, there are always going to be people who prefer to walk.  Many people in New York take public transit and walk all the time, and I have always thought that city's emphasis walkablity was a good thing.

If you decide to walk or bike people always ask why, but they never consider to think you just see no point to driving.  Maybe some day the falsehood that people cannot get around without a car will fade away, and I know fellow pedestrians probably get tired of people always asking when they are going to get their driver's license.  After a certain age people will finally stop asking that question, but sometimes people without have do have driver's licenses and just prefer walking over driving.  I can walk three miles in about forty minutes, so for me this is the perfect workout.  I do not have to pay for a car maintenance or a gym membership, so walking is the way to travel for me.

In many novels we have characters working on their cars or talking about their cars, but rarely do we have characters who abandon their cars in favor of walking.  My novel is not all about pedestrians in general, but I felt I wanted to write about characters I could identify with.  I remember years ago meeting one guy who said I needed to drive so he could have something to talk with me about, and then I no longer wanted to talk with him.  I have no interest in cars beyond the fact these are devices that get people places, and I know a lot of people who drive that feel the same way.  Not everyone is excited by a flashy ride, and I felt it was about time to have two leading characters that also feel this way.

Walking On City Trails

Walking on a city trail.

Use Google maps to find city trails and sidewalks for walking in your city. Many cities have wonderful places where people can walk and get fit, for free! No need to pay to use a treadmill at the gym when you can get out in nature and admire birds and flowers.

Capturing Beauty During A Sunset Walk

The other day I captured the beauty of Southern California during my sunset walk.

Walking Six Miles In The Rain

A six mile round trip walk in the Southern California rain can be enjoyable once or twice a month, but I sure hope it stops raining sometime tonight  Also, as I was walking today I had to be more careful than on dry days because cars were hydroplaning, and some motorists tend to be more aggressive during rainstorms.  A few did not even want to stop for the pedestrians at the walking light, but there is nothing new about that.  Walking is a work out in itself, and on a raining day you have to be very vigilante for your safety.  One thing I recommend is a good structured umbrella and a warm coat as the regalia needed for staying dry and warm while walking during heavy rainstorms.

Walking Around In January

These pictures were taken last week on my walk after the snow fall in the local mountains. The temperature was unusually cold that day, at around 40 degrees in the afternoon, but the clouds and snow capped mountains made for the most splendid photographing opportunities. Also, the palm trees look amazing with sunlight reflecting through, and creating a hazy effect that was achieved without photo editing software.

Flat Shoes For Comfort

Flat shoes are one of the best things you can wear for comfort, and these can be very cute as well.  You will not catch practical pedestrians wearing high heels, and honestly I stopped wearing heels of any kind when I realized I look just as cute in flats
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What If You Do Not Want A Driver's License?

Do you hate having to explain this to people who think driving is the only way to get around?   The good news that attitudes towards being a pedestrian are actually changing, and if you live in an urban area you are more likely to have access to good public transportation.  Also, you can plan things out so you are within walking distance of most things you want to see and do, and walking and biking to commute are very viable options today.

So are you tired of people asking you why you do not have a driver license?  The good news you are not obligated to explain this to people, and the incessant busy bodies will stop inquiring if you never bring it up.

Living in an urban area means you might even connect with fellow pedestrians as well. Besides, walking and biking are great work outs and save on the gym bill.  Pedestrians are green to begin with, and we are greener than people who own smart cars.  This is not about being smug, and I have nothing against people who choose to drive, but the truth is when I was younger I felt grilled by people who believed driving was the only way to get around.

If you are tired of being told that you have to get a license and a car, then stop feeling like you have to do this.  I think being an introvert made being a pedestrian less of a stretch for me because I have always pretty much done my own thing, and I never really tried to live up to social expectations.