The Decatur Book Festival was great fun! Met lots of interesting writers, illustrators, agents, etc. Thanks to all who came to support yours truly and My Dog, Me. Seeing your smiling faces in the audience means more than you know.  

Back to the masochism – writing, that is. It’s the Agony and the Ecstasy for sure (but Irving Stone already said this… the title of his book about Michelangelo.) I vowed not to write another kids book, but a Christmas story about Santa’s reindeer being all female (male reindeer shed their antlers in winter, while females keep their antlers). Hence, all Santa’s famous reindeer are female. Except for Rudolph – he’s copyrighted (created in 1939) and the family that owns the copyright will not grant permission to use it. Kind of like Mickey Mouse, Ariel, Belle, etc. – don’t even THINK about using these characters without permission from Disney, and even if the answer is “Yes” the writer must be prepared to pay a fortune which far outweighs any real reason for using them. 

But all the other reindeer  – Dasher, Dancer, Prancer, Vixen, Comet, Cupid, Donner, and Blitzen (created in 1910) – are part of the public domain, so I can use them in a story without having to pay for the privilege. The same reason you can sing Amazing Grace in church on Sundays (published in 1779) without your church having to pay a copyright fee.
These reindeer names are all non-gender specific, so why not be female? As for the head reindeer, I decided to call her Ruby. She’s from a Russian herd. Poor thing got lost in the Arctic so Santa adopted her. Same for Donner and Blitzen (from German for Thunder and Lightning).  These two sisters got separated from their German herd. All the others have their own stories.  Wait ‘til you hear about Vixen…

It’s all great fun. Since Santa chooses a different team to guide his sleigh every year, it is a great honor. This particular year of an all-female team, the male reindeer are jealous. Plus, girls will be girls… Santa’s list flies overboard so all the children receive real surprises on Christmas Day. The “reindears” all recognize their individual gifts and appreciate teamwork. Finally, the story ponders the secular reason we send holiday cards, bake cookies, have parties, sing Christmas carols, reach out to those alone. For some people the year has been a difficult one - lost loves, illness, bereavement, shattered dreams, etc. Because some people have lost their joy, it behooves the rest of us to bring peace into their hearts so that they welcome the New Year with open hearts. Nice, huh?

Check back for Chapter one of Santa’s Dears; it’s sure to get you in the Christmas spirit (or spirits…).

Sending my love to all, esp. my Beta Readers who are helping me edit Bitter Sugar.  You’re the best!

​Hey, all you book lovers in the Atlanta area. Be sure to put the Decatur Book Festival on your calendars. This is the second largest book festival in the country. It’s a great opportunity to attend author talks and rub shoulders with famous and soon-to-be famous authors. Whether you are a reader or a writer, it’s always great fun to see the latest and greatest in print. Writers from all genres are represented from including novels, romance, fantasy, memoirs, non-fiction, even erotica.

Using My Dog, Me as an illustration, I will be speaking about the process of writing a young readers book from inception through final product on Saturday, Sept. 2 with two other children’s authors at 1:45 – 2:30PM  at the Marriott Conference Center (130 Clairemont Ave. Decatur 30030- about one block from the Decatur Square).  Books will be available for sale outside the conference room.

I will also be giving a short presentation at the Emerging Writers Tent on the Decatur Square earlier that day at 11:30 and will be signing books for a short while after that.

So, come on down for a fun day. You never know who you might run into…

Thanks so much for your consistent support and encouragement. I’ll look for you! For more information go to www.decaturbookfestival.com/ 

Thanks to everyone who came to My Dog, Me book signing at Half Price Books in Marietta. It is only with your support and suggestions that a writer can grow with the confidence to begin again.

I am in final edit for my adult novel, Bitter Sugar, a historical novel circa 1860 set on a Baton Rouge sugar plantation. It’s a whodunit – think Agatha Christie type plot and Pat Conroy style of writing. Of course, not even pretending to be in their league, but a great admirer of their work. I have been working on Bitter Sugar for many years. It’s finally ready to submit to an agent and worthy of publication by one of the big houses in NY. Will keep you posted.
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Thanks again for all your support. And remember, My Dog, Me makes a great gift for a young reader, ages 6-11. Contact me for an autographed copy of the book, or a gift set that includes the book and a plush Australian Shepherd puppy with a bandana printed with Dundee (the dog’s name). The book is also available on amazon.com.

​Happy New Year, everyone! 
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Here’s a picture of my son, Tyler Perry, who is the inspiration for the Tyler in My Dog, Me. When he was playing Little League baseball in our neighborhood, we had the very conversation that prompted the story of this book. Of course, that was some 20+ years ago since he is now a C-17 pilot for the US Air Force. So, catalogue all those precious moments in your life that might someday become the inspiration for your book.

