Yesterday, a kind gentleman sent me a memory of childhood that transported me back into a melancholy delight. Remember the Cinderella and Thumbelina records on the old 45 portable record player? He found them!

They’re under comments on the old post … I CAN’T BE EVERYWHERE. I remembered what it felt like to be seven. I could almost feel the pigtails and ribbons in my hair again …

Thank you, Ryan!

Last spring I had a party and hung sparkly orange butterflies on the branches of the oaks in my backyard. Freezing cold, snow and harsh winds blew those butterflies all winter. They’re still hanging – finally defrosted. Just like me. I’m still hanging, too. Ready to defrost, thaw out and see the sunshine.

Another agent was kind enough to send me a note with some feedback. She says that my voice is good and I have a nice command of language (YAY!) and what I should focus on is character development and plot.

I had a beautiful little lunch with my husband downtown and ran directly to the bookstore after. I found a book, “Characters, Emotion & Viewpoint,” by Nancy Kress. So far, it’s been very helpful. Very.

I’ve already found opportunities to expound my characters feelings and thoughts. For example, after Humphrey leaves behind his Sweetie Pie family he can lament his own family. What could I do? Should I paint his mother as neglectful but quirky or outright evil? By that point in the book, she’s neglectful but odd – but I think I’ll step it up a little. Maybe do a mix of both.

To find out more, stay tuned. Or … you could request the manuscript? (wink, wink)

I rewrote the scene where Humphrey is following the Sweetie Pie family on Main Street in Disneyland. After they turn into Adventureland and then head toward the Pirates of the Caribbean, Humphrey goes into his own head thinking about how he should memorize the entire Disneyland map. Obviously, the Sweetie Pie family knew exactly where to go and didn’t need a map. And he should do the same.

So Humphrey plays with the idea that he could have a photographic memory. My research indicates that photographic memories are difficult to define. And Psychology Today says that “it’s nearly impossible to recall images with near perfect accuracy.” Sadly, I’m so far from having a photographic memory that I had to look back at that quote in the Psychology Today at least three times, just to write it in this post! Eeeek!

When Humphrey refers to having memorized the entire Disneyland map, later in the story, it will already be established that he may or may not have a photographic memory, but he sure does have a good one. That way he will be more in line with the realities concerning a photographic memory.

Someday, if my story ever gets published, some of my readers can look back at these old posts and see what was going on while I went through the editing process of my book.

Or … if I don’t ever get it published, you can just feel sorry for me because of all the work I did. I don’t mind pity. Really. But I’d much rather have the first thing happen. You know?

One of my critique partners sent me a fresh batch of revision suggestions. The scene where Humphrey escapes to Tom Sawyer’s Island has been spruced up and reads much better. Also, a couple of glitches have been worked out in the plotline. Whew!

I’ve been reading “Always Neverland” by Zoe Barton and it’s full of imagination and life. I want my book to be full of life, too. If I keep reading, keep writing and keep dreaming – maybe I’ll get there.

Someday.

Today I’ve been listening to the radio. I need some music in my life. The words that fill the pages of the stories I have written, as I look at them over and over, are becoming tired and old.

Right now, one of my books is out with five agents. And another book is being reviewed by an editor after an R&R, and also requested by one agent.

I have to stop looking at the manuscripts. The words are blending together into an incoherent mess of nothing.

Time to let them go …

Perhaps the agents or editor who reads them for the first time will see those old shabby words as fresh, bright and new. Kind of like when a friends says, “I like your dress.” And you reply, “Oh, this old thing.”

But your friend has never seen that particular dress before, so to her it looks flattering and new.

I hope that’s how the agents and editor will see my stories.

Because at this point, I can’t tell anymore.

BTW — if any agent or editor just happens to read this. I am very happy to consider any revisions or feedback you may have. I am a great reviser (if that’s even a word – I don’t know).

Here’s hoping that tomorrow a fresh delivery of vibrant words will come to all of us writers packaged in pretty, nicely wrapped contracts and offers!

Although it is spring, here in Idaho we have a lavender farm that blooms in summertime along with a festival which includes classes in everything lavender. Isn’t that neat?

The reason that I’m thinking about lavender is because my character, Humphrey, in my new middle grade novel, HUMPHREY’S SECRET KINGDOM, rides in a lavender teacup with his friend Maribel.

I did some research and some say that the lavender teacup on the Mad Hatter’s ride in Disneyland is the fastest teacup of them all. If anyone knows this to be true, please let me know.

Well, it’s getting late … so happy lavender dreams everyone!