 A Letter to my ReadersMost people aren't aware of this, but when I was growing up, Br'er Rabbit himself lived on our Georgia farm; the bearded man who passed our house on his daily walks to town was an enemy spy, and a troll lurked inside the wardrobe in our dark back hall. In an era before play stations and video games, we were forced to devise our own entertainment, and the need for structured recreation had not yet occurred to organizers in our little town. We dared not complain of boredom, either. Who wanted to spend the day sweeping the porch or stringing beans? In adventures of our own making we explored on bikes, roller skates, and our own two feet the wonders of the meandering streets, wooded hills and shallow streams that made up our playground. I realize now how fortunate I was to be a child in such a place and time. And when friends weren't available (and sometimes even when they were), I stepping happily into the worlds of Nancy Drew, Judy Bolton, Tom Sawyer, Heidi, Jo March, and my favorite, Mary Lennox of "The Secret Garden." Our town library had one copy and I had to wait all summer to get it. How exciting to sit in the comfort of one's own tree house, front porch, or arm chair and experience a wonderful adventure with characters we consider our friends! As a young reader I enjoyed putting myself in someone else's place, becoming that person in my mind. I still do. And when I write, I do the same. From the safety of my creaky office chair I shiver in the chill of early December as Lucy Nan, her friend Ellis, and guardian angel Augusta Goodnight search for the perfect Christmas tree and stumble upon a frightening spectacle. Fear of that troll in the wardrobe leaps to life again. Did that shadow move up ahead? Was that a footstep just behind me? In HARK! THE HERALD ANGEL SCREAMED, I again welcome my readers to Stone's Throw, South Carolina, and the Thursday Morning Literary Society (which now meets on Monday afternoons). So pull up a chair by the fire and help string popcorn for the tree. Christmas is almost here and Augusta's been baking all week. Have a cookie…have two. But don't look in the wardrobe! Listed below are a few previous "Letter to Readers". Back to the top |