Happy memories and happy writing!
Rosemarie

I'd be remiss to not add my deepest gratitude to those of you who have supported my dream and purchased a copy of My Dog, Me for your personal libraries. For those of you who've not ordered your copy, why not head on over to Amazon now and make my heart smile! :)

Happy Fall, y’all!
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Update on My Dog, Me. The manuscript has been uploaded to CreateSpace for approval after rewrites and edits ad nauseum ( trust me…). 

How do you like the cover?  Tyler and Dundee are gazing at the lightening show, each one wishing he could switch places with the other. The pungent odor of ozone, which actually glows green, wafts through the window. Many thanks to Heather Lowrie, my illustrator, who translated my ideas into images and especially to Mary Clark, my webmistress, blessed with a special eye for color and design – and lots of patience.

​I will let you know when My Dog, Me is available on Amazon.com. Thanks for all your support.
Rosemarie

​"Woah", you say, gentle reader. But before you turn to the blog of your next favorite writer, hang on a second. Honestly, facing the challenge of revising My Dog, Me with a focus on this point of view, I’m having more fun than a pig in mud - providing I am not the pig who is in rolling around in the mud…

It makes me wonder, though, how often or not we put ourselves into the psyches of other humans – our spouses, friends, random people we meet during the day. You know I was a counselor for many years and I did this all the time, just part of a day’s work, without realizing the importance of this exercise. To get into the head of a student who was struggling and articulate the root of the struggle, to understand what the student was experiencing--whether it was a personal issue like failing a test, or parents who didn’t understand them, or friends/lovers who were deceitful and hurtful--that's what I mean. Sometimes the issues were more serious, criminal even, which required a heroic effort to “turn it off” when I left my office for the day after I did all I could to rectify the situation.

The lesson for me was to stop thinking my thoughts and just sit for a moment in the other person’s world. To go there with them. To feel with them.  To listen to them. Most of the time we can’t fix the problem, since it’s not our problem. Or as John Travolta says in the movie, Michael, “It’s not my area.”

Sometimes, though, listening, bearing witness to another’s pain is quite enough. When problems rolling around in the head can be heard by another person, it gives the person with the struggle the strength or permission to come up with a solution. And I discovered, they often do.
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So, back to my symbiosis with Dundee… Wish me luck.  “Woof!”

Thanks to all of you who read the chapters of My Dog, Me that I posted on this blog and to those who requested the “rest of the story” about Tyler and Dundee. Are they forever stuck, each in the other’s body? Is there a way out? Can you unwish a wish?

For those who inquired about the ending, you will receive a complimentary copy of My Dog, Me when it is formally published. Your interest means more than you know.

I am revising the manuscript after working with an editor. It’s a lot more difficult to put the consciousness of one species into another than I originally thought. Yes, it’s a children’s story, but as a writer it is imperative that it be logical within the boundaries of experience. A human consciousness within a dog’s body carries its own experiences, but within the limits of a canine brain. And vice versa. Okay never mind… I hardly get it myself. But it’s back to the drawing board, or laptop in this case.  Whoever said “A great writer is also a masochist” was right!

Until then, here are some images that will be embedded within the text. Heather Lowrie, a local high school senior, is the illustrator. She’s exceptionally talented, don’t you think? Heather also designed a watercolor cover for the book which is best described in one word, WOW!
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I will provide updates on the dates of publication. Thank you so, so much. I love hearing from you.
Rosemarie

A note from Rosemarie:  

Thank you so much for reading this blog that has included the first eleven chapters of My Dog, Me. The original manuscript was completed in 1998 but I didn’t have the confidence to seek publication at that time. I was a single mom with more important matters to address – like a mortgage payment and putting food on the table for Allison and Tyler. If you respond to this post with a comment, I will make sure that you know the “rest of the story.” I am working with CreateSpace, the publishing arm of Amazon to have it available soon to download or as a hard copy which will include illustrations by Heather Lowrie, an up and coming graphic artist. 

It is my sincere wish that you share this story with that special child in your life, even if it is that inner child who still wonders if wishes come true. 

Yes, Virginia (or insert your name here), you can make your wishes happen. Maybe not today, but if you keep working, you can achieve your fondest dreams.

My best to you,
Rosemarie

PS -  On to the final edit (I hope) of Bitter Sugar, my adult novel circa 1850 Louisiana sugar plantation which holds the secrets of abuse, damage, redemption, and healing. 

Ask the person reading with you to explain, “Be careful what you wish for.” Then think of a time you wished for something and was glad that your wish went unfulfilled.

