Preparing for my next novel.

Now that I have 57 character sketches, 86 pages of character dialogue (18, 544 words), and a map of my imaginary world... I guess I am ready to start my next novel now.

What's this next novel about, you want to know...It's a teen novel that will be a mix between literary and modern fiction.  .Setting= Houston Suburbs/ Middle School.  I could talk for hours about this book, but unless your my friend or future agent... you'll just have to wait until it's finished.  I have no doubt this book will be taught in schools one day because of the message that will be in it. 

It is sad that I can't share a clip of the dialogue or idea without feeling that it might get stolen.  Sad, sad world we live in.

Messages to Mommy

I grew up having lots of pen pals. I loved writing letters to old friends (moved alot as a kid), people that we met on vacation (I could befriend anyone), former camp mates (Especially For Youth at BYU), or just plain strangers (other kids met in AOL chat rooms). However, my favorite all time pen pal was my sister, who was one year older than me- not to be confused with the one three years older who wrote me once (shame shame shame.)

Most people don't even like their sisters, let alone write them. But, most people live with their sisters, too. I, however, was a foster kid, and me and my sisters had been separated from each other since I was nine years old - not in different homes in the same city either- think me in Florida and them in Oregon, Texas, or Virginia. So, when you can only see your sisters for two weeks, every two years...you must write (no such thing as cell phones then and long distance bills were very expensive).

So, when my seven year old daughter, Gwendolynn, could pick anyone she wanted to be pen pals with- It was adorable that she choose me. For the last four weeks she writes me a letter in a notebook, then waits for me to read it and respond. Then, she secretly writes back. Though half of what she writes I can't make out, because she is still developing her writing and spelling skills, I adore her weekly messages to mommy.