Storyteller's Journey

The Summer of '26
 

After our spring trip to Scandinavia, we spent most of our summer close to home. The black-tailed deer herd that resides on our property is always a joy to behold.

Spending time with our sweet granddaughter Adeline is one of our favorite things to do. She's very curious and loves to be outdoors. She also loves to be creative. The day I took this photo Adeline had another art lesson with her oil-painter grandfather, Michael. 

🥀

Speaking of oil painting, serving as a model for my husband is something I regularly do. Believe me, I'm the last person who should be a model! (Pictured here: Victoria in Blue Dress - 12 X 16 - Michael Lindstrom.) 

Attending the summer concerts of MIDNIGHT THEORY was also something we enjoyed doing. Our son, David, plays the bass guitar for the band. (He's pictured on the far left.) Great music!

Catching up with my longtime friend, Laura, is always special. She has an English degree from UCLA and is a former editor for a NYC magazine - she keeps me on my toes! We enjoyed a luncheon not far from her riverside home.

In August we travelled to Olympia, WA, to visit my cousin Jill, and her husband, Mike. Since they live in the Bremerton area, and we live in SW Washington, meeting in the middle works well. So much fun!

Later in August, I took my dear friend and book formatter, Kriston, out to lunch along the Columbia River. It was a great way to celebrate the publication of my new novel A VIGIL IN VENICE.
 

Obviously, this is a blog about my writing journey, and yes, I wrote a lot this summer! So far, the first draft of book 4 of The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle is over half done. Stay tuned for more updates!

Storyteller's Journey

Photo credit: CNN

Never Forget

Twenty-five years ago today, America changed forever. It was one of those days that was not only horrendous, but that defined our collective view of the world forever. Many have compared it to the attack on Pearl Harbor in 1941. I've blogged about 9/11 many times, but the post that still resonates with me, was when I wrote about my visit to the 9/11 Memorial and Museum in New York City over a decade ago. Click here to read that post.

Remembering and honoring all those who lost their lives on that day, and years later. May their memories be a blessing.

Book Release

It's Book Release Day!

When I first envisioned my time-travel middle grade series about a young protagonist named Livvi Biddle, it was back in 2012! Now, the third book in the series is finally being released! It's taken two extensive trips to Europe, a ton of online research, the reading of numerous books, and the collaboration of a number of talented and creative partners. 
(Not the least of which was my fine artist husband, Michael Lindstrom.)

Click here, if you're interested in purchasing my latest novel.

As always, thanks for your continued support!

Storyteller's Journey

It's Summertime!

After a busy spring, it feels like summer crept up on me. That being said, after Independence Day, I'll begin drafting book four in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle. Consequently, I'll be taking my usual summer break from blogging; I'll be back in September just in time to announce the release of A Vigil in Venice - Book 3.

Stay tuned for news on the release of A Vigil in Venice!

I recently returned from my Scandinavian Adventure, where among other things, I did a bit of research for my next book. I've included a few photos in my recent newsletter. 

Click here to read the quarterly newsletter to learn about the trip and other author news.

Wishing each of you a fantastic summer season!

For all the fathers and father figures out there: Happy Father's Day!

Storyteller's Journey

Public Domain Photo

Most of my blog posts for Storyteller's Journey include the daily routine of my life as a writer. But nearly every year, I go on an actual trip. I'll be stepping away from my blog while my husband and I visit Scandinavia.

After a brief stay in Denmark, we'll travel to Sweden. We'll visit friends in Eslov, I'll do some research at Varnhem Abbey in Skara, we'll travel to Stockholm, and later, we'll visit the Lindstrom Family ancestral home near Mora. This is also where the Anders Zorn Museum is located, which we're anxious to visit.

After leaving Sweden, we'll travel to Oslo, Norway, and take the Norway in a Nutshell Tour to Bergen. One set of my maternal great-grandparents emigrated from that area. (I also had a set of French great-grandparents, and two sets of British great-grandparents.)

I'll be sure to post about the trip and how it ties in to Book Four of 
The Time Travel Tales of LIVVI BIDDLE!

By the way, I'm all set with some reading material for our trip!

Storyteller's Journey

If you follow this blog, even occasionally, you're aware that I'm working on a seven-book fantasy series for middle grade readers. It's called The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle.

The third novel in the series is entitled, A Vigil in Venice. It will be released this autumn.

If you'd like to learn about the inspiration for the series or view the book covers and trailers for each book, check out my blog page: LIVVI BIDDLE.

If you'd like to visit my website, click here: www.victorialindstrom.com 

You can also subscribe for my quarterly newsletter on my website!

Storyteller's Journey

The Path to an Enriched Existence

Nature has long been my main muse when it comes to writing. Since I write stories for children, it's probably no surprise. Memories of hiking, bicycling, and swimming at a local lake are never far from my mind when I'm enjoying Mother Nature.

The photo above, is of a pond in our Common Area that I enjoy visiting. Now that it's spring, spending time there certainly reminds me of sunny days as a child in the out of doors. It also inspires new ideas for my children's book series, since my protagonist, Livvi Biddle, spends loads of time in the natural world. With our society so enthralled with cell phones, streaming sites, and artificial intelligence, it behooves all of us to encourage children to spend more time with Mother Nature.

Science has proven that spending even a little bit of daily time in nature improves not only our physical health, but also our mental health. It reduces stress and enhances happiness. Mother Nature also provides us with a sense of satisfaction and gratitude for our lives.

With everyone seeking the secret to an abundant life, spending time in the natural world is really the path to an enriched existence. Spending time in the out of doors with the children in your life is one of the best gifts you can give to them. (In addition to reading to them, of course!)

"It seems to me that the natural world is the greatest source of excitement: the greatest source of visual beauty, the greatest source of intellectual interest. It is the greatest source of so much in life that makes life worth living." Sir David Attenborough He turns 100 today!