​Chapter 11  "A New Problem"

“Boys, you’re all wet,” said Mom. “Dundee, I should still be mad at you, but I can’t stay mad at your forever. After all, you are my favorite doggie.” She began to wipe off his paws with a paper towel. “And as for you, Tyler, quick get out of that wet shirt and put on something dry.”

When Dundee returned in a cozy sweater, Mom said, “I’ve got some chocolate chip cookies for you.”
He could barely eat the cookie, although it was tasty. Dundee slipped one to Tyler who just let it fall to the floor. Mom noticed their sad faces.

“You both look like you have something heavy on your hearts.” She leaned over the pooch. “Dundee, I forgive you for being such a wild thing today. You know I love you.” Tyler looked up with sad doggie eyes, his ears bent low. Then Mom took Dundee by the hand and led him to the couch in the den. Tyler sat at her feet. She puffed one of the pillows and pulled Dundee onto the couch near her. She put her arm around his shoulder and snuggled closer. “What’s wrong, Son? Did you have a rough day at school?” She gently brushed the hair off his face and waited a moment. “You look so sad.”
Dundee turned to her shoulder and began to sob. Tyler put his head in her lap and joined in mournfully. Mom just sat there confused.

Dundee wiped his nose with his shirt sleeve. “Mom, did you ever wish for something that came true and then realized it wasn’t what you wanted after all?” Mom thought for a minute and then replied, “Yes, I remember how much I wanted a piano when I was a little girl. Then when Grandma and Gramps bought me one and made me practice every day, I wished I had asked for a baseball glove instead.

Dundee grinned and Tyler raised his head to listen. “Another time I wished for a baby sister. Grandma and Gramps brought home a baby brother instead. I was so angry. Seemed all they did was fuss over him. People came over and said how cute he was. Boy, was I jealous, thinking they loved him more than they loved me.”

“Really?” asked Dundee. “Yes, really. But I figured they loved us both the same. Just that some days they loved one of us more than the other. It all evens out.” Dundee laughed. “You know,” she continued. “It took me years to understand that. Eventually, Uncle Hank taught me how to catch a baseball. And I can still play Christmas carols on the piano.” She smiled. “Things do work out, most of the time.”

Tyler and Dundee looked at each other thinking Oh, great. Does this mean we have to get used to this?” “Oh no,” whispered Dundee to Tyler. “I don’t want to be a boy forever.” Tyler started a low growl, shaking his head side to side.  Great, just great. I’m not the doggie type either. Instinctively, Mom felt her son’s head, thinking he surely must be ill. There was no fever. Only a miserable little boy and an equally unhappy dog.

Neither creature felt like eating that night. Both went up to bed early. Mom made some tea and read a story to her darlings in bed, Dundee looking onto the pages as Tyler huddled in a ball nearby. The wind picked up and blew the curtains at the window. It had stopped raining but they could see lightening in the distance. The sky had a tinge of green. There was a funny smell, like chlorine bleach that Mom used to clean the bathroom.

“Mom, this is weird,” said Dundee. “I’m scared.” “No need, son. The funny smell is ozone. It happens sometimes before a lightning storm. But in the morning, everything will smell fresh. I promise.”

Dundee settled down, and they finished the story.  Mom went over to close the window, but left it cracked, just a little. “Tomorrow we’re going to move your bed to the other side of the room. I don’t like it so close to the window.”
“Why, Mom?”

“I was reading that scientists are researching some phenomenon that happens when a person makes a wish around ozone.”

“You mean it makes wishes come true?”

“Not sure. But it’s probably best not to get too close to that funny smell. Just in case,” she replied. “You know what Grandma always says, ‘Be careful what you wish for.’”

Tyler and Dundee looked at each other again thinking, Hmmmmm….

She tucked Dundee under the covers and patted Tyler’s head. Then she kissed both her “boys”, Dundee on his forehead and Tyler on his snout. Turning out the lights, she tiptoed out of the room.

After Mom’s footsteps faded in the hallway, Dundee and Tyler went to the window. The sky was a pale green and the aroma was greater than before. They sat on the floor facing each other and inhaled a deep breath, making a wish. Then Dundee closed the window just as the raindrops started splashing against the glass.

The two friends climbed back into bed and held each other close. Both were of the same mind. “I just don’t think I can go to school tomorrow and pretend to be you,” said Dundee. “It’s too hard.”

Tyler whined, What if I have to spend the rest of my life on all fours looking up people’s noses and sniffing dog butts?” Dundee laughed. “It’s really not so bad. But, we’ll figure it out tomorrow, Buddy,” said Dundee. “After all, we’re both pretty smart, right?” Dundee rolled on his side and slipped his arm over his friend’s warm body.
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Tyler nodded his head before settling in. But he wasn’t so sure anymore. The pitter patter of the rain sounded peaceful and he drifted off to sweeter dreams.
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