Storyteller's Journey

Season's Greetings!

There's so much for which to be thankful for this holiday season. For me it's all about friends and family. However, I've also experienced the pain of recently losing my mother, Sheila Cardon. (Winter Pond - 12 X 16 oil on panel by Michael Lindstrom)

Therefore, I'll be away from my blog for the next few weeks. I'll be back on Writ of Whimsy in January.

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter.

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

Storyteller's Journey

Work in Progress Update

Just this week, I completed the first draft of Nimbus Over Normandy, the second novel in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle. After the holidays, I'll begin the arduous task of revising and editing. Then, sometime in February or March, I'll send my transcript to my editor. By the time he's completed his edits, it will be spring. While he's got my transcript, I'll begin outlining the third novel in the series. Right now, it feels good to take a break, do some reading, and enjoy the holidays. Cocoa anyone? 

Below is the flap copy description of Nimbus Over Normandy:

Livvi, Caden, and Mia have barely returned to Chilcott's Academy of Creativity for a new year before the magical and the mysterious again confront them. Lord Abaddon gas assigned the demise of Livvi Biddle to a new antagonist: the shrewd agent, Lilith. In addition to the threat posed by that dark angel, the three friends encounter an enigmatic neighbor in the form of Mrs. Dinwiddie, who bestows a peculiar prophecy on Livvi. However, it is the girls' unexpected trip back in time where they meet an iconic artist in his French country home that presents a truly colossal problem to their survival. Livvi and her pals desperately search for a path back to the present, while dealing with the customs of the past, all as time is slipping away!

Storyteller's Journey

A Bit of My Hometown History

After the war of 1812 the British-owned Hudson Bay Company controlled the Oregon Country which includes my hometown of Vancouver, WA.

Two hundred years ago, in 1824, the HBC headquarters was moved from Astoria, Oregon, to the north bank of the Columbia River, in what is now Vancouver, WA, USA. Fort Vancouver was a bustling hub of commerce during the early 1800's. The British plan was that south of the river would be United States territory and north would be British territory. However, the Treaty of 1846 made that area part of what is now Washington and Oregon. The ties to the British, the military, and the diverse culture that was prevalent during the time of the Hudson Bay Company is still felt in many ways in this area, both big and small.

One way is in the paranormal phenomena that permeates this community. After the Treaty of 1846 it didn't take long for the United States Army to establish a major garrison near Fort Vancouver. Ghosts from that time linger in the Vancouver Barracks, as well as Officers Row in the Vancouver National Historic Reserve District. The oldest house on Officers Row is the Grant House - with its numerous ghosts!

A couple of weeks ago I attended a Ghost Tour at the historic Grant House, presented by author and historian, Jefferson Davis. Jeff has been investigating ghost hauntings and writing ghost stories for decades. Since my current work in progress is a middle grade fantasy series that includes a scene set at the Grant House, I was anxious to hear about the presence of ghosts at the historic site. Learning that the Grant House has numerous reports of the presence of several ghosts, was exciting!

The day after the Ghost Tour at the Grant House, Mr. Davis had a book event not far from where I live, so my husband and I set out to purchase one of his books. Vancouver USA Ghosts Volume I is a fantastic resource of all kinds of paranormal activity in our community! While I was aware of many spooky stories and tales set in this region, I had no idea of just how prevalent the presence of ghosts in Vancouver, WA really was. I guess it shouldn't be a surprise, since it's the oldest town in the state of Washington. (Dating back to British rule.)

Many thanks to author-historian, Jefferson Davis. He has a unique style of being curious and open-minded, while not accepting evidence without his due diligence. If you're interested in learning more about this author, check out his website: www.jeffdavisghostguy.com 

On a side note, several years ago my fine artist husband, Michael Lindstrom, painted the Grant House. It's in a collection in the Hudson Building in downtown Vancouver, WA 

The Grant House 24 X 36 Oil on canvas by Michael Lindstrom. 

Storyteller's Journey

Season of Gratitude

Each year at this time I usually post something about gratitude, thankfulness, or even just about my Thanksgiving holiday. To be honest, sometimes my posts feel similar to those of previous years.

But not this year. This year my heart is full of genuine gratitude and an over-abundance of joy after an extremely difficult 2023. 

At this time last year, I had just had surgery to remove a cancerous tumor and had begun preventative chemotherapy treatment. While I labored to keep a stiff upper lip, the truth was that most days I didn't get out of bed. When I was able to move around a bit, my days looked nothing like my previous life. It was discouraging, depressing, and even frightening. As I mentioned a couple of weeks ago, while I did have a middle grade novel published in the fall of 2023, I was unable to have a book event or promote it much at all. However, at that time my mind was on more serious matters, like whether I was going to survive or not. I'm still not out of the woods but will take my quarterly and annual checkups in stride as best I can.

