Blogging Friends…. When you’re me and you have several dear friends
who are all in their sixties or seventies {older, wiser, experienced women whom
I learn a lot from} health issues on their end are kind of unavoidable.
Somebody who I love dearly and am very close to is currently battling breast
cancer. Well.... Today just so happened to be her fourth {and last!!} round of
chemotherapy!! As it turned out, God threw us all a party via the 2017
Solar Eclipse!! Now, if that’s not cosmic, I don’t know what is!! Plus there
were bombs…. Uh, I mean, loud, resounding, echoing, booming fireworks.... Which did nothing but frighten my poor, trembling, noise phobic mutt, Rosalita!! And me!! My dear
friend’s next 'adventure' is radiation treatment. She will be absolutely alright…. For
my dear friend is definitely a beautiful, strong, brave, courageous, inspiring,
amazing, admirable, resilient woman!! This particular fictional story
was written from an aunt’s/daughter’s perspective {because I am one} for a
Grandmother’s little granddaughters and grandson. Because…. As I have several
good friends who are in their sixties or seventies, I also just so happen to
know many of these women’s grandkids!! Stay hard, stay hungry, stay alive,
Raelyn
Note…. ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’ was not initially going to be a children’s story. Hmmm…. I do not remember what ‘genre’ ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’ was going to fall under. {As a rebellious artist, I absolutely hate that word…. ‘Genre’. It feels so limiting to my God-given gifts and abilities!! Anyway….} I was feeling somewhat like a visionary {Blogging Friends say that my fictional stories are brilliant, which must mean that I'm brilliant, but I do not buy it!!} after Google-searching children’s books about Grandmas having breast cancer. I found nothing. So I wrote one!!
“Keep On Keepin’ On”
Cancer. It is probably the most frightening word in our dictionary. For ‘cancer’ brings a sense of uncertainty, it brings a sense of mystery, it brings worries, fears—and prayers sent toward Heaven—along with it. There are doctor’s appointments, there are operations, there are seemingly countless medications which need to be taken…. Including chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
For, no matter how severe—or how ‘highly curable’ it is—cancer sucks.
“Roberta. Susan. Sally. Nancy. Rita. Sheryl. Christina. Robin. Olivia. Wanda. Teresa. Judy. Gloria. Cynthia. Maggie. Carly. Jaclyn. Kathy. Suzanne. Kylie. Giuliana. Hoda,” I said to my nieces, Charlotte and Hazel, “Do you know one thing that these beautiful, strong, brave, courageous women all have in common?”
“What?” Charlotte and Hazel asked simultaneously.
“They are all—each and every one of them—breast cancer survivors!!” I said.
“Really?” exclaimed Hazel, despite not really understanding what I was talking about, “Wow!!”
“What does ‘survivor’ mean?” asked an inquisitive Charlotte, “I do not know that word!!”
“What a good question!!” I said, “It means that they had breast cancer {just like Gran does} but their doctors helped them get better!! They are healthy now!!”
“Did all of those girls lose their hair and go bald?” asked Hazel, “Like what happened to Gran?”
“Yes,” I answered, “They all did. Because one of the medications that those women’s doctors gave them—called chemotherapy—causes complete hair loss. But it was only temporary baldness!! Eventually, those breast cancer survivors all did have their hair grow back!! And so will Gran’s, too, someday!!”
“Like when Mama gave me a haircut?” asked Hazel, “It is growing back, now!!”
“You mean when you gave yourself a haircut?” I said with an enormous smile written on my face, “Well.... Now Gran has a ‘not haircut’!! Get it?!”
I laughed at my joke.
“Yeah!!” said Hazel, “Because Gran does not have any hair!!”
“Charlotte?” I gently said, “You’re suddenly being very quiet over there…. Which is uncharacteristic of you!! Talk to me…. Come on….”
And then Charlotte suddenly interrupted my talking by letting out a wild, crazy, annoyed-sounding, frustrated growl.
