This may sound entirely strange, but sometimes I write my books, and sometimes they write me. Mostly I’m talking about my characters. Sometimes I think them up, but sometimes they come and find me and pound on my head to be let out.
Really weird, I know.
And even stranger: I feel like writing them a letter. So here goes.
First, with love to Morgan and Elsie (aka Grandma): WOW! You are doing all sorts of cool things and going places I never knew you’d go. Someone called you “contrived and unconvincing,” but someone else called you “funny, frank,[and] profane-but-literate,” so we’ll keep the second comment and throw out the first. You guys rock. And I owe you.
Second, with deep deep belief to Gabe, John, and Paige: hold on. Amy and I love you. Keep listening to music. Hold on to Elvis (well, not you, Paige, you hold on to Gabe).
Third, with happiness to Ray and Callie: stop making me crazy! Your story is going in seventyeleven simultaneous directions, and I can’t hold it together. But you two are awesome (even in the face of Evil Keisha). I can’t wait to see what’s next, even if I can’t control you.
Fourth, with great anticipation to Haven and Marty; Ian, Ivy, and Darcy; and Taliesin: I know it sucks to wait, and I’m getting there, I promise. Ray and Callie sort of cut in line. : ( But your time is coming, swear to God.
Fifth: Ed! Martha! I know you’re in there–I see you. I need an artist to deal with you, and some idea of how a graphic novel works as well how as a middle grade novel works (or maybe a chapter book). I’m a little stuck in YA right now. Sorry.
OK, my imaginary peeps: I love you. Thanks for sticking with me. Thanks for making my life incredibly fun.
Kirstin