Fantastical but True

/ roughwighting

fantastical, magical dragonfly, make a wish, Bing Co-Design, AIAlthough this post may sound a bit fanciful, or fantastical, or even impossible, it’s 100% true.

Almost 18 months ago, on a cold and snowy January morning, my 10-year-old grandson played Monopoly with me for 2 ½ hours.

That’s not the fantastical part. baking, cookies, snickerdoodles, baking with grandson

Immediately after, grandson Neville and I baked his favorite cookies: Stickeydoodles (originally called Snickerdoodles but Neville changed the name for reasons you can guess).

That’s not the fanciful part.

Later, as we munched on the warm sugary cookie, Neville queried: “Why haven’t you written another children’s book, Madre?”

Not wanting to reply it’s too much work, or I’m satisfied with Birds of Paradise and Molly Finds Her Purr, I answered, “I don’t know who the star would be for my next book.”

illustrated children's book, thinking squirrel, squirrel thinks

©Illustration by Shelley Steinle.

“Petey, of course!” Neville sang out. 

And now comes the almost impossible part of this post.

We ran up to my upstairs writing room. We re-read Bert and Bessie’s journey in Birds of Paradise and Molly’s challenges in Molly Finds Her Purr. And then we began to write Petey the squirrel’s story.

In complete collaboration.

For instance, I explained, “We need to give Petey a problem or a wish. Something perhaps that he wants but can’t have. Molly the cat, for instance, couldn’t find her purr.”

“Oh, I know what Petey wants. He wants wings,” Neville replied promptly.

squirrel tale, fantastical, illustrated children's book

©Illustration by Shelley Steinle.

And then we flew off, writing and laughing while we joined Petey on his journey as he begged a magical dragonfly for wings. We worried and gasped at the chaos that ensued.

For three hours we wrote together, laughing and drafting, giggling and re-drafting. Oohing and ahhing as Petey discovered what he really wanted.

That’s the fantastical, fanciful, impossible way we wrote PETEY WANTS WINGS.

One other fantastical element: the illustrator loved Petey so much she took on the incredible job of drawing a squirrel into life. The publisher loved Petey so much she said “YES!” when I asked her to design the book into life.

illustrated children's book, Borgo Publishing, squirrel story

And now, PETEY WANTS WINGS is available to Pre-Order through Borgo Publishing with FREE SHIP coupon until September 15, 2024. After, Petey Wants Wings is available through Borgo Publishing and Amazon. 

https://www.borgopublishing.com/product-page/petey-wants-wings

illustrated children's book, grandchildren, grandparentingNeville and I promise you a fantastical fanciful beautiful time when you read and share Petey’s story.  

98 thoughts on “Fantastical but True”

    • Petey deserves to be read by many, but as most of us writers agree, “selling” is not our strong point. I get very shy about promoting, but I recently read a great post that said we authors are not bragging or begging for our books to be read, we’re spreading the word about a story we really believe in and want to share. I like that perspective.

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      • That’s very true, Pam. However you have all of us on your launching pad too and all our voices will certainly help! I love that Neville and you made such grand collaborators 🙂 BUT best of all, I swear those “stickydoodles” helped those creative juices a lot!

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        • THANK you for your insights here on launching. In fact, we are giving a presentation at a local library soon, and I think I better bring stickeydoodles!

          Secondly, YES, our blogging community is a great launching pad for us writers. I’m soooooo grateful. ❤

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    • That’s such a smart idea, Darlene. Children read and love your books, so they are the perfect people to aks for ideas of what they’d like Amanda to do next. I have my grands edit all of my first drafts for that same reason.

      Liked by 1 person

  12. Well, that is indeed fantastical, and I’m not even talking about a squirrel who wants wings. I love your story about how this book came to be, Pam. It sounds like you have a fantastical grandson (and possibly a future writer). Congrats on the book! I’ll be picking up a copy as soon as it hits Amazon, so don’t forget to announce that. 🙂 ❤

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    • Neville gets credit, is co-author on the cover and title page, and will share royalties with me. However, I learned he can’t be on the copyright page because of his age. Interesting, huh!

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  14. My favorite part of the writing process is imagination and observing how writers develop their ideas for stories. Thanks for letting us see behind the curtain. By the way, I used to bake snickerdoodles with my mom. They still remain my favorite cookie today.

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    • Awww, I love reading about your history with snickerdoodles. YES, baking with a loved one remains sweet forever. And I agree, I love hearing about someone’s writing and creative process. Most times, it makes the book even more interesting.

      Umm, not to be pushy but this book would be perfect for your new grandbaby. 🙂 🙂 ❤

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  15. Oh Pam. This is fantastical and wonderful and marvellous and I have a lump in my throat because what a beautiful experience for Madre and Neville!

    You can bet this one will be added to my collection. (I might, after all, have grandchildren of my own one day… Not that having none would stop me from getting it anyway!)

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  17. OMIGOSH, Pam… this is so touching and I LOVE the organic way it was born. So touching, so sweet, this is the dream I work with people everyday and I hope they find. The organic way this was birthed is why I keep writing for whatever reason. I just trust the birthing process will unfold in it’s own time when it’s right. My heart is singing, your book is in my cart, I love the cover and your sweet, adorable grandson, Neville. Congratulations to him for being the inspiration and you, Madre for igniting his creativity.👏👏💕❣️👏💕

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    • ExactlyCindy! I think the best creativity comes from spontaneity and just listening to the muse inside your heart and soul. I feel that’s what Neville and I did but with a lot of fun and laughter mixed in. Thank you thank you for your comments. 🙏💜

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    • True, but I’m worried that this winter while we’re playing Monopoly, Neville will ask me what the NEXT book will be. (Hand hiding face.) This book business is exhausting – three kids’ books are enough for me! In a decade or so, he can write the next one. 🙂

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  29. What a positively glorious way to write a story! Go Pam and Go Neville. I truly hope you two collaborate again. And perhaps one day, Neville will continue the family tradition and become an author himself.

    Huge hugs to both of you.

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    • Ann, there was magic going on when we wrote Petey’s story. I’ve never seen an active boy sit still on a stool creating and thinking for hours like that! (I was on my chair in front of computer and he sat on a stool next to me.) We were in a writing vortex! 😊

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  31. Conratulations Pam & Neville!!! I’m sure my grandchildren will enjoy this new book as much as they enjoy your other two. It will be interesting to see Neville’s influence in the story. I like how he knew immediately what a squirrel might wish for. 🙂

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  33. Oh wow…. I just LOVE, love LOVE how that story came into being Pam… And it sounds as if Neville is takes after his Madre 🙂 Full of intuitive imagination…

    The story sounds fantastic and the illustration book cover is beautifully done.. 🙂 Congratulations to the both of you for this wonderful new story..

    Sending love from England.. ❤ xx ❤

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    • Absolutely – Neville is on the cover and title page as co-author. Unfortunately, he can’t be on the copyright because of age restrictions, legally. Weird, but I’ll still share royalties with him. 🙂 ❤

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    • YES!! For many authors they’d never consider writing a book with another. I did it once before (with an adult) writing the romance suspense TWIN DESIRES, and we had a blast. But finding the right person is paramount. Neville, surprisingly, was a delight to create with.

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