Things Unsaid: A Novel (35 page)

She had shown some of her earlier charcoal drawings to her students, and the kids had loved them. They’d made them laugh—especially the black-and-white sketches of kids getting dressed and undressed in their pajamas. Drawings of their bare bottoms and genitals. Like little Mickey in
In the Night Kitchen
. But maybe she would play with watercolors for the final version. The compositions needed to feel more organic, flow easily, not be bound by the lines. They should be spontaneous and unexpected. The colors should come to life and then dissolve, float away into pools of beautiful pastels, shimmering prisms of light.

Mommy’s Little Helper
would soon be in its final rewrite, she promised herself—imposing her own deadline. The publisher she had spoken to had admired her initial sketches and hoped to create a toy line based upon the story. Mommy-daughter dolls dressed alike, holding hands. Computerized games based on the story that could be played on mobile devices, or maybe a chip embedded inside the dolls that would allow them to talk, quote from the story. They wanted to do a publicity blitz next year in time for Christmas.

She should call Mike to invite him over for a drink, to toast to her book. Joke about movie rights for
Mommy’s Little Helper
. Who knew—maybe it would actually happen. An animated movie from Pixar about a little girl who wanted to help her mommy and felt joy in being a child. Bouncing, bouncing down the stairs, riding a roller coaster to the clouds. The mother blissed out by the sound of her daughter’s laughter.

Break time
, she thought. She set aside her colored pencils and charcoal crayons and looked at the ten pages of illustrations she had outlined. A good beginning for a storyboard. Her story would avoid the troublesome letters that dyslexic children struggled with most, like
b
and
d. S
and
z
were troublesome letters, too. But exciting ones. Letters that move.

M
any people helped make this novel a reality. The tenacity required to be a writer can only be sustained through the generous support and encouragement offered by many others who wish to see a story told. My deepest gratitude extends to all who expressed an interest in
Things Unsaid
.

I would like to express my appreciation to authors who offered their guidance and expertise with humor, efficiency, and insightfulness: Caroline Leavitt, Phyllis Theroux, and Nora Cavin.

Thank you to my first readers who critiqued my work and urged me to keep on writing: Maryann Bartram, Susie Berteaux, Evelyn Klein, Tobi Ludwig, Sunny Scott, David Spiselman, and Patty Thompson.

My publisher, She Writes Press, particularly Brooke Warner, Caitlyn Levin, Krissa Lagos, and Paula Brisco guided me every step of the way to make this novel the best it could be. And a special thanks to Matilda Butler for recommending She Writes Press in the first place!

Most of all, thanks to my family, whose faith in me and my love of storytelling has not only made my writing blissful but also has made my life an adventure with them.

D
iana Y. Paul was born in Akron, Ohio and is a graduate of Northwestern University, with a degree in both psychology and philosophy, and of the University of Wisconsin–Madison, with a PhD in Buddhist studies. She is the author of three books on Buddhism, one of which has been translated into Japanese and German (
Women in Buddhism
, University of California Press), and her short stories have appeared in a number of literary journals. She lives in Carmel, CA with her husband and two cats, Neko and Mao. Visit her website at
dianaypaul.com
to learn more.

She Writes Press is an independent publishing company founded to serve women writers everywhere.
Visit us at
www.shewritespress.com
.

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