Of Differences and Similarities by Bonnie Le Hamilton

 

The name of this blog is lifeasmirrortwins, it started as a way to answer the often-asked question of what it is like to be a twin. And right now, it seems a little hard to talk about that subject when Konnie and I don’t live in close proximity to each other.

When we lived close together all sorts of things happened because we are identical. Like the salesclerks at the local grocery store who thought there was only one of us, but that we had two different families!

And of course, there was always the times when someone approached me thinking I’m her, but that once happened when she lived in Idaho and I lived in Washington. And the one thing that always got to me is when we went out together; we always turned heads. Sometimes I want to ask people, “Haven’t you seen twins before?”

They always seem to act like seeing a couple of carbon copy people wondering about is a unique experience.

We aren’t the only identical twins in the world!

There’s several other sets in our family alone. Let me remind you of the family reunion where someone asked if we were having a twin convention.

And it isn’t like we are totally identical. People who know us can tell us apart easily. Though I might point out that our father never could tell us apart and our stepmother could. Then again, our mother mixed up regularly too. In point of fact, when she enrolled us in school for the first time she asked us which one of us was Konnie and which one was Bonnie.

So let me point out some differences between us.

Number one, Konnie is a natural lefty. In our early school years teachers were always forcing her to use her right hand when she naturally wanted to use her left. These days she is ambidextrous. I’ve always been a righty.

We are mirror twins.

Number two, Konnie has never had the issues I have with pain pills and anesthesia. I should point out her youngest son has the same problems I have. Turns out our problem is often associated with being on the spectrum. Go figure.

But even before we knew I was on the spectrum, we realized that difference. I can recall a time when Konnie called me and I answered saying I just took some Tylenol; she answered, “Okay, I’ll call back later.”

She knew I was half asleep already.

And I’m the one who has had trouble coming out of anesthesia after a procedure.

Konnie has no issues.

Difference number three is her love for fantasy. Yes, I have read some fantasy novels. I happen to be a fan of both Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, and I have read Chronicles of Narnia (after years of Konnie insisting, I should read it) but I haven’t read The Hobbit or anything like it, let alone any of the other fantasy novels she loves.

Konnie reads lots of fantasy. She’s also got a fantasy she’s writing.

Not my wheelhouse.

I’d like to say instead I’m into science fiction, unlike her, but that would be a lie, since she has a science fiction series which is fantastic, if she would just finish editing it.

We both grew up watching Star Trek after all.

And we both like romance novels. Though Konnie is completely unable to write anything that comes anywhere close to steamy. It’s still on the sweet side; I can manage, barely.

The only thing I’ve written that she’s never written is a speculative fiction, but it isn’t like that was my goal writing that story. I thought I was writing another sweet romance. Go figure.

Difference number four is that I’ve written or at least started dozens more stories than she has. I have in fact started two science fiction stories. The one which is a series for which I’ve started book two and the other is a standalone.

Konnie has her sci-fi series, her fantasy, and several romance stories, one of which is two book series. I have my speculative fiction novel, a large array of romance stories, my sci-fi series and my one standalone sci-fi. Oh, several of my romance stories are part of a series as well.

Essentially, we both have two series in the works. One each in LDS romance and one each in science fiction even, but the stories are way different, I promise!

At any rate, we may look alike, but we are two different people with different personalities and temperaments.

Anyway, happy writing, everyone!