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My favorite childhood memories are of Saturdays at the library picking out a new book for the week. I started out with Judy Bloom and soon moved to Stephen King.Eventually, my love of reading turned into a love of writing. I could immerse myself in words and create my own stories and worlds. It became a life long love, a form of escapism and discovery.
I finally have the opportunity to put more focus on my writing and return to those childhood memories, and add uncover new thoughts and ideas.
Temporal: In 1950s rural Puerto Rico, young María prepares for a massive storm, uncovering family memories of past hurricanes and personal loss. As the storm approaches, she finds resilience and a deeper connection to her heritage in this poignant tale of fear and hope.
Gigi, September 1, 1985 – August 15, 1988: Gigi is nearly 14, and a night out to see a movie takes an unexpected turn, forcing her to balance her craving for independence with the limits of her protective family. This short story blends humor, tension, and the nuances of friendship, offering a nostalgic look at growing up in 1980s Brooklyn.
Old Blog:
I came across my old "Blog Spot" page. I'd completely forgotten about that page. For some older reading from my trainer days you can check it out: Joanna M Bartell Blogspot - Trying to focus on one ring at a time. It's mainly very brief essays and thoughts from the days before social media took over.