I feel like I am full of writing ideas, but lacking in self discipline to write them, skill in articulating the ideas and confidence. I am thinking of a book about an adolescent girl who moves to Moldova. The premise of the book is that she is really negative when she gets there and thinks that everything is foreign but by the end of the book she realizes that beyond culture and differences people are the same. Simple for young children, about age 10-12, but something I might be able to manage.
I think I will try first person. I am loosely basing the story line on facts, but with lots of embellishments, obviously. I am trying to make the experience, however, as accurate as possible. I think that I will go with a journal as her method of recording her thoughts.
Here goes:
My Aunt Linda gave me this journal. My mom’s family is convinced that we will completely forget who any of them are since we will be living on the other side of the world for two years. Just before we left the United States we took a short trip to see them all in Texas. They threw one big party after another. They invited over every relative we ever had, even my third cousin twice removed. The evening before we left she peeked into the room where I was in bed, almost asleep.
“Hailey, can I come in?” She asked.
“Sure, Aunt Linda.” I replied, happy to visit with her. She is always really fun to talk to. She’s high fashion and creativity mixed together to make one really fun aunt.
“I have something for you.” She said, holding out two, matching leather bound books. “The big one is a journal for you for your time in Moldova. I know how you like to write, so I thought you might like to jot down your experiences here. The smaller one is something so you can remember us by.” I gently began thumbing through the small book. Each of my family members had written me a note of each of the pages. It was full of writing and drawings. I was so surprised. Warmth began to fill my heart and I knew, in that instant, I was really going to miss my family.
“Thank you.” I whispered.
“Hailey.” Another quiet voice came from the door. It was my Aunt Barbara. She is always full of comfort and smiles. She entered the room and sat on my bed beside her sister. “I have a little something for you, too.” She held up a backpack that was in her hand. “I bought it for you and filled it with all sorts of treasures that will keep you busy on the plane and remind you of your family during your time away from us. I unzipped the first pocket. It was full of colored pencils and sparkly pens, perfect for my new journal. I can only imagine what treats she filled in all the other compartments.
“Wait until you get on the airplane before you discover all that’s inside.” She said, and she put her hand over mine. Her eyes were beginning to get full of tears. I looked over at my Aunt Linda. She was tearing up, too.
“We’re really going to miss you.” Aunt Linda said.
“Always remember we love you.” Aunt Barbara added. They each kissed me on the forehead as they left the room.