“Charlotte….” I softly and patiently said, “What’s the matter? Is your little, very smart, brilliant, genius—yet still childlike—mind processing everything that’s been happening to Gran? What are you thinking, baby….?”
I paused to listen for Charlotte’s soft-spoken answers from such a sensitive soul…. But there were none.
“Charlotte?” I said, “Baby, we do not have to talk about Gran {or breast cancer} if you don’t want to!! I will change the subject!!”
Stay emotionally and mentally strong, Hannah Louise, I thought to myself, For Charlotte. For Hazel. For their baby brother—my nephew—Oscar. For Mom, who is the one that has breast cancer. For myself. To quote Bob Dylan from his song, ‘Tangled Up In Blue’…. ‘The only thing I knew how to do was to keep on keepin’ on like a bird that flew….’ We are very good at that. Because…. As a family who has persevered though plenty of trials and tribulations, we keep on keepin’ on!! Breast cancer? Chemotherapy? Radiation treatment? We keep on keepin’ on…. Yes, ‘like a bird that flew’!! Stay emotionally and mentally strong, Hannah Louise. Now is not the time to fall apart!! Now is the time that I become more confident in myself!! Now is the time for growing up, for maturity!! Now is the time to ‘keep on keepin’ on like a bird that flew’.... Even when I do not feel like it!! Take that, Self-Doubt!!
“I miss Gran’s hair….” Charlotte finally said, “It was so pretty, it was white and grey-colored, it was curly, and it always smelled good…. Will Gran’s hair really grow back….?”
“Yes!!” I exclaimed, “And not only that…. But Gran’s hair might even grow back straight and a completely different color!!”
“Really?!” Hazel excitedly said, “Will Gran’s hair grow back purple?! That is my favorite color!!”
I laughed.
“Probably not!!” I said.
“Will Gran’s hair grow back pink?” asked Charlotte in a soft-spoken tone of voice, “That is my favorite color!!”
“No….” I said with a cockeyed smirk written on my face, “But pink just so happens to be the international color for breast cancer, though!!”
“It is?!” said Charlotte with a smile written on her face at last.
“Yes!!” I said, “That is pretty neat, huh?”
“Yeah!!” agreed Charlotte, “It is!!”
Then Charlotte grew momentarily quiet.
“I did not want to see Gran different….” Charlotte confided, “Like another person…. I did not want to see Gran change….”
“I know….” I said, “I understand your thoughts, feelings and emotions….”
“But Gran is still the same Gran as she was before!!” said an insightful Hazel.
“That’s right!!” I said with a smile written on my face, “Gran is still loving, still fun, still nurturing!! She will still bake delicious chocolate chip cookies with you, still ask if you’re alright, still make pizza for lunch!! Gran is just mostly bald right now, that’s all!!”
But Charlotte still looked visibly sad.
“Come here,” I said on that sunny day, “I am going to drive you—and Hazel—somewhere!! Go put your shoes on!!”
“Alright!!” said Hazel, who immediately ran off and put her purple-colored sandals on.
“Why?” asked Charlotte, with a sense of hesitation in her voice, “Where are we going?”
“To Mary’s Place!!” I explained, “Come on!! It will be fun!!”
“Mary’s Place….” said Hazel, who absolutely loves Bruce Springsteen, “You mean the song?”
“Yes!!” I answered.
“But how do you ‘go’ to a song?” asked Charlotte, as she put her pink-colored sandals on.
“Mmmm….” I said, as I held The Rising in my hand, “We push play. We close our eyes. Then we listen and feel everything!! For, no matter what happens to Gran—breast cancer, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, baldness—it will be alright!! Why? Because we’re at Mary’s Place!! But first, we hop into my car!! Let’s go!!”
And hop into my red-colored 2014 Subaru Forester we did!! I buckled both Charlotte’s and Hazel’s car seats. I put The Rising in my vehicle’s CD player. And I immediately skipped over to track number eleven, which is ‘Mary’s Place’!! Within seconds, we were transported, we were moved, we were taken away…. To Mary’s Place!! Neither Charlotte, Hazel nor I stepped foot out of my car. Because we did not have to!! Charlotte and Hazel closed their little eyes. So did I. Then the girls listened and felt everything as Bruce sang!! So did I….
