Inspriation and when it smacks you in the face....

I've always wanted to write.... I just never had the guts to do it until now.  I don't know exactly what changed in me, but over the last few weeks something inside me certainly did. 

I was given a shadow box made by my Aunt.  It was filled with old trinkets that once belonged to my Great Grandmother, Leila and her husband, Bill.  An old photo, abalone clad salt and pepper shakers, a fountain pen engraved with Bill's name.... an old pocket watch, a class pin from 1924, and tucked behind some dried flowers was an old letter... addressed to Leila.

For months I've walked by this shadow box always glancing as I passed.  The old photo of Leila at about three years old, in a bonnet, coat, and boots, walking hand in hand with a little boy taken in about 1909.... always makes me smile.... but it was the little fragile letter tucked in the back that really piqued my attention. 

One night, after tucking all three of my kids in bed.  I went to the den and took the box from the wall.  I gently slid back the glass, being careful to not disturb the contents, which have not been touched for more than 20 years I'm sure.... Carefully, I pulled the letter from where it sat, relieved it was not held down with glue or anything that could damage it.

It was addressed to my Great Grandmother before she was married.... June 1925 on the postmark.  I carefully opened it and was at that moment inspired to write. 

The letter was from her first love... a love she walked away from but in her heart always wondered "what would have been?" 

After folding it and slipping it back in the shadow box I called my mom to tell her what I had found.  I was pleasantly surprised to hear my mother had even more letters, from the same boy, to Leila... In addition, another letter existed, which made my story only richer.... a letter to Hattie, Leila's mother.... it was dated February 1903... from a Will Smith... her first love who broke her heart, almost leaving her an old maid.

So, here I am.  One month later, completely obsessed with the women in this story.  It's a story set in a rural Missouri town and it's a story worth telling. 

Who knows if my dream of being a published author with my works lining the shelves of Barnes and Noble (hopefully, the ones right when you walk in the door) will come true or not... but, I'm going to take the chance.   So far, I'd say it's pretty good!  Heck!  I want to keep writing it and hopefully you'll want to read it.

In the meantime I'm going to blog my way through as I take the journey through the turn of the twentieth century and beyond.  I hope you enjoy the ride as much as I do! 

Oh, if you know a good literary agent... send 'em my way!