One potato, two potato...

Okay, so I finish one book and now I have kids' stories coming out my ..ears. I can't stop. I suppose this is quite a very good thing.

Let me explain...

So in a cheap attempt to draw some attention to myself - or to Miss Butterfly, rather - I have posted a link to this blog (yep, still hate that word) on the MySpace bulletin board. For those of you who don't know (and this is most of you), I have written a book. Not "am writing," not "want to write," but "have written." This, not counting the feat of bearing three perfect children, is the singularly most impressive accomplishment of my humble little life. Anyone who knows me well knows that, while I am the most dependable, loyal, steadfast friend in the world, I have, in the past, experienced incredible difficulty completing things after I've started them. Okay, enough about me.

Alexandria Butterfly is a story, written in the spirit of the classic fairytale canon, about a little girl who (you guessed it) embarks upon a mystical quest (whatever for?) to find her missing sister. Along the way, she acquires the astute facilitation of two ever familiar archetypes who divulge their seemingly endless knowledge to this little child hero who is destined to (right again!) save the day. A magical dreamworld provides the key to unlocking the dark secrets that have kept Alexandria and her sister apart for so long, and with her helpers' wise counsel, everyone lives (yes, I am going to say it) happily ever after. At least we think so. Upon a final reading of the manuscript, I realized how wide open I've left it; there it is, I thought, cocking my head (so the gears would stop turning), practically begging for continuation in a sequel. (Or two. Three? Ack.)

So there you have it.

Those of you who have helped me along, inspired me, taught me, critiqued me, encouraged me, advised me, provided the most splendid of suggestions ...you know who you are. Well, hell, maybe you don't. But you will! Believe me, your names are gonna be right up there in the front of that shiny new book below those words, "I'd like, with all my squishy little heart, to thank..."

The manuscript, now close to 8,000 words, is currently in the hands of an agent who is a former senior editor for HarperCollins Childrens. He has shown interest in my writing (*blush*) and requested that I expand it to fit the criteria for a Chapter Book (it was a 'tweener - too long for a Picturebook), so I've sent a revised version to him and am awaiting his lightning speed response. Seriously, this man is on top of things. But no more details now. It is 10:33 and I must take off the Writer suit for now and don the Sleepy Mommy suit for the night, for I have many Mommy things to do tomorrow.

Goodnight, sweet dreams..

On the verge of an agent

Checking the mail is the most exciting part of my day. This particular week, anyway.