Because Mary’s Place is a refuge, an amazing shelter and church all rolled into one!!
“Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Tell me how do we get this thing started; Meet me at Mary's place….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang in unison on the top of our vocal chords.
“Familiar faces around me; Laughter fills the air; Your lovin’ grace surrounds me; Everybody's here; Furniture's out on the front porch; Music's up loud; I dream of you in my arms; I lose myself in the crowd….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang together.
“Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Tell me how do you live broken-hearted; Meet me at Mary's place….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang in unison on the top of our vocal chords.
“I got a picture of you in my locket; I keep it close to my heart; A light shinin’ in my breast; Leadin’ me through the dark; Seven days, seven candles; In my window light your way; Your favorite record's on the turntable; I drop the needle and pray; (Turn it up); Band's countin' out midnight; (Turn it up); Floor's rumblin' loud; (Turn it up); Singer's callin' up daylight; (Turn it up); And waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up)….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang together.
I then temporarily pushed pause.
“Are you ready for me to turn Brucey up, girls?!” I asked.
“Yeah!!” replied Charlotte and Hazel simultaneously.
“Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang in unison on the top of our vocal chords.
And then ‘Mary’s Place’ ended, so we obviously stopped singing.
“Do you remember that list of breast cancer survivors which I mentioned earlier?” I asked Charlotte and Hazel, “They are—in my opinion—heroines!! Each and every one of them!!”
“What does ‘heroine’ mean?” asked a curious Charlotte, “I do not know that word!!”
“What a good question!!” I said, “Heroine means female hero!!”
I paused momentarily.
“You know what I think?” I said, “Those breast cancer survivors—and that will definitely include Gran someday—are much more than heroines!! They’re superheroes!! Just like Wonder Woman!!”
“And Batgirl?” asked Charlotte.
“Yes!!” I agreed, “Definitely just like Batgirl!!”
“Wait….” said Hazel, “Is Gran just like Supergirl, too?”
“Yes!!” I said, “I cannot wait to add Gran to all of those inspiring, amazing, admirable, resilient breast cancer survivors!!”
Yep…. I thought, My Mom is just like Supergirl…. Wonder Woman…. Batgirl…. Storm…. Black Widow…. Rogue…. Gamora…. Jean Grey…. Just like every single female superhero that has been created!!
“Can we go back to Mary’s Place?” said Charlotte, “Put it on repeat!!”
“Yeah!!” agreed Hazel, “I want to go back to Mary’s Place, too!!”
“Sure!!” I said, with a smile written on my face.
And go back to Mary’s Place we did!!
Note…. ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’ was not initially going to be a children’s story. Hmmm…. I do not remember what ‘genre’ ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’ was going to fall under. {As a rebellious artist, I absolutely hate that word…. ‘Genre’. It feels so limiting to my God-given gifts and abilities!! Anyway….} I was feeling somewhat like a visionary {Blogging Friends say that my fictional stories are brilliant, which must mean that I'm brilliant, but I do not buy it!!} after Google-searching children’s books about Grandmas having breast cancer. I found nothing. So I wrote one!!
“Keep On Keepin’ On”
Cancer. It is probably the most frightening word in our dictionary. For ‘cancer’ brings a sense of uncertainty, it brings a sense of mystery, it brings worries, fears—and prayers sent toward Heaven—along with it. There are doctor’s appointments, there are operations, there are seemingly countless medications which need to be taken…. Including chemotherapy and radiation treatments.
For, no matter how severe—or how ‘highly curable’ it is—cancer sucks.
“Roberta. Susan. Sally. Nancy. Rita. Sheryl. Christina. Robin. Olivia. Wanda. Teresa. Judy. Gloria. Cynthia. Maggie. Carly. Jaclyn. Kathy. Suzanne. Kylie. Giuliana. Hoda,” I said to my nieces, Charlotte and Hazel, “Do you know one thing that these beautiful, strong, brave, courageous women all have in common?”
