Dragonflies, Luck, Magic, Hemingway, and Night Watch

Hemingway House Dragonfly Fountain

Not long ago, when we arrived at our vacation condo, I was surprised to hear persistent thumping against the wide sliding glass doors that overlook a lagoon. When I went to investigate the noise, I discovered two large dragonflies crashing into the glass outside. It was as if they were trying to attract my attention.

I had to smile. For me, the dragonfly is a symbol of good luck.

Earlier in the summer, I discovered I'm not the only writer who is enamored with the dragonfly. When we entered the yard of the Hemingway House in Key West, the first thing I saw was a fountain in which a dragonfly sculpture was central. Before I snapped a large array of photographs, I sat by the little fountain for a while just studying it.

What is it about these little fast-flying creatures with the luminous wings that attracts us? For the past few months, I've noticed the symbol more and more--scarves in the Butterfly Conservatory gift shop, jewelry in catalogs, Christmas decorations. They are everywhere.

But the item that has attracted me most is a necklace created by artist Tina McCloud. When I first saw her wearing that necklace, I fell in love with it and bought it from her on the spot. Then, suddenly, I was compelled to find a place for it in the book I was writing at the time.

How could the necklace be connected to the plot of my mystery/suspense story, Night Watch, set in Trinidad? I pondered until I imagined the perfect way to create a critical tie between the heroine of my book and that necklace.

Now, I wear the necklace often, especially when I go somewhere to promote Night Watch. Wherever I wear it, perfect strangers stop to admire it and ask about it. It's another symbol to let me know that dragonflies are magical. And I feel the magic every time I see one.

Writers need magic and a lot of good luck. They need dragonflies.