You want your readers to be so wrapped up in your world that they’re not even aware that you, the writer, exist.
From Self-editing for Fiction Writers | How to edit yourself into print, Renni Browne and Dave King, Second edition, Harper Collins Publishers
It’s lonely without my Tom! The only living creatures in my apartment are two small houseplants that sit close by on my bookshelf. One looks vibrant, the other a bit depressed.
So, I’ve been shopping online for small critters, parakeets and guinea pigs. I learned that their tiny persons, cages and paraphernalia add up to a lot. If I weren’t planning to publish my fairy tale book, I could do this. Maybe someday I will live with tiny squeals and chirps. I hope so!
I guess it’s time to be content with African violets drinking in sunlight on my bookshelf and giving me their faint, shy scent.
1 Timothy 6:6 NASB95 — But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment.
Until I find my pace, a few posts from my previous blog will appear here. This is one, a poem that showcases things we’re looking for when we read fairy tales.
Beyond things and certain kinds of characters, we want an entertaining journey that takes us from curiosity to excitement, from suspense – and sometimes horror – to joy and relief!
In fairy tales we find
things quaint, sweet,
or unexpected.
In fairy tales we find
things profound
or horrible,
wheelbarrows filled with
toads and gems,
lions and hares,
an ogre’s castle,
fog and mist,
starlight, ships’ lanterns,
enchanted isles,
a forest not nicked by an axe,
a magical spyglass, tower,
and rope made from
Rapunzel’s yellow hair.
It’s time to make a fresh start – a new blog linked to my author website. For soon my book of fairy tales re-imagined will be published.
Fairy Tale Workshop ~ Maria Ott Tatham
To do this without Tom – who was my Alpha reader and second pair of eyes – is rough.
At 75, I’ve lost many people and things. Some losses are temporary, others permanent. I’ve been parted from my Dad and Mother and other dear family – cousins, uncles, and aunts – friends, darling pets, and my health.
Nothing compares to losing Tom, my husband of 47 years. I’m suffering the loss of a man who suffered himself a lot over the years, then for a short time acutely and was gone. He was an affectionate, opinionated, thoughtful, logical, talented, grumpy, skillful, friendly but shy man.
Gone to Heaven, praise God! To be with His Lord and Savior, of Whom he always felt and knew himself unworthy. Thank the Lord there are no more losses and suffering for Tom, and that my loss of him is temporary!