“What?” Charlotte and Hazel asked simultaneously.
“They are all—each and every one of them—breast cancer survivors!!” I said.
“Really?” exclaimed Hazel, despite not really understanding what I was talking about, “Wow!!”
“What does ‘survivor’ mean?” asked an inquisitive Charlotte, “I do not know that word!!”
“What a good question!!” I said, “It means that they had breast cancer {just like Gran does} but their doctors helped them get better!! They are healthy now!!”
“Did all of those girls lose their hair and go bald?” asked Hazel, “Like what happened to Gran?”
“Yes,” I answered, “They all did. Because one of the medications that those women’s doctors gave them—called chemotherapy—causes complete hair loss. But it was only temporary baldness!! Eventually, those breast cancer survivors all did have their hair grow back!! And so will Gran’s, too, someday!!”
“Like when Mama gave me a haircut?” asked Hazel, “It is growing back, now!!”
“You mean when you gave yourself a haircut?” I said with an enormous smile written on my face, “Well.... Now Gran has a ‘not haircut’!! Get it?!”
I laughed at my joke.
“Yeah!!” said Hazel, “Because Gran does not have any hair!!”
“Charlotte?” I gently said, “You’re suddenly being very quiet over there…. Which is uncharacteristic of you!! Talk to me…. Come on….”
And then Charlotte suddenly interrupted my talking by letting out a wild, crazy, annoyed-sounding, frustrated growl.
“Charlotte….” I softly and patiently said, “What’s the matter? Is your little, very smart, brilliant, genius—yet still childlike—mind processing everything that’s been happening to Gran? What are you thinking, baby….?”
I paused to listen for Charlotte’s soft-spoken answers from such a sensitive soul…. But there were none.
“Charlotte?” I said, “Baby, we do not have to talk about Gran {or breast cancer} if you don’t want to!! I will change the subject!!”
Stay emotionally and mentally strong, Hannah Louise, I thought to myself, For Charlotte. For Hazel. For their baby brother—my nephew—Oscar. For Mom, who is the one that has breast cancer. For myself. To quote Bob Dylan from his song, ‘Tangled Up In Blue’…. ‘The only thing I knew how to do was to keep on keepin’ on like a bird that flew….’ We are very good at that. Because…. As a family who has persevered though plenty of trials and tribulations, we keep on keepin’ on!! Breast cancer? Chemotherapy? Radiation treatment? We keep on keepin’ on…. Yes, ‘like a bird that flew’!! Stay emotionally and mentally strong, Hannah Louise. Now is not the time to fall apart!! Now is the time that I become more confident in myself!! Now is the time for growing up, for maturity!! Now is the time to ‘keep on keepin’ on like a bird that flew’.... Even when I do not feel like it!! Take that, Self-Doubt!!
“I miss Gran’s hair….” Charlotte finally said, “It was so pretty, it was white and grey-colored, it was curly, and it always smelled good…. Will Gran’s hair really grow back….?”
“Yes!!” I exclaimed, “And not only that…. But Gran’s hair might even grow back straight and a completely different color!!”
“Really?!” Hazel excitedly said, “Will Gran’s hair grow back purple?! That is my favorite color!!”
I laughed.
“Probably not!!” I said.
“Will Gran’s hair grow back pink?” asked Charlotte in a soft-spoken tone of voice, “That is my favorite color!!”
“No….” I said with a cockeyed smirk written on my face, “But pink just so happens to be the international color for breast cancer, though!!”
“It is?!” said Charlotte with a smile written on her face at last.
“Yes!!” I said, “That is pretty neat, huh?”
“Yeah!!” agreed Charlotte, “It is!!”
“I did not want to see Gran different….” Charlotte confided, “Like another person…. I did not want to see Gran change….”
“I know….” I said, “I understand your thoughts, feelings and emotions….”
