I am beyond excited that I just sent my next manuscript to my wonderful editor, Lee Ann Ward. I have written 2 novels! Now I need to get them sold, but no one can ever take away the fact that I wrote them!
My second novel, "Tressa" is the story of a young girl who goes in search of love and acceptance, and success after living through a horrific childhood of abuse and neglect.
It's interesting...yesterday I had an agent ask me what my inspiration was to start writing this story. I had to really think about that. I have no personal experience with abuse or neglect, so I really struggled coming up with an answer to that question. My response was that Tressa just kept speaking to me and I needed to tell her story.
So, am I being authentic? Not from experience, but I want my story to convey how important uncondititonal parental love and support is. I definitely had that growing up.
Tressa finds parental support in Goldie, a woman who comes into her life when she escapes her home. I want to be Goldie. I hope I am Goldie.
This is an excerpt from my story:
Goldie watched the girl walk down the street and wondered what her real story was. She seemed to be trying to present herself as an adult. Goldie chuckled to herself as she thought about it. The town was small. She would find her again after lunch. Since her husband, Jimmy had passed, Goldie had been lonesome. Maybe this sad girl needed a little help and Goldie had the time and the heart to give it.
The day passed slowly as Goldie worried about Barbie Carlisle. Finally, the clock struck 4:00.
“See y’all in the A.M.”
Goldie gathered up her bag and gave the lunch counter one more swipe. Adolph, the cook and Sherry the evening girl smiled and waved.
“Go find that little gal, Goldie. Don’t think we don’t know you’ve been worryin’ ‘bout her all day,” Sherry laughed. “Always takin’ in the strays!”
Sherry hurried to the door to give Goldie a quick hug. “Save this one just like you saved me, sweet lady!”
Goldie squeezed Sherry’s hand. “And look how you turned out! About to graduate from college! See you tomorrow!” Goldie said as she went out the door.
It was a lovely October afternoon, the heat and humidity finally giving up for the year. Goldie walked the short distance to the little cottage that she and Jimmy had shared. They had never been able to have children, which had broken their hearts. So, Goldie and Jimmy had fixed up their home and opened it up to anybody who needed one. Most of the kids had become like family to them.
The afternoon sun always made her little house look so inviting. Goldie stood on her front porch and looked down the street hoping to see a glimpse of the girl.
“Jimmy, I could sure use your help right about now. I think we found another one.”
Goldie had married Jimmy Fordham right out of high school. He had been her best friend forever it seemed. When they opened the café, they figured they would retire together and spend their twilight years sampling new gumbo recipes and enjoying their evening pie and coffee.
The memory of Jimmy slumped over in his rocker on the porch was still so vivid that it brought tears to Goldie’s eyes. She thought he was napping and went to him to wake him up for dinner. But he was already gone. Too late for any kind of resuscitation. Her best friend was gone. After forty years of marriage, she wasn’t sure how she would go on, but somehow she had. Goldie closed her eyes and shook her head.
“Move along, gal,” she admonished herself. “There is work to do!”
I guess I should have introduced you to Tressa first, but I am feeling Goldie today!
As always, thanks for taking a moment to read!