| I truly love paper shops. Do you think that’s absurd, or can you relate? The idea of all those fresh, clean pages waiting to be filled the most personal of thoughts, some practical and some fanciful: lists of goals and wishes, notes to keep loved ones up-to-date, items to remember to buy or share, doodles made when you’re on the phone but want to keep your fingers occupied! I have lists and notes that need to be made at the same time every year – holiday gifts; topics I want to cover in the writing classes I teach; items to pack for vacations; descriptions of characters I’m developing for my books; and weekly reminders of what I want or need to accomplish.
Why am I talking about this now? It’s because this little paper shop I adore has inspired the setting for my next novel, due out in September of this year! In the story, it’s a place where people go to write to husbands, wives, parents, or children they are worried about; and according to the local lore, those people will be protected when someone writes a letter to them while sitting in the shop.
What is the origin of this lore – and how does it related to something unexpected found in the attic? You’ll have to wait until September to find out!
I’m so excited to write this story and so grateful for the little shop and it’s lovely writing items that got my imagination going. Tell me, do you love paper shops – or any other type of little specialty store? Why? Please let me know – I’d love to hear from you! |