“But Gran is still the same Gran as she was before!!” said an insightful Hazel.
“That’s right!!” I said with a smile written on my face, “Gran is still loving, still fun, still nurturing!! She will still bake delicious chocolate chip cookies with you, still ask if you’re alright, still make pizza for lunch!! Gran is just mostly bald right now, that’s all!!”
But Charlotte still looked visibly sad.
“Come here,” I said on that sunny day, “I am going to drive you—and Hazel—somewhere!! Go put your shoes on!!”
“Alright!!” said Hazel, who immediately ran off and put her purple-colored sandals on.
“Why?” asked Charlotte, with a sense of hesitation in her voice, “Where are we going?”
“To Mary’s Place!!” I explained, “Come on!! It will be fun!!”
“Mary’s Place….” said Hazel, who absolutely loves Bruce Springsteen, “You mean the song?”
“Yes!!” I answered.
“But how do you ‘go’ to a song?” asked Charlotte, as she put her pink-colored sandals on.
“Mmmm….” I said, as I held The Rising in my hand, “We push play. We close our eyes. Then we listen and feel everything!! For, no matter what happens to Gran—breast cancer, chemotherapy, radiation treatment, baldness—it will be alright!! Why? Because we’re at Mary’s Place!! But first, we hop into my car!! Let’s go!!”
And hop into my red-colored 2014 Subaru Forester we did!! I buckled both Charlotte’s and Hazel’s car seats. I put The Rising in my vehicle’s CD player. And I immediately skipped over to track number eleven, which is ‘Mary’s Place’!! Within seconds, we were transported, we were moved, we were taken away…. To Mary’s Place!! Neither Charlotte, Hazel nor I stepped foot out of my car. Because we did not have to!! Charlotte and Hazel closed their little eyes. So did I. Then the girls listened and felt everything as Bruce sang!! So did I….
Because Mary’s Place is a refuge, an amazing shelter and church all rolled into one!!
“Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Tell me how do we get this thing started; Meet me at Mary's place….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang in unison on the top of our vocal chords.
“Familiar faces around me; Laughter fills the air; Your lovin’ grace surrounds me; Everybody's here; Furniture's out on the front porch; Music's up loud; I dream of you in my arms; I lose myself in the crowd….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang together.
“Let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain, let it rain; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Meet me at Mary's place, we're gonna have a party; Tell me how do you live broken-hearted; Meet me at Mary's place….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang in unison on the top of our vocal chords.
“I got a picture of you in my locket; I keep it close to my heart; A light shinin’ in my breast; Leadin’ me through the dark; Seven days, seven candles; In my window light your way; Your favorite record's on the turntable; I drop the needle and pray; (Turn it up); Band's countin' out midnight; (Turn it up); Floor's rumblin' loud; (Turn it up); Singer's callin' up daylight; (Turn it up); And waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up); Waitin' for that shout from the crowd; (Turn it up)….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang together.
I then temporarily pushed pause.
“Are you ready for me to turn Brucey up, girls?!” I asked.
“Yeah!!” replied Charlotte and Hazel simultaneously.
“Turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up, turn it up….” Charlotte, Hazel and I sang in unison on the top of our vocal chords.
And then ‘Mary’s Place’ ended, so we obviously stopped singing.
“Do you remember that list of breast cancer survivors which I mentioned earlier?” I asked Charlotte and Hazel, “They are—in my opinion—heroines!! Each and every one of them!!”
“What does ‘heroine’ mean?” asked a curious Charlotte, “I do not know that word!!”
“What a good question!!” I said, “Heroine means female hero!!”
I paused momentarily.
“You know what I think?” I said, “Those breast cancer survivors—and that will definitely include Gran someday—are much more than heroines!! They’re superheroes!! Just like Wonder Woman!!”
“And Batgirl?” asked Charlotte.
“Yes!!” I agreed, “Definitely just like Batgirl!!”
“Wait….” said Hazel, “Is Gran just like Supergirl, too?”
