Harriet The Spy. That’s who I’m thinking about this week.

It’s because I credit Harriet, the petulant lead character in a 1964 book by Louise Fitzhugh, with fueling my desire to become a novelist. If you haven’t read it, you must. But the reason I felt like Harriet this week is because she, an 11-year-old, budding writer in the book, created a pre-SIMs game called Town, which she played in the roots and grass of her backyard. In this game, she used her imagination to describe the simultaneous activity occurring all over a fictitious town, giving life to multiple characters with their individual motivations, weaving a storyline.

That’s exactly what I did this week. I had already written nearly 8000 words in my mystery series when I had to stop to put my town together. This series will deliver a trio of complete mysteries, including an overarching mystery that will be solved in the final book. I have never tackled anything this ambitious.

It may seem a little backward, to write so much and then go back to build the world about which I’m writing. You see, I had planned, and I had outlined. But, I knew I needed to do more. I just didn’t have enough yet. But as I stared at my chapter outline, my mind got stuck like that little spinning throbber thing on your laptop: “Not Responding.”

I was having trouble seeing it all come together, and I realized there was only one way out of my mental quagmire: Start writing.

Even though it was a bit premature, I took a look at my sketchy chapter outline and dug in. That’s when the magic happened. The plot details and character personalities started to appear. Even though I knew I might end up tossing it all out in future drafts, those 8000 words helped me now know enough about my story to go back to flesh-out the characters and plot details, Harriet-The-Spy style, in my town.

I don’t know how this works, exactly, but is as though the writing actually creates itself as it goes. It’s exhilarating and mystical and one of my favorite parts of fiction writing.

When this is all sewn together, I bet you’ll find a sense of exhilaration as a reader, as well! And while you’re waiting, go pick up a copy of Harriett the Spy for that special, creative kid in your life. I’m guessing that her power of influence is still strong.

What children’s book made an impression on you? I’d love to know.  a.h.gilbert@outlook.com