Hola!
Welcome to Fall! While I love the smell of the cool, crisp air, pumpkin bars with cream cheese frosting, and the explosion of leaf color, the kicker is that winter is waiting in the wings.
The new PJ book is coming along and still in manuscript form, but I'm so excited about it.
The setting is Tucson, Arizona. PJ and Spidey travel by train from the midwest to their cousin's ranch to meet their desert family. Initially, the duo finds the harsh desert heat and cultural diversity a challenge. But they learn and grow on this vacation and, as they do, it's a fun trip for us, too!
Writing consumed me from sunrise to sunset last week. I even made dinner with the manuscript in my hand and carried the story and a red pen to the treadmill with me.
I struggled with whether to write the book with sparse narrative, which is popular right now, or in rhyme. So, I did both. First, in narrative form; then, in poems. But, rhyme won out, because you tell me that's what you like. And, I love rhyme, too. It's soothing. And this one is funny!
Much thought went into age-appropriate words for this book before I realized that age-appropriate words don't matter so much. Children may not fully understand what a word means, but their little minds grasp context. Sometimes, they just like the sound of a new word that's funny or unusual.
Once re-writing, re-thinking, and word-smithing is complete, I'll turn the manuscript over to my incredible illustrator, Ivy Hinrichs, to do her Disney-like magic. Then, we'll roll out the best of our work for you to enjoy.
As always, thank you for your support!
Adios!