Fast forward to 2024. By March I had not only completed my chemotherapy treatment but had learned that my son and daughter-in-law were expecting their first child. (My first grandchild.) As each month passed this year, I could feel myself getting stronger. By the end of summer, I nearly felt like my old self. By October, I was thrilled to welcome my granddaughter, Adeline Joy, into our lives. I was able to have a belated book event earlier this month, and just last week learned from my oncologist, that my quarterly blood work looks good.

While I always have much to be grateful for, 2024 has been something special. Spending Thanksgiving Day with family this year is something I'll always cherish. As the phrase goes, "my cup runneth over."

Hope each of you has a happy holiday weekend!

Storyteller's Journey

From Time to Time

Being a person with a passion for both fantasy and history, it makes sense that I gravitated towards writing time travel into my current work in progress. Historical/fantasy fiction requires research, which I thoroughly enjoy.

When an author delves into time travel as her genre (or part of it), she must establish rules. When you research what other authors' rules for time travel have been, the only true similarity is that they all stay consistent to the rules that they set. How does the time travel occur? How does the main character travel to a specific time or place? 

And on and on...

Researching time travel in general, and not specific people or places, was the most difficult for me. (Science was never my strongest subject!) It required that I study (at least a bit) of Albert Einstein's theory of relativity. 

His theories on time include:

1- Time is relative: The rate at which time passes depends on your frame of reference. For example, time passes more slowly for an object in motion than when it is at rest.

2- Time is not absolute: The perception that a second is always a second everywhere in the universe is not true.

3- Time is an illusion: The distinction between past present, and future is only an illusion.

4- Time judgments are based on simultaneity: Judgments of time are based on judgments of what happens at the same time.

5- Time is a construct: Our brains construct a sense of time as if it were flowing from our experience with rhythmic phenomena.

The third theory mentioned that time is an illusion, is like music to my ears. Then, when you add Arthur C. Clarke's quote: "Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic" adds to the thought that maybe, just maybe, time travel is actually possible! (This idea assists me as I'm writing to make my story more believable.)

A paraphrased version of Arthur C. Clarke's quote is "Magic is just science we haven't yet discovered."

Storyteller's Journey

My Belated Book Event

One of the most exciting times for an author is publication day and the numerous book events that follow. It's like the reward for all the months (sometimes years) of writing by oneself and staying disciplined. It's not why I write, but it's gratifying.                          (Photo from book event 11-1-24)

In September 2023 my first novel in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle was published. I had worked on The Sibylline Scroll for over ten years, including a trip to Europe where I did research for the series. Having that novel published was the culmination of a lot of stress, tears, and time. However, weeks before it was due to be published, I received a diagnosis of cancer. It was devastating news, to say the least. Needless to say, any book events had to be postponed. The last quarter of 2023 was one of the most challenging times of my life.

After having two surgeries, I completed my chemotherapy in February 2024. However, I soon found out that it takes months of recovery to regain your strength and stamina. By the end of last summer, I was feeling much more like myself. My schedule was finally free to schedule a much-belated book event.

Two weeks ago, I had a book signing for not only my newest novel, but for the four previous books I've had published. I have so much for which to be grateful!

In fact, here is my big news!

Stay tuned in the coming months for more updates!

Storyteller's Journey

All is Lost
(or is it?)

If you're a writer, then you're familiar with the "three-act story structure." If you're not, and you're interested, click here. My son Kevin (who's also a writer) and I love to point out items of the three-act story structure while we're watching a movie. We'll say, "That's the inciting incident; that's the midpoint; that's the all is lost moment..." It's actually not a good habit - it prevents us from truly savoring the movie!

One of the most iconic "all is lost" moments in cinematic history comes in The Empire Strikes Back in the Star Wars Series. When Darth Vader tells Luke Skywalker, "I am your father," the bottom falls out of Luke's world. Not only of his external world, but of his internal world - his very identity.

In my life I've had at least three "all is lost" moments. Without going into detail, they were all situations where I was in deep despair and found it very difficult to go on. However, I did, due to my faith, perseverance, and the knowledge that I had people depending on me. In every case, the aftermath of those dark days was not easy, but eventually the sun did come out again in my world. Like the protagonist in the Hero's Journey, there is always a rising from the ashes, a resolution. But you must go on to see it.

Last Tuesday night as I watched the results come in for the U.S. Presidential Election, I found myself thinking of the "all is lost" moment. While I'm an Independent, and I won't discuss politics, I realized that many of my friends would have an extremely difficult time processing the election's result. Maybe it's that I'm a writer and accustomed to writing a plot where the protagonist goes through tough trials, but always prevails in the end, that I was so hopeful even at that moment. It's not life's blessings that make us strong, but life's challenges. Either way, we must go forward as a united country.

