Dear Readers,
One of the very best things about being a writer is that you get to make stuff up and get away with it. Most of the time, people say nice things in response like, “What an imagination!” (which is way better than, “Liar, liar, pants on fire!”). Writing can be a way of creating a world that works just the way you want it to and best yet, you get to be in charge.
When I was seven, my mom and I went to England to visit my oldest sister in college. It was my first airplane ride and I had the best time. I got a pin with wings from the flight attendant, met the pilot, and got a zillion compliments on my new Dorothy Hamill haircut (Yes, I'm that old!). You'd think such an amazing experience would offer plenty of material for a budding storyteller; no need for embellishment, right?
Except that it would be a way cooler story if – while the airplane was mid-flight – you could open the windows and touch the clouds. Can you imagine? And the clouds were soft and fluffy, like cotton candy, except that these clouds weren't just sticky pink – no, these clouds were all colors of the rainbow. And if you really wanted a closer look, you could take a stroll out on the wing of the plane, get some fresh air, and watch those rainbow clouds up close. Then a curiously intelligent bird could perch on your finger and...
This is the beginning of the whopper I told the rest of the family when I got home and instead of getting in trouble, I am happy to report that they congratulated me on such a great story.
I've had the itch to tell whoppers (and write them down) for as long as I can remember. I've also always wanted to help people, which requires that I do the exact opposite: scrupulously tell the truth. As a counselor, I work with kids and adults to help identify what isn't working well in their lives, come up with solutions, and work toward a renewed sense of hope. Sounds an awful lot like what good characters and their authors do, come to think of it.
Speaking of characters, I hope you'll keep stopping by for more information about my upcoming picture book, The Picky Little Witch which is now in stores. The main character is as spunky as she is picky, which means Mama Witch has her hands full.
Best to all of you and thank you for stopping by.
Elizabeth
Events for The Pickly Little Witch
Alexandria Story Festival, hosted by Wright to Read and Hooray for Books
http://www.wrighttoread.org/alexandria-story-festival.html
10 authors on two stages!
9/17/11
10 - 1 PM
Reading and Activity
Barnes & Noble, Potomac Yards in Alexandria, VA
3651 Jefferson Davis Highway Alexandria, VA 703-299-1924
10/22/11
1 PM
Reading, Signing, and Activity
Hooray for Books, Alexandria, VA
http://www.hooray4books.com/
10/29/11
2 PM
Reading and Activity