My sister is not happy with me right now.
It's because I took
Flight to the
writer's conference. Prior to going, I submitted a bit of
Flight for a scholarship. When my sister found out, she said, "How come strangers can read it, but you won't let me?"
"Because they're strangers and it's for you."
I didn't really think I would get the scholarship. It was the first scene I ever wrote for
Flight (and one of the only scenes I know will be in the final story), an action sequence with
Benjamin and the main character, Phoenix.
Somebody liked it. Or maybe they thought I needed to come to the conference and get help. Either way, I got a partial scholarship! If you have ever seen the movie
Little Women, you have a good picture of how I pranced around the house ("Five whole dollars! I'm an AUTHOR!").
When I showed the scholarship to my sister, I said, "Look! They paid me for Flight! I told you it was a story worth waiting for!"
She rolled her eyes. "It would still be better if you let me read it."
At the conference, I brought the same piece to Teen Track for critiquing. They were extremely helpful and said they liked it.
I probably shouldn't have told my sister that the Teen Track saw it, but I was so encouraged by their responses. She was even more than less than unhappy ("Savvy?") that some people know a lot more about Flight than she does.
Today, my sister asked, "So, wait, is Phoenix a phoenix?"
"I cannot divulge that information," I said.
"Do the Teen Trackers know what kind of bird Phoenix is?"
"Uhm... yeeeeees?"
She slapped me. Apparently, secrets do not make friends. This story better be worth it.
Post Tenebras Lux!
-ST
By the way, my sister and I still have a good relationship despite her annoyance with Flight. In fact, she just did make-up testing on my face.
"Why are you putting primer on my eyelids? I'm not a wall!"
"No, but you are a canvas. Close your eyes."