For decades I've lived by the words that Einstein so eloquently said, 

"Life is like riding a bicycle. To keep your balance, you must keep moving."

Storyteller's Journey

VOTE - Make Your Voice Heard!

If you're of voting age, the time to vote is now. (If you're a younger person, tell the adults in your life to vote!) The office of U.S. President is not the only item on this year's ballot. Depending on what state you reside in, there are numerous other candidates and issues for which to cast your vote. Women and minorities fought and sacrificed so much for the right to vote. The least we can do as U.S. citizens is to honor them by voting. There is too much at stake this year not to.

I voted over a week ago.

Storyteller's Journey

 Family Ties

In the past I've mentioned the balance I employ to juggle my work as a writer and my life as a wife, mother, and daughter. Well, now I'm blessed to add another role to the mix: Grandmother!

While I've shared the extraordinary news of my granddaughter's arrival on a few other social media sites, I've not mentioned it here on Writ of Whimsy. 

Adeline Joy Zimmerman was born on October 2, 2024. She and her parents - our son and daughter-in-law, David & Jessica - are all doing well.

Needless to say, we are all overwhelmed with gratitude, love, and joy for this little bundle of magic!

Prior to Adeline's arrival, David and Jessica took a "babymoon" in Seattle. We are so proud of them for the way they have taken on the responsibilities of being great parents!

Becoming grandparents was something that we thought might never happen. However, we are so glad it did! Michael and I already have plans to introduce Adeline to the woodland countryside around our home, as well as to literature, art, and music.

It's interesting how Adeline's presence in my own heart has invigorated and inspired my writing. With all that's going on in our world, she has brought a bright light to our little corner of the country.

At nearly the same time Adeline was arriving, my mother took a terrible fall that left her with a broken hip and shoulder. So last week I flew to Arizona to see her. While I was there, I also saw my son Kevin. My mother and son are like two peas in a pod! It was wonderful to see my mom recovering so well. And since Kevin has now returned to South America, it was great to see him again before he left.

While I was in Phoenix, I stayed with my brother and his wife, Kim. They are always so generous with their hospitality. Sadly, I failed to photograph my brother, D.J., my niece, Emma, and my nephew, Joseph, who I also enjoyed seeing!

With all the excitement for the branch of the family that lives on the West Coast, it's been difficult to keep in touch with our youngest son Brian, who still lives in New Jersey. Thankfully, he'll be home in a few weeks to meet Adeline and to celebrate Thanksgiving with all of us.

Brian loves to cook, so I'm hoping he'll help out with the turkey - since I've never claimed to be much of a cook!

Now that I'm back home and things are beginning to settle down (before they ramp up again for the holidays!), I've made good progress on the second novel in my fantasy children's book series.

If you live in the Portland OR/Vancouver WA metro area, I'd love to see you next Friday! P.S. That's my brother's pool, not mine. 😀

Storyteller's Journey

Fight for the Freedom to Read!

While I usually attempt to be a peacemaker, a few things can get me pretty riled up: like banning books!
As a mother, part of me sort of understands the concerns about the type of books my child reads. However, I cannot for the life of me understand why other parents feel it's their duty to ban my children (grandchild) from certain books. Fighting for this freedom right now reminds me of other freedoms that are currently being challenged.

The freedom to read is no less important than other freedoms we cherish. Think about it: Having an authority tell a child what she can and cannot read is a backdoor way of brainwashing. History tells us how that went last time!

Tomorrow libraries across the country are sponsoring a "day of action." Click here to learn more. Ultimately, the freedom to read may be settled at the ballot box, so be sure to vote!

"He who destroys a good book, kills reason itself."

John Milton

Storyteller's Journey

A Fantasy World

Since I live in the corner of the country made famous by Bigfoot, vampires, and werewolves, it's not surprising that when I began to write, I wrote fantasy stories, and still do.
Public Domain Photo

Writing (and reading) can not only be a form of entertainment, but a way of escaping a world too difficult to deal with - like the one we live in right now. For the most part, I try to stay out of the current chaos. It's not that I'm sticking my head in the sand during these tumultuous times, it's just that after a while, listening to the constant rhetoric reminds me of children saying, "You did it first!" However, I find the recent racial bent to the rhetoric, deplorable. This is not the example the young people of our country should be seeing! If adults act like this, how do we expect the leaders of tomorrow to act? Our youth are the future fabric of our nation. Will it be strong, or will it be torn apart?

This was, in part, my motivation for the protagonist of my middle grade novel to bring an era of peace to the world. It's sad to think that that idea would be set in the plot of a fantasy novel, but here we are. Maybe, by some miracle, my middle grade fantasy series - The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle - will not only entertain young readers, but might introduce them to iconic historic figures, customs and cultures of different countries, and might plant a seed in their minds as to a better way to understand different types of people. We'll see...

