It's That Time Again...
March is my birthday month (yay), and I always look forward to it (yes, even as I get older… and older):)
Each year, in preparation for the big day, I think about how I would like to celebrate the passing of the previous year and the welcoming of the next. I have spent birthdays enjoying my favorite meals, being pampered at beautiful spas, riding my favorite attractions at Disneyland, playing laser tag with some of my closest friends, receiving surprise deliveries (including a year when two of my besties showed-up on my college campus in prom dresses and roller skates), AND always eating my fair share of cake (or pie – I love both equally).
For my birthday this year I again gave thought to the festivities, and I decided that as part of an extended celebration, I wanted to reread some of my favorite books from childhood. Anne of Green Gables, The Secret Garden, Little Women, The Island of Blue Dolphins, Charlotte’s Web, Huckleberry Finn, at least one (but preferably more) Judy Blume titles, a stack of Choose Your Own Adventures, etc… I am still reading through my sizeable heap (and might be extending this part of the celebration well into April), but I can already confirm that it has been quite glorious! There are few things more special than spending time with fictional friends who kept me company, inspired and encouraged me, and helped shape my young life (and my lifelong love of reading).
If you’d like to get me a belated birthday gift, please go to your local, independent bookstore (or library) and find a new story to explore (and send me a message to let me know what you chose). Happy Reading!
Oh, and in case you didn’t hear, Mother Nature also gave me a little, belated birthday present of her own… in the form of SNOW… in MID-MARCH! Our first – and likely only – snow of the year. It was lovely.
What I’m Reading
Anne of Green Gables By Lucy Maud Montgomery
This has been crowned (anew) one of my all-time favorite books!
Anne Shirley!!! She has to be one of the most fully realized and delightful characters I have come across in all of my years of reading. Her monologues are the stuff of story magic. And I had almost forgotten how much I adore Matthew from the start - and Marilla more and more as the story progresses. The rich setting details are an absolute master class. And that ending... somehow both heartbreaking and wholly satisfying.
While I must admit that there are scenes that I would have liked to be able to linger in longer (or fully experience - versus being told about and then never allowed to enter), this book is one that changed my life in my youth (and breathed new life into this season), and so I forgive its small faults. What I leave this most recent reading knowing for sure is that we need more Anne Shirleys in the world!
https://bookshop.org/a/120532/9780451528827
Also read this month: Blubber, Little Women, Island of the Blue Dolphins, The Secret Garden
[Please note: The links for purchasing books are affiliate links and will offer me a small percentage of the purchase price if you choose to grab your copy of recommended books through their site. If you choose to utilize, thanks for the support!]
What are you reading and loving lately?
What I’m Watching
I love storytelling (in all of its forms). Right now my husband and I are obsessed with Shrinking (on Apple TV+). It just seems to get stronger and more compelling as it goes, and we are here for it. Also, Michael J. Fox!
Oh, and on the movie front, have you seen Rental Family? I can’t stop talking about it.
Anything you’ve seen lately that I need to add to my queue?
What I’m Writing
I have spent most of this month editing (and reediting) my short stories for publication. Most recently, I have been working on a piece inspired by an unplanned reunion that changed my young life. I hope to be able to share these stories in their entirety once they find a home.
Oh, and for those who are following along with my novel news, I have sent query letters to about five agents this month. It is a slow (and confusing and sometimes overwhelming) process, but it’s all part of the journey. That said, if you know an agent or publisher who is just itching to get their hands on a YA, magical-realism book, please feel free to send them my way :)
What’s Making Me Smile
If you aren’t already familiar with We Rate Dogs, you’re welcome :) https://youtu.be/roWnSXgLWhc?si=LWhBJG1tnomsrPT5 I
f you have stumbled upon anything extra delightful lately, I always love a good laugh!
A Little Unsolicited Writing Advice
When you write a story, make sure you include sensory details to help fully immerse your readers in the world you are creating. What does your protagonist see? What do they hear? What do they smell? What do they taste? What do they feel - physically and emotionally?
The more concrete and specific you make these offerings, the better!
Do you have other specific questions you’d like me to tackle in coming newsletters? If yes, just send me a quick message, and I will do my best to choose one or two per month.
BONUS: A Random Fact About Me (For Fun?)
I celebrated my 30th birthday salsa dancing with friends at a club in Bogota, Colombia (where I was spending a school year volunteering at a bilingual/bicultural school).
And for those of you who asked to sneak a peek at those matching blue vests from my college singing/drama days (mentioned in the February newsletter), I must apologize. I could not find them captured in any of the photo archives, BUT in lieu of that… I offer you this treat from our BIG tryout. We wore coordinating collared shirts and black cords instead of vests, but it’s all still quite atrocious in its own right. So… Enjoy?
Thank you, friends, for joining me on this leg of my journey. If you have other bookish friends who might enjoy my newsletter content, please feel free to share.
And don’t forget to hit me up with some of your responses to posed questions. I really would love to hear from you!
Gina
ginahandley.com