“Yes!!” I said, “I cannot wait to add Gran to all of those inspiring, amazing, admirable, resilient breast cancer survivors!!”
Yep…. I thought, My Mom is just like Supergirl…. Wonder Woman…. Batgirl…. Storm…. Black Widow…. Rogue…. Gamora…. Jean Grey…. Just like every single female superhero that has been created!!
“Can we go back to Mary’s Place?” said Charlotte, “Put it on repeat!!”
“Yeah!!” agreed Hazel, “I want to go back to Mary’s Place, too!!”
“Sure!!” I said, with a smile written on my face.
And go back to Mary’s Place we did!!
The eclipse here was stunning, we send encouraging wooos!
ReplyDeleteNukNuk & Timber
NukNuk & Timber….
DeleteThank-you for the comment, Friends!!
‘The eclipse here was stunning’…. I know, right?! My youngest brother, Michael—who has Down syndrome—described Monday’s solar eclipse in the very best way possible…. ‘It’s like magic’!! Well, I cannot agree more!! ;)
‘….we send encouraging woos!’ Thank-you!! My dear friend appreciates that!! ;-D
That eclipse really was like magic.
ReplyDeleteToday is Daffodil Day in Australia.
Love Charlotte and Hannah Louise's interaction.
"Heroine" is a word and concept I've come to reflect on over the years, Raelyn.
And I loved the way Hannah Louise named the survivors.
"And go back to Mary's Place we did".
Yes - just like every superhero ever created.
One of my heroes is Marie Curie - and of course she developed cancer after radium and polonium and working in the laboratory all day. I can see her talking to her daughters Irene and Eve like this - she did not live to see her grandchildren or her great-grand-ones as a cancer survivor can often do today.
I wonder what will happen when the girls discover Susan Komen ... there is a campaign I became aware of in early 2010 called Think before you pink.
Adelaide…..
DeleteThank-you for the comment, Friend!!
‘That eclipse really was like magic.’ I know, right?! At one point? It looked like a fiery crescent moon…. During another moment? I literally said to myself—in an incredibly weird, crazy, silly voice—‘who took a bite out of the sun?!’ Ha!! Did you notice the strange, eerie waves of light on houses, grounds and buildings?! I had read about that being something weird which can happen—‘snakes’ they called them—and I saw it!! Well…. I just so happen to like weird things—and people—plus I also possess a sharp eye for detail!! I guess it pays to be an oddball!! ;)
‘Love Charlotte and Hannah Louise's interaction.’ Me too!! ;)
“‘Heroine” is a word and concept I've come to reflect on over the years.’ Yeah…. I thought about using the word ‘shero’, which is—based on observation—a little more popular these days, feminist and, most likely, politically correct. However. ‘Heroine’ is an old-fashioned word…. I have never, ever done what everybody else is doing…. And ‘heroine’ is still a harmless, non-offensive word!! I almost used ‘shero’…. But I chose ‘heroine’, instead!! ;-D
‘And I loved the way Hannah Louise named the survivors.’ Fun fact…. Those breast cancer survivors? They are all the names of real women!! They’re mostly celebrities {such as Rita Wilson, for example} but three of them are women who I have known personally!! ;)
‘Yes - just like every superhero ever created.’ Exactly!! Those breast cancer survivors are like soldiers who have been through a war…. :-(
I will need to look up Marie Curie, because I’ve never heard of her!! She developed cancer after radium and polonium and working in the laboratory all day? Sad…. :-(
Sorry, long reply…. I so cannot do Twitter!! Ha!! ;-D
Raelyn:
ReplyDeleteI noticed that you found a gap in the market [about grandmothers; grandchildren and breast cancer - maybe some children would like to read about their grandfather also - it is a very rare thing though it does happen].
Usually children's books are written for 0-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12; 13+.
Age banding can help narrow things down.
And there are Lexile levels too. In 1993 I had written several children's readers and again in 2005.
And out of all the books on Amazon?
