#9–My father would take us crappie fishing at night, which was as much about the snacks to me as the fishing. We’d ride out to the middle of the lake, wind whipping hair and jackets, and there was always something ecstatic about that rush of wind. When we’d stop and drop our lines, we could take out the wrapped packages of, and I’d usually sit on the bottom of the boat, eating, watching my pole and the stars and the blinking lights on the Bass Tracker. Catching a fish was nice, but I was happy either way.

Childhood Memory #8

Another batch of memories in preparation for FAMILY LAW, which is set in the world of my own childhood. My grandmother turned 105 this week, and so these are all her. She’s at the center of many of my warmest, best memories.

My upcoming novel, Family Law, is set in the time and place of my own childhood—the ’70s and ’80s in Montgomery, Al. I haven’t written a distinctly Southern novel since my first book, The Well and the Mine, came out in 2008. As I get ready for this book’s release, I wanted to spend some time very consciously thinking about the South. I’ve been thinking, especially, about my own childhood. I’ve jotted down around a hundred memories—some of them quick flashes and some of them more fully unspooled.

Of all the things I love about October, the costumes at our Halloween party might top the list. This year’s theme was THREE, and we had some logistical issues. Ten minutes before the party started, I realized the two heads I planned to attach to my son’s Three Musketeer costume–so he would be all three musketeers–were too heavy. Sometimes even duct tape and splints cannot work magic. So he was a singular Musketeer, and now we have some extra heads around the house.

Fanta of the Opera

Paperbacks everywhere…a different cover in Canada, the U.K., and the US!

Sometimes I think I’m wasted as a novelist: I could maybe do theme meals full-time. For small children. It’s sort of a niche market. But below is our dinner before going to see The Wizard of Oz at our local theater. We’ve got Tin Manwiches, Emerald veggies, potato tornados, Over the Rainbow Sherbet, Toto-Toast with Jelly, and Munchkins from Dunkin’ Donuts. (My son came up with those last two. I am training him well in the art of amusing food.)

I find that when I’m trying to finish up a manuscript–more on that later–blogging and social media in general seem to fall by the wayside. (Also on the fall-by-the-wayside list: Haircuts, dentist appointments, lunch dates with friends, all forms of house maintenance, including lightbulb replacement.) Well, I’ve finished up a draft and sent it off to my editor…so here I am.