(I'll be away from Writ of Whimsy for a few weeks. See you soon!)

Storyteller's Journey

Autumn's Arrival!

As I've mentioned many times on this blog, autumn is my favorite season! While that might seem strange to folks who know I live in the Pacific Northwest with its infamous rains, it's true.

This season with its cold, crisp air and colorful leaves, reminds me of my school days so long ago. It also triggers me to begin writing again in earnest.

Click here for my most recent quarterly author newsletter.

If you live in the PNW, I'd love to see you at my upcoming book event!

Wishing each of you a fantastic fall season!

Storyteller's Journey

New Book Cover Reveal!

Last June I posted about the cover art for my next novel; well, here it is, and I absolutely love it! Nimbus Over Normandy is the second novel in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle Series. While it won't be released until next year, I thought you'd enjoy seeing the cover. Below is the flap copy description of my new middle grade fantasy novel. (Original Art by Michael Lindstrom Copyright 2024)
 

Livvi, Caden, and Mia have barely returned to Chilcott's Academy of Creativity for a new school year before the magical and mysterious again confront them. Lord Abaddon has assigned the demise of Livvi Biddle to a new antagonist: the shrewd female agent, Lilith. In addition to the threat posed by that dark angel, the three friends encounter an enigmatic neighbor in the form of Mrs. Dinwiddie, who bestows a peculiar prophecy upon Livvi. However, it is the three girls' unexpected trip back in time where they meet an iconic artist in his French country home that presents a truly colossal problem to their survival. Livvi and her pals desperately search for a path back to the present, while dealing with the customs of the past, all as time is slipping away!

Creating and publishing a novel independently is not for the faint of heart. I couldn't do it without the efforts of my creative team! Many thanks to Kriston Clark of Tattered Page Ink for her incredible cover and book formatting. You're the best! (As always, I owe a big debt to my editor son, Kevin Zimmerman, and my artist husband, Michael Lindstrom, for their extraordinary contributions.)

Stay tuned for updates of my path to publication!

Storyteller's Journey

Sights of Summer 

The summer of 2024 proved to be productive as well as entertaining. The photo on the left is from my visit to Cannon Beach, Oregon last month.

One of my favorite things to do each summer is to enjoy a beautiful nature setting while reading, as my husband sets up his easel and paints plein air. Our trip to the Oregon Coast was particularly enjoyable this year!

Since we live in an extraordinary setting, at the base of the Gifford Pinchot National Forest, there's never a shortage of beauty next to our home. We love sharing our property with several black-tailed deer.

I'm grateful to live in the PNW where there's no shortage of nature settings that have been set aside for the enjoyment of its people. (Salmon-Morgan Creeks Natural Area.)

We also journeyed to the center of Washington State, specifically to our state's capital of Olympia. Since my cousin lives north of there, and we live south, it makes a great destination to meet for lunch.

We enjoyed most of these sights in August. June and July were spent doing yardwork and landscaping. It's always exciting when fall returns; I treat it like the beginning of school and again begin writing in earnest! 

Stay tuned for more Writ of Whimsy blog posts coming soon!

Storyteller's Journey

Summertime Fun!

With summer just around the corner, I am looking forward to spending time in the beautiful countryside we share with our neighbors. I am so grateful to live in the Pacific Northwest!

We're also excited to be spending time with our three sons and daughter-in-law this summer. Our middle son, Kevin, is with us for a couple of months before he returns to Peru for an extended visit. Our youngest son, Brian, will be here from the East Coast in a few weeks for a visit, and our eldest, David, and his wife, Jessica, live nearby. It's always special when our entire family can gather together.

I'll also be working on the second novel in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle, as well as spending time in my garden!

I'll be taking a break from Writ of Whimsy for the summer but will be back in September with updates on my current work in progress.

Click here to read my recent quarterly newsletter.

Wishing each of you a fantastic summer season!

Storyteller's Journey

From Photo to Cover Painting

This image was taken by my husband, Michael Lindstrom in June 2014 at the home of Claude Monet in Giverny France. I absolutely love it!

When I began the second novel in my series of The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle (set in France) I searched our photo archives for an image Michael could use to create cover art for my novel. The photo was great inspiration for the painting he created. (Painting by Michael Lindstrom.)

The cover reveal for book II in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle, Nimbus Over Normandy, will hopefully be coming next fall!

Storyteller's Journey

Music as a Muse

While I've mentioned on Writ of Whimsy numerous times, nature is my main muse. However, music is a close second. Whether it's listening to classical music streaming on my Bose speaker or enjoying tunes on my headphones, music always gets me in the mood to write. I especially like listening to movie scores inspired by fantasy novels or historical fiction. As I continue penning the second novel in The Time Travel Tales of Livvi Biddle (set partially in France) I've been enjoying the music of Edith Piaf: La Vie en Rose.