At the moment there is a big campaign for women to get themselves mammogrammed first when they're 40 and then every five years up until 70. Or else every year between those age bands.
And when it comes to kids and genre fiction - you are thinking like Beatrix Potter who wrote her first books for children she knew like her governess's son Peter when he was very sick. And her naturalist temperament comes out very strongly in her emphasis and her style. When you read "Squirrel Nutkin" or "Jemima Puddleduck" or "Two Bad Mice". As for Beatrix Potter biographies - I highly recommend Margaret Lane and Linda Lear. The former was bequeathed by my father; the latter I bought at a bargain book shop.
And I am trying to remember if Potter wrote about dogs like Rosalita.
I am also reading a little bit into Science of Mind/Religious Science. Which is not like the other Sciences you may have known about before like Christian Science - perhaps I had misunderstood Louise Hay some. I am reasonably sure I did not understand Louise Linton and her behaviour which has eclipsed decorum and new-money-convention. I had already been furious with her last year for writing her book about Zambia and the Congo - which was your fairly standard missions/humanitarian text about a gap year in the field.
And self-doubt makes you grow too, Hannah Louise!
Adelaide….
DeleteThank-you for the comment, Friend!! Again!! ;-D
‘I noticed that you found a gap in the market [about grandmothers; grandchildren and breast cancer - maybe some children would like to read about their grandfather also - it is a very rare thing though it does happen].’ True…. Men can get breast cancer, as well. However. My dear friend is a woman, a daughter, a Gran!! Now…. If I knew of somebody who is male and enduring breast cancer—I’m also good friends with many of these dear older friends’ husbands—then I might create a fictional story about that!! Talk about being somewhat revolutionary!! Talk about going somewhere different as an artist…. Where, most likely, nobody else has gone before!! Talk about being somewhat of a visionary!! I should write about a male character who has breast cancer!! Nah!! ;)
‘Usually children's books are written for 0-2; 3-5; 6-8; 9-12; 13+.’ Yeah…. I kind of suck at writing children’s stories!! Why? Because, I have been told that my fictional stories are too long for children’s short attention spans {I agree} and that I need to shorten them!! So—with the exception of ‘Keep On Keepin’ On’—I do not write children’s stories anymore!! Because…. I obviously did not listen and make my fictional stories shorter!! Anyway…. My fictional stories are not short. Well…. Neither are Bob Dylan’s songs, so, I am in good company!! Then, after having no clue as to who on Earth I was as an artist and feeling lost for a while, I just kept writing!! Anyway…. Right now, I am more of the drama/feel-good story/tragedian type…. But that, of course, is limiting my God-given gifts, talents and abilities to at least twain ‘genres’!! ;-D
‘And out of all the books on Amazon?’ I searched…. There were children’s books about Mamas who are battling breast cancer {which broke my heart…. No little one should ever see their Mommy walk through cancer’s hell!!} However. Nothing was written and published about a Grandma who is journeying through breast cancer!! So I wrote one!! ;)
‘At the moment there is a big campaign for women to get themselves mammogrammed first when they're 40 and then every five years up until 70. Or else every year between those age bands.’ Yes, a mammogram saved my dear friend’s Life by catching her breast cancer in its early stages!! ;-D
‘And when it comes to kids and genre fiction - you are thinking like Beatrix Potter who wrote her first books for children she knew like her governess's son Peter when he was very sick. And her naturalist temperament comes out very strongly in her emphasis and her style.’ Mom absolutely loves Beatrix Potter!! As far as feeling like the word ‘genre’ limits my God-given gifts, talents and abilities as an artist, I am actually being influenced—and inspired—by Bruce Springsteen…. Who is way more versatile than just ‘A Rocker’!! ;)
‘Self-doubt makes you grow too, Hannah Louise!’ Very true!! I will tell that to Hannah Louise…. Since she is, after all a ‘real’ character in my head, heart and soul!! She will appreciate that!! ;-D
Sorry, long reply…. Again!! Ugh, I so cannot do Twitter…. ;-}