A couple of months and a half dozen or so inspectors later, the stamp of approval was given to the changes that the workmen had wrought. It was nice to have a secure porch that wrapped completely around the exterior of my first floor. During renovations my porch had been completely torn down thus relegating my owners to spending their evenings indoors or sitting on chairs in the front yard.
While all of this was happening my spirit friend Lillianoah stayed away. Most nights, though, I sensed that she was hovering over by the honeysuckle plant, keeping her distance from me and my owners. I kind of missed having her lively movements inside me. She really was a good listener and could tell quite the story herself. We had been friends for such a long time that I was anxious to hear her opinion of my makeover.
At last the curiosity of seeing the new me was more than she could stand and my spirit friend returned one evening. All of my occupants had been asleep for quite a while when she drifted in, or attempted to anyway, through one of my attic windows.
“Ouch!” she whispered unkindly. “What happened to your windows? I had difficulty getting through that one.”
“Must be the new ones that I’ve been given,” I answered in an attempt to show off one of my improvements. “These windows are supposed to keep out the cold in the winter and the heat in the summer. Thermal, I think I remember that architect called them.”
“Well, I don’t like them. They make it difficult to float in and out up here. I must have easier access. I’m not getting any younger, you know.” She looked around for a place to rest and spied an old trunk that had been moved off to a corner.
“Good to see you too, Lillianoah,” I replied.
“I didn’t want to disturb your owners too soon,” she informed me as she flitted about, “but I think it’s time I made my first visit downstairs and introduce myself to Merline.”
“Ah, I wondered when you might get started.”
“I’ll need you to be very quiet for a while. No creaks, or groans, or any strange noises. I have to concentrate on exactly what I want the young woman to know,” the spirit admonished.
“I don’t creak anymore, Lillianoah. All my floors have been relined with new wood and they are very solid.” I was a bit put out by her insinuation that I might be run-down or decrepit still.
“Where’s my staircase?” Her hissed words flew through the air from the area of the old stairwell.
“It’s been moved. Look over to my north side.”
I watched as Lillianoah wafted over to the new staircase before zipping down it. I could only hope that Merline and my spirit friend would get along.
On my first floor Lillianoah hovered near the brass bed where Merline peacefully slept. For a while the wispy spirit merely watched the even rhythm of the young woman’s breathing. It had been a long time since she had attempted to enter a living person’s dreams. She sent up a prayer to the Great Spirit of her people and suddenly…
Marion, I am fascinated by your ingenius idea of having the story told in the first person with the old houses being the narrators. Your books are something out of the ordinary and I already know I want to read them. Just from what you've posted I can tell that your (the House's) descriptions will create a picture in the minds of readers. From which book will I find the house that is speaking in your post?
Such a unique point of view, how did you decide on it?
Platform5: the excerpt is from Honeysuckle Hill, my second book. I'm glad you like what you've read. My books are available through Amazon.com.
If you go to my website: www.marionmarchetto.com you can click through and read more about my books.
IsobelFontaine: Actually I didn't think to much about the point of view. It sort of just happened.
Since my first book, 201 Atwater, was inspired by my in-laws' old house and I spent many hours pondering who lived there before and what happened, it was a cinch to tell the story from the house's perspective.
Marion, I just have to come back and reply again. I have been thinking about your "houses" and their stories so much this evening. On the cover of your 201 Atwater book, the house actually appears to be haunted. I can't wait to read both of the books.
Platform5:
I'm happy to know that my books are calling to you. When you get them, please PM me and I'll be happy to send you signed bookplates for them. I would also love to hear any feedback you might have - positive or negative.
Cheers!
Marion
R.W., How did you do the publishing on your books? I have a million questions, but I'll start with that one.
R.W.
Both of my books were published through self-publishing houses. For 201 Atwater I used iUniverse - they were very helpful in guiding a novice through the uncharted waters. I enjoyed working with them because I was able to work through one point of contact who then directed my questions, etc.
For Honeysuckle Hill I used Xlibris and was very disappointed because their staff seemed out of sync with each other. Also I was unhappy with their pricing of my book. I would have liked a lower price point.
In each case it cost between $1200 to $1800 to have my work published. If you are looking at that route, explore each of the self-publishing websites carefully and compare, compare, compare. Then make a decision about what package is right for you. Holding a manuscript for submission until your chosen self-publisher offers a special (mostly around the spring or late autumn) will also provide you with a few extras you won't have to pay for.
I sure hope this helps. Now, what were your other questions?
Marion
