Storyteller's Journey

A Message of Love

With so much turmoil and trouble in our world, what better day, than today to be reminded of the importance of love? While St. Valentine's Day is usually thought of as a romantic day, I'm choosing to reflect on the need we all have for love, in whatever form it's delivered.

In the last few months, I can't recall the number of times my husband and I have said, "Thank God for Adeline!" 2024 was a challenging year, and it seems that 2025 has gotten off to a troublesome start as well. But when our first grandchild, Adeline Joy arrived last October, she was like a shining star that burst into our world, and she continues to brighten our lives. Choosing to focus on our blessings, rather than our challenges is always the best path to trod. However, that's easier said than done.

In a world full of chaos and complexities, this quote by F. Scott Fitzgerald is worth remembering. While I have definite views on the current events of our day, how I handle them might be different than many of my dear friends. As a person of faith, I see the world from the 30,000-foot view. Some of the answers to our immediate challenges may not be quickly resolved, unfortunately. Whatever the beliefs we each hold dear, I believe that we can all agree:

Love is the best way, even if sometimes tough love is required.

Happy Valentine's Day!

Storyteller's Journey

Pursuing my own Path

When I first began writing in earnest, nearly twenty years ago, I had no idea where that path would take me. But like so many things in my life, it was to be unconventional.

I took college courses, attended writers' conferences, joined critique groups and book clubs. I queried numerous literary agents; I received numerous rejections. All in all, I learned a lot.

However, it wasn't until I launched out on my own that I really became a writer. A scribe that wrote from my own heart, about things that interested me; I was no longer concerned about what the market wanted. That's not to say that I didn't follow numerous rules about all sorts of things necessary to be a professional author. But it does mean that I chose the subject matter, the book covers, etc. I even formed my own boutique publishing company: Thistleberry Books. I worked with a printing house that does work for the "Big Five" publishing houses. Again, I learned a lot. 

In 2014, my artist husband, Michael, and I traveled to Europe, visiting four countries. While we were in Italy, France, England, and Scotland, I did research for my book series, while Michael did plein air paintings. That trip was not only memorable, but it has also provided me with material as I continue to create The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle.

Over the years, I've met dozens of writers hoping to get published; most never do. It's not easy obtaining an agent to represent your work, let alone be a champion for your stories. However, what I've realized is that for me it wasn't just about getting published; it really has been about creating stories. I live in the settings I create every day. It's what I do with my life: craft books for children. So, while some days I lament the fact that I never obtained an agent, I wouldn't change a thing. The freedom I have to create what I want, when I want, is something I truly cherish. I've learned I can do way more than I ever thought I could.

Storyteller's Journey

Work in Progress Update

After a busy and emotional holiday season, it feels good to get back to my routine. Thankfully, the revision of book II in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle is finally complete. My first draft of Nimbus over Normandy was written closer to a polished draft than I'd remembered.
I'll be sending my editor (my son) my manuscript today. Since he's busy with his own manuscript, and developing video games, I need to give him plenty of time to complete my edits. 

Presently, I'm doing a bit of additional research reading for book III in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle Series. After that, I'll craft a detailed outline for that novel. I'll be posting more on that very soon. 

If you're interested in following all of my book news, subscribe to my quarterly newsletter on my contact page at www.victorialindstrom.com 

Storyteller's Journey

The Healing Power of Nature

"There is something infinitely healing in the repeated refrains of nature."

Rachel Carson
 

Recently, I had the time to wander through the "Common Area" in our neighborhood. It always seems so quiet, especially in winter. The magic and majesty of nature always soothes my soul.

On this visit, I walked down a path I rarely tread. This red barn seemed to say, "Stop and look at me!" So, I did. Its bright color seemed to pop against the neutral colors of winter.

Though we had horses and ponies when I was a child, I'm by no stretch of the imagination an equestrian. Still, seeing these beautiful creatures brought back memories of my childhood.

In nearly every challenging time of my life, I have found my way back by spending time in nature. I'm incredibly grateful that in this chapter of my life, I live in such a beautiful natural setting.

"When Nature's finery is wiped away by Winter its raw beauty is revealed." Victoria Lindstrom

Storyteller's Journey

Objects in our Lives, 
Objects in our Stories

As I continue to mourn the passing of my mother, I've found that I find comfort in looking at some of the objects she passed on to me. This old copy of the children's book, Heidi, is the actual book I first read as a child. My mom said, "this is the first big girl book you're going to read - take care of it." (It doesn't look like I heeded her instructions!)

Consequently, this book is one of my most prized possessions. It was given to my mom by her first-grade teacher, when my mom was in fifth grade, in 1945. Little did Emily Elfstrom realize at the time, that eighty years later Sheila's daughter would hold the book so close to her heart.

That's the thing about keepsake possessions; their true value is always given to them by the humans that own them. We cherish them for the memories they conjure up and the people they bring to mind, not for their monetary value. It's almost like they hold a bit of our loved ones within their substance. In a strange way, they're like J.K. Rowling's horcruxes, only in a super positive light.

When I first began to write my series, The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle, I realized that I wanted to include special objects in my story for a similar reason. An antique locket, an old tome, and a sibylline scroll. Objects give an authenticity to our tales, especially if they're close to our protagonist. (If they're magical, all the better!)

This Japanese jewelry box is another object my mother gave to me. My father brought it back to Coronado, CA (where I was later born) from Okinawa when he was in the U.S. Navy during the Korean War. My mother loved it.

Keepsake objects have a way of holding our loved ones near to us. 

What objects do you cherish?

Storyteller's Journey

A Moment to Mourn

It's been three weeks since I last posted anything here on Writ of Whimsy. In that short amount of time, my family buried my mother, there's been a terrorist attack in New Orleans, unprecedented urban fires hit Los Angeles, and yesterday our nation said goodbye to an extraordinary public servant, the 39th  President of the United States, Jimmy Carter. 
(Roses in Blue Vase by Michael Lindstrom - 20 X 16 Oil on panel. Not for sale.)

It seems that tragic events are to be our lot, at least for a time. For anyone that is having trouble dealing with it all, I would share this:

"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not a mark of weakness, but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are the messengers of overwhelming grief, of deep contrition and of unspeakable love." Washington Irving

To fully recover, we must express our grief through mourning.