Diary Page
October 2011
Bring on the champagne and party poppers - I have finally finished rewriting Amelie's Secret! I wrote an early version some time ago, but I knew it could be better. The essential story hasn't changed, but I've spent a lot of time deciding whose voices should tell it. Characters have come and gone, voices have changed from 1st person to 3rd and back again. Some of you have been involved, cheering me on with lovely comments and enthusiasm for the story, in school workshops or on the web. Thank you so much! Finally, I'm happy with it. I hope a publisher will be happy too - watch this space. Meanwhile, here's an idea of what the story is about.
Amelie's Secret
In this village, we do not speak your name. Never try to contact me again...
If you knew something that could destroy a member of your family, would you reveal it? Amelie is dying, and the circumstances of her escape from Nazi-occupied France, with her baby daughter, Elizabeth, have come back to haunt her. She believes the cancer that is killing her is a punishment for the sins of the past. Amelie, who is slipping in and out of delirium, appeals to her granddaughter Cat - Elizabeth's daughter - to go to France on her behalf and 'put things right'. She gives Cat the journal she kept as a seventeen-year-old, which she says will explain everything.
Cat travels with her father to Amelie's village. They hope to bring back something that will allow Amelie to die in peace. What they find out will rock the foundations of their family life, as they struggle to come to terms with Amelie's terrifying ordeal - and the choices she made. But can they ever reveal the truth to Elizabeth?
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This month's pic features three hats, with authors attached. The other two are good friends Linda Newbery and Cindy Jefferies, enjoying an unexpectedly hot day in my garden. Google Linda and Cindy to find out about their books, which I love.
Hope to welcome you back to a new, improved web site soon!
Yvonne