"A Problem Page For All!"

I've always loved novelizations of faery tales (Robin McKinley's Beauty, Rose Daughter, and Spindle's End; Gail Carson Levine's Ella Enchanted; there are lots out there). I've tried my hand at it time and again; I have an absolutely hilarious incomplete manuscript of a retelling of Cinderella which I penned when I was about...nine years old. It involves "Ella" inviting the king's footman into the house for a cup of java, then going to the ball dressed in "rose-colored satin and a black wig" (to avoid recognition). Later, she dances with the prince and discovers they have much in common -- "the prince's favorite food was pepperoni pizza and his favorite school subject was art, the same as Ella."

Those were the days. Anyway, I suspect I may have lost some of the nine-year-old's panache, but I must try anyway. (Does

Baptista crinkled her nose at Adora and rose to put her hands on Dad’s shoulders. She gazed up into his face, opening her eyes very wide. It would have taken amusement out of how blatantly she acted and how fleetly Dad fell into her trap—if I hadn’t been so worried about Mom.

capture the imagination?) I started writing about a week ago, and I've written about half a chapter, as I said. Nothing for the past couple of days; I've been busy with another project -- to wit, researching cover letters, SASEs, and manuscript subtitles. Submitting, my darlings. Submitting my work (my heart, my soul, my lifeblood, as Reannon puts it) to publishers. I haven't mailed any fat package to an office in an anonymous building -- yet. But I will.

This project has been jumping around in my head for years. It feels so wonderful to be letting it out. Do you still want to read what I've written, Catsy? I'll e-mail it to you, and appreciate your comments, if you're willing.



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