Storyteller's Journey

 A Walk in the Woods

Earlier this week, I ventured out into our Common Area that I affectionately call, the Thirty-acre Wood. It was a dry, clear, comfortable day for a walk. It was one of those late-winter days that teases you with a hint of spring. As I've mentioned many times here on Writ of Whimsy, nature is my main muse. My husband and I thoroughly enjoyed our time out in the local countryside.

This pond is one of two that we enjoy in the Common Area. I've blogged a few times before about this extraordinary slice of nature; but seeing it through the seasons offers a new perspective each time I visit.

This lovely creek runs through the picturesque acreage. The crimson leaves still visible on the distant deciduous trees will soon be replaced with greenery with the arrival of spring.

The creek widens and deepens as it proceeds through the woods. The sun appeared briefly while we continued on our walk. It felt invigorating to be out since it had been weeks since I'd visited this beautiful hinterland.

This historic covered bridge was built in 1898 and is only accessible by residents of our local neighborhood. It allows walkers and horseback riders to enjoy both sides of the creek which makes for a nice long walk or horse ride.

Spending time in Nature always inspires my writing! 

What inspires you to create?

Storyteller's Journey

Livvi Biddle Art!

One of the most enjoyable parts of being an author, as well as a small publisher, is working with my illustrator-husband, fine artist, Michael Lindstrom. Here are a few images for the cover art and upcoming book trailer for my MG fantasy novel: A Vigil in Venice.

In each of the novels of my seven-book middle grade fantasy series, The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle, the protagonist goes back in time and meets an iconic historical figure. In Book 3 - A Vigil in Venice, that figure is Antonio Vivaldi. Since the "Red Priest" was not only a famous composer, but a violin virtuoso, this image will work well in the video book trailer. (All images copyright, Michael Lindstrom Art.)

This image will also work well for the book trailer. The Campanile, or bell tower, in the background beyond a small canal, is an icon in St. Mark's Square. It was completed over 150 years before the birth of Vivaldi. (The top image will be the insert art for my upcoming book. See the previous book covers on right.)

Stay tuned for more updates, including the book trailer!

Storyteller's Journey

Update on Livvi Biddle

As I continue to revise the manuscript for Book 3 of The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle, I also composed a flap copy description. I thought those of you who are interested in my journey as a writer might find it interesting. The time-travel portion of the middle grade novel is set in Venice, Italy. Here's the current description of A Vigil in Venice:

Traveling back in time to 18th Century Venice, Italy, turned out to be a more menacing experience than Livvi Biddle ever expected! While the girls from Chilcott's Academy of Creativity did meet Antonio Vivaldi (the famous composer and violinist) as they'd planned, what they didn't plan was to become permanent residents of the Ospedale della Pietà - an orphanage! Meanwhile, the Legion of Dark Angels were still on the hunt for Livvi Biddle; they caused havoc to the Biddle household by intimidating Sadie and Granny to reveal Livvi's whereabouts...with truly disastrous consequences. Will the girls from Steamboat Landing escape the Venetian orphanage? Can the Dark Angels be successfully dealt with? Trouble seems to follow Livvi and her pals whether they're in the present or the past!

When I traveled to Europe in 2014, Venice, Italy, was one of my favorite cities. Of all the places we visited and researched that summer, it was the spot that seemed to hold its history the most. It was as though I had stepped back in time like my protagonist! From the Venetian Lagoon to St. Mark's Square, to the extraordinary architecture, the beauty is otherworldly.  

Stay tuned for more updates, including the cover art!

Storyteller's Journey

What the World Needs Now...

Since the beginning of 2026, there have been a number of significant stories in the news - most of them negative. However, witnessing Americans defend Bad Bunny, support Savannah Guthrie's search for her missing mom, and donate to World Central Kitchen to help Gaza, have all, at least the for the moment, reminded me of the power of love.

Enjoy this timeless song from Jackie DeShannon in 1965:

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

Storyteller's Journey

My 15th Blogiversary!

Fifteen years ago this week, I began Writ of Whimsy. This is the photo I featured with my first blog post back in February 2011. In the ensuing years I've had six children's books published, moved to another town, become a grandmother, traveled to numerous countries, survived cancer, and lost loved ones. So much has happened in those fifteen years.
 

That being said, so much has remained the same. Spending time in nature is still the main inspiration for my writing. Moving to our rural property - Fern Hill - nearly five years ago, was a dream come true. During these challenging times I find refuge amongst the tall evergreen trees that surround our home.

I've learned so much about life from the beautiful black-tailed deer that live on our property. Their simple and peaceful lives remind me that contentment is found with family, friends, and Mother Nature.

To mark this anniversary milestone for my blog, I've donated to Kids for Peace. Given the dark days we're all living through right now, I felt I wanted to focus on a global organization whose mission is peace.

Storyteller's Journey

This is Not a Dystopian Novel

Brave New World, by Aldous Huxley; 1984, by George Orwell; and It Can't Happen Here, by Sinclair Lewis, are three of the most well-known dystopian novels of the 20th Century.

Lest we forget, here is the definition of Dystopian:

An imagined, often futuristic society characterized by dehumanization, oppression, fear, and misery, where life is as bad as possible.

That being made clear, what we all are living through, particularly in Minneapolis, is not a dystopian novel. The abhorrent killing, violence, lawlessness, disrespect, and chaos is really occurring, though it feels like a nightmare from which we're unable to awaken. 

For my younger followers, here are two young adult dystopian novels:

"Never be afraid to raise your voice for honesty and truth and compassion against injustice and lying and greed. If people all over the world...would do this, it would change the earth." William Faulkner 

Storyteller's Journey

An illustration by Michael Lindstrom from The Scandinavian Santa

When Fantasy Meets Reality

Last fall, my husband and I booked a trip to Scandinavia. We had hoped to take it in 2023 to celebrate our 25th wedding anniversary, but cancer intervened.

So, we'll be visiting Denmark, Sweden, and Norway for fifteen days in late spring. We also want to research our ancestral roots - mine in Norway and Michael's in Sweden. A final reason for the trip is that the fourth book in my middle grade fantasy series takes place, at least in part, in Sweden. I look forward to researching Varnhem Abbey.

What began as an exciting adventure to anticipate, has now turned into a situation that we must monitor. The current state of affairs with Denmark, Greenland, and our other NATO Allies, has us cautious about visiting that extraordinary corner of the world. So far, I've been able to conduct research in the featured country for each of my books in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle. Seeing a sign on the news, "Yankee Go Home!" is quite disconcerting...but totally understandable.