Aw, spring! I love that it’s a time of new beginnings. A breath of fresh air after a stale winter. That the hummingbirds will be returning soon and the weeds haven’t yet taken over the garden. It’s also a time of constant surprises from my favorite tiny daffodils blooming by the garage, to the first blush of rhubarb leaves pushing through in the tractor tire raised beds. Even a month ago, I found shoots of rainbow swiss chard and the forgotten onions and garlic from last year. On one warm, windless day, I even heard the maple trees humming with bees.
My first inclination when I started writing this week was to apologize for playing newsletter hooky last weekend and being late with this one. But I’m not going to because I realized that last weekend for me was like spring, shutting a door to the old and opening a window to the new.
As I explained in my short note last week, I was closing in on the final chapters of my latest round of book revisions and hated to stop. So, I powered through and about 8:30 p.m. last Sunday, I called it a book and sent it to the editor!
This time, I feel like I’ve truly finished and am ready to concentrate on the next one. That’s huge for me considering I’ve been working on Hotdog for nearly (can it be?) 20 years! I know there will likely be things to fix. But that’s okay. It’s housekeeping, not building the house. It’s putting out the Welcome mat and feeling proud to invite folks in. At last.
This week to celebrate, I started spring cleaning beginning with the office. I’m pitching things that no longer interest me so I can concentrate on the things that do. And I’m finally feeling confident enough to shred my multiple Hotdog attempts. (I’ve got a folder on my computer labeled Old Hotdogs, so why keep paper copies?) I’m also sorting, reviewing, filing or tossing stuff I’ve written over the last 35 years. And I’m making some discoveries!
Like this golden oldie from an essay I called Passion and Appliance Repair. I wrote it when I thought I was only capable of writing for adults because the writing books said writing for kids was really hard and what did I know? The essay was about our misbehaving appliances having the hots for our service repairman. (I know, I know. But bear with me.)
“…With one still in diapers and the messiest family on earth, no woman ever waited for a man’s call more ardently. Meanwhile, I thanked God for a strong breeze and a clothesline. But I chaffed as much as the baby every time I had to pin him in a white cardboard rectangle. Five hours later, I answered the phone on the first ring.
‘Frank Fitz here. You got dryer problems?’
‘Yes!’ Couldn’t he tell from the baby wailing in the background?
‘What’s it doing?’
‘Nothing besides sitting there at a jaunty angle.’
‘Is it heating?’
‘More like luke-warming…’”
I never sold that essay, but I had so much fun writing it. And it served a purpose. It helped me discover that I didn’t have to make up things to write about. Subject matter was all around me. All I had to do was tell it from my perspective. It also gave me the confidence and courage to be myself, to utilize my habit of finding the funny in life’s frustrations. It was a new beginning, my lightbulb revelation that I could write humor. But it took several more years and a wise editor to point out I could write it for kids, too.
Now that Hotdog is out the door, it’s back to the trenches…er…office and there’s still a lot to do. But gosh it feels good to be doing it. Spring has sprung and I’m on my way with the next novel.
Hugs,
Dale
Newsletter News
I’ve finally ordered in more book marks and will be giving away three to make up for the months I haven’t given out prizes. Friday, I’ll be drawing from all those who have commented so far this year.
I’m also looking for more artwork. If you or your kiddos have anything you’d like to share here, email me a description and a picture. Thanks!
Substack has as new feature that allows us to have a subscriber chat in this space. I’m going to read up on it this week and see if I can make it work here. I’m looking forward to giving it a try and seeing what you all have to say. Have a good week.
Remembering Our Pets
Nancy Bauer of Girard, Kansas shared a memory of her dog, Rudy. “My sweet Rudy. Lost him almost two years ago and still miss him every day.”
Thank you for sharing, Nancy, and thanks for the memories, Rudy.
FYI- If you’d like me to share about your pet in this space, feel free to send me a few sentences and a picture.
Love your writing