How I Develop My Children’s Story Books

"I own a delightfully well-behaved rabbit, and I am very fond of books and have learned nearly everything that I know from them. However, of all the things books haven't taught me, I learned from Sir Oliver Twisty Topsy." ~Raquel M. Carter

The wind blew as heartily as ever, and once again, I felt the need to leap without care. So I got on and popped over to my favourite spot for contemplation. I didn't linger in my first jaunt for some justification as I knew this was not where I belonged. I was being led somewhere else, but where I knew not.

I had tucked my hair using kirby grips and placed my shell hat pin quite properly, clutched my basket with moleskin diary and fountain pen in hand and dashed off in pursuit of my fate to my following spot. I have had the spiritual nudge to contact a dear ol’ aunt and gather stories about my lovely cousin who passed away many moons ago. I have had the title of a storybook (The Tale of Sybrena Ewe), coupled with a few scant ideas; however, that is all I've come to write on that particular manuscript. It's about a darling little ewe who has a flurry for cleaning and making her cherished cottage the heart of a great matter. As with all of my stories, there's a promise in each one of them to deliver the goods of a lovely spiritual significance for you, the dear reader. 

These kind of moments are undoubtedly infinite intelligence whispering through the pines into my bygone sea siren soul. I know these moments pine away at me for just cause. If I stay sat, I'll uncover the treasured gem, for I know one's ship comes in over a calm sea.

This is the place I found just a scant ways from my folks at Carter Cottage. This victorian barn is the setting/home on the farm for Sawyer lamb and Johnny Lamb before being sent off on their adventure by Mrs Trotters.  

The interesting feature is that I originally began my little trip to the woods to gain an idea for The Tale of Sybrena Ewe but was led to find the setting for The Tale of Sawyer Lamb. Isn't that beguiling?

I dashed home like a dose of salts and began sketching. You see, I have had the manuscript for (The Tale of Sawyer Lamb) written for quite some time; {when Sawyer passed, I immediately began writing and composed it within four hours}, but whenever I would attempt the illustrations, I felt dead in the water. Until most recently, the ideas continue to flood in. I feel as though my ship has indeed come in and my treasure trove of illustration luck are ever-present.

Most affably yours til my next swim, Raquelxxx