Storyteller's Journey

Season's Greetings!

This year Christmastime will be extraordinary! We are not only spending the holidays in our new home in the woods, but all three of our sons will be with us during Christmas. (One will be traveling from the East Coast, while the other one is flying up from Arizona.) I'm so looking forward to reconnecting with all of them. As I do every December, I'll be taking a winter break from blogging; I'll be back on Writ of Whimsy sometime in January.

The title of the painting on the left is "Melting Snow," it was created by my husband, Michael Lindstrom. 

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter.

Wishing each of you the love, joy, and peace of the season!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Krampus - (n.)

A Half-goat, half-demon that punishes misbehaving children at Christmastime.

Example: The children much preferred St. Nicholas over Krampus!

 

Bibliophile’s Corner

The Christmas Pig

By J.K. Rowling

Flap Copy Description:

Jack loves his childhood toy, Dur Pig. DP has always been there for him, through good and bad. Until one Christmas Eve, something terrible happens - DP is lost.

So Jack and the Christmas Pig (DP’s irritating replacement) embark on a breathtaking journey through the magical Land of the Lost. With the help of a talking lunchbox, a brave compass, and a winged thing called Hope, they set out to rescue the best friend Jack has ever known from the terrifying, toy-cruncher Loser...

My Thoughts:

When J.K. Rowling releases a new children’s book I always rush to read it. (I will not get into her beliefs or mine, this is a book review.) If you expect to read a Potteresque story within the pages of this book, you’ll be disappointed. But if you enjoyed the Toy Story movies, then this book is for you! As I expected from Ms. Rowling her writing is crisp, clean, and entertaining. While it seemed to take a while for me to be hooked, I could see why she spent extra time setting up the back story. I would recommend The Christmas Pig to avid readers between the ages of eight and twelve - especially this holiday season!

Storyteller's Journey

A Magical Ride!

As I reflect on the journey I've taken as a independently published author, it occurs to me that it's been a magical ride, not unlike the ride Santa Swanson took with his two flying polar bears in my debut book, The Scandinavian Santa.

(This image was painted by fine artist, Michael Lindstrom.)

While I still hope to gain traditional publication with one of my creations, it's been an unexpected and positive experience meeting so many wonderful writers, artists, readers, bookshop owners, teachers, and librarians. Some of them, I'd have never met had not I pursued the independent route of publishing. In addition to gaining new friends, my passion for writing literally led me to moving to a rural home that more represents my need for nature - which is one of the strongest sources of inspiration for my stories. We all make plans, but life always leads the way. Clearly, my path led me to taking more control of the reins with regard to my writing career. For right now, that suits me just fine.

Hope you and your family have the happiest of holiday seasons!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Hoarfrost - (n.)

A grayish-white crystalline deposit of frozen water formed in still weather on trees, vegetation, etc.

Example: If it wasn’t going to snow for the winter holidays, the writer was hoping for at least a hoarfrost. 

Bibliophile's Corner

The Christmas Owl
by Ellen Kalish and

Gideon Sterer
illustrated by Ramona Kaulitzki

Flap Copy Description:

The story that captivated the country about a little owl who was found in the world's most famous Christmas tree.

When Little Owl's home is cut down by people saying it will make a beautiful Christmas tree, she's not sure she wants anything to do with Christmas, whatever that means. But then she is saved by a woman named Ellen, whose house is merrily decorated for the holiday and filled with birds who need someone to care for them. Surrounded by kindness and helpful new friends, Little Owl begins to wonder if Christmas might not be such a bad thing after all...

My Thoughts:

The story of the little owl nicknamed Rockefeller, is one I recall being in the news last year. (I even thought it would make a wonderful picture book!) I'm so glad the true story was co-authored by the woman who brought the saw-whet owl back to health at her Ravensbeard Wildlife Center in Saugerties, New York. While it is a fictionalized version of the true tale, it is none the less a heartwarming reminder of the importance to give new acquaintances in our lives the chance to earn our trust. The Christmas Owl should be in your child's library this holiday season!

Storyteller’s Journey

My Patronus?

Right from a very young age I was drawn to deer. (The photo on the left shows me with my mom at the San Diego Zoo.) Even the first movie I can recall seeing was Bambi, by Walt Disney.

This photo was taken a few months after the onset of the Covid 19 Pandemic - the deer are standing in the front yard of the urban home we lived in at that time. The deer sighting that morning was extraordinary.

Even when we purchased our new home last summer, the deer were there waiting for me. Why do I mention this awesome connection with these beautiful animals? 

Recently I was inspired to loosely outline a new story idea featuring a stag. Right now the working title is THE STAG OF WINTERWOOD and would be a Lindstrom Wintertime Tale. (If you’re not familiar with those, they’re short stories that my artist husband has illustrated.)

It occurs to me that whether It’s a coincidence, or something the universe has orchestrated, I now half expect to see a deer at every turn. So, to be inspired to write a story about a stag totally falls under the heading of “write what you know.” As the story gains substance I’ll share more. For now I’m just wondering if my patronus is a deer!

Whimsical Word of the Week

Halcyon - (adj.)

Denoting a period of time in the past that was idyllically happy and peaceful.

Example: The housewife had fond memories of the halcyon days of her childhood.