As a change of pace, we thought we’d share a little anecdote, a true story that continues to make us laugh…
While writing one of the scenes in LOVE DECANTED, a scene involving Peter, one of the main characters, and his sons, Anthony and Alex, we contemplated what an angry 8-old-boy might say or do. We both have direct experience with this; one as a formerly angry 8-year-old and the other as the older sister of an angry 8-year-old boy.
We’ve also been around enough kids to have a general idea of what this could look like in practice. Trying to capture the actual words and behaviour in an authentic, convincing manner, however, proved a little more challenging than anticipated.
As we brainstormed ideas, none of which felt compelling enough to include in our book, we decided to call one of our non-feline muses, who always seems to come through in a pinch. She also raised at least one 8-year-old brat, so we felt she was more than qualified to chime in on the topic.
The conversation went something like this:
“Mom, how are you?”
“Pretty good. What’s up?”
“We’re working on our book, and we wanted to pick your brain about what an angry eight-year-old boy might say.”
Without hesitation, she said, “Hold on.”
As the phone went silent, we looked at each other, confused. Maybe she hadn’t heard us correctly. Or, maybe her phone had died again, which wouldn’t be the first time, but that’s a whole other story.
A couple of minutes later, mom came back on the line. “Are you ready?”
“Um, sure.”
“I have something you wrote when you were eight.”
“Something I wrote?”
“Yeah. It’s a letter to one of your friends, Scott.”
A couple eyebrows raised.
“Nuber 1…”
“Did you mean number one?”
“No, nuber 1. That’s what you wrote… F..k off Scott you are a aseol dumy.”
A couple of jaws dropped as some chuckling emerged.
“I hate your guts you shitball.”
Laughter ensued. “Did I really write that?”
“I have the proof. I also have a drawing that goes with the note. Wait. I’ll take a picture of it and send it to you. Hold on…”
Soon enough, an email showed up with an attachment—the same picture included above.
After another wave of laughter, a light-hearted silence filled the room. “Where did that letter come from?”
“I came across it the other day when I was going through a few things. I also found a story you wrote about a three-headed monster that spoke in ‘tongs.’ I think you meant tongues. Anyhow, I’m not sure how I wound up with the letter, but I think Scott’s mother might have returned it. What’s funny is you wrote his postal code on the envelope, but not his street number, although you had the street name… Now, is there anything else you want to know?”
“No, I think we’re good. But we might call you again when we get to the next scene.”
“You can call me anytime. I have to say I’m glad your spelling improved… Good luck.”
So, there you have it. That’s the story behind the angry 8-year-old. Clearly, the real child—not the one we created in our book—had some, how can we say, unresolved anger toward his friend. The genesis of the letter, however, remains a mystery.