July 04, 2018

Stories My Grandmother Told Me by Susan Barclay

I've been writing stories and songs ever since I can remember. My grandmother was an excellent storyteller and I recall publishing a "book" for my elementary school library somewhere in the grade 4-6 period. I titled it "Stories My Grandmother Told Me" and it was put together on laminated paper and bound with a yellow spiral. It included a pocket for the check-out card. Those were the days of low technology!

My book included stories about my grandmother's Newfoundland dog, Major, who rescued her on two occasions. Once when she was little, she fell into a brook and the dog hauled her out; another time she almost sat on a snake while blueberry picking and Major shook the snake until it died. Another story tells of the time the family's house caught fire and her grandmother threw furniture out of the upstairs window. Grandma lived a pretty thrilling life.

It was so exciting when students checked my book out of the library and told me how much they enjoyed it. Even better when they said they hoped I would write a sequel. I told my grandmother that I would write more about her life when I "grew up" and sadly, I still haven't done so.

No doubt just about to launch into another story :)

I recently lost all the revised files of my first novel. Yeah, I know - back up your back-ups. Thankfully, I found earlier versions and have been able to piece it back together with a gap here and an overlap there. A lot more work lies ahead in the revision process. Hopefully, like Hemingway's The Sun Also Rises (dare I mention them in the same breath?), it will be better for the loss.

In the meanwhile, maybe it's time for a break. Maybe I should work on my grandmother's story and keep my promise to her... What do you think, dear readers?




8 comments:

  1. I for one hope you get to rewriting it.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Tracy - so do my mom and aunt! ;)

      Delete
  2. What a lovely story, Susan. Sounds like a perfect time to pick up this promise and dust it off -- your grandmother's stories are worth preserving -- a precious heritage.

    I felt the jerk in my stomach about the loss of your novel and wish you all the best with piecing it back together. Why not let Hemingway's experience spur and encourage you in yours?! :)

    Brenda

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks for both encouragements, Brenda! I agree, Grandma's stories are worth preserving as a heritage for our family.

      Delete
  3. Susan, I thoroughly enjoyed hearing about your grandmother. Please do right about her! People love real-people stories. I've just finished the the last novel in a trilogy and want to do "short"! Pinterest has 50 questions (starts for interviews). I have spent time in nursing homes and would love to do little glimpses into these folks' lives. (Newspaper column?)
    Your upcoming version of the lost novel will be excellent...better even!
    Susan

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks, Susan! I appreciate your encouragement to write more about my grandmother's life. I agree - real-people stories are the best. That's the best part of any funeral if it's done well. It would be great if you could write about the lives of nursing home residents too. I'm sure it would really bless them and their families!

      Delete
  4. I feel I can't make this choice for you, Susan. I imagine you have prayed about this decision, but that you are not feeling any direct answer and that is why you are turning to us.

    Supposing that you left the decision up to your readers and we all spoke in favour of the one book over the other, which one would you be most disappointed in our not choosing. In other words, if you were to toss a coin, when the coin is in the air you would know which way you are leaning.

    This is just a bit of folksy wisdom, Susan, that is not to be taken too seriously.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. That's an excellent supposition, Sharon. I have to admit I'd be somewhat torn. I know my grandmother's stories are worth preserving for our family while I think my novel would be of greater interest to a wider audience. But maybe I can work on both simultaneously, switching from one to the other depending on how I feel on any given day... Appreciate your input!

      Delete

Thank you for taking the time to join in the conversation. Our writers appreciate receiving your feedback on posts you have found helpful or meaningful in some way.