It’s amazingly gratifying when editors and publishers consider one’s work worthy of “Best Of” status, and I’m quite proud of The Wings Which Tire, They Have Upheld Me for many reasons:
- The haunted house I mention existed (never learned if it was haunted) about half a mile from where I grew up.
- I knew Lenny in grade school. He was a gifted scholar who didn’t fit in because of family issues, parental and societal neglect, and what we now recognize as “learning difficulties.” (I so wish people were more aware…hell, even partially aware…of such challenges when I was a child).
- Most people know I was legally blind most of my life (which means “needed glasses so thick if he didn’t have them he needed a dog and a cane”), and yes, much of the main character’s experiences are based on my own.
- Lenny and I were voracious readers of books and on topics of which our teachers were unaware.
- Kevin also existed and tormented me through most of my grade school years. The “I can’t SEE” chant is directly his.
- My childhood safety existed in my imagination, and not knowing what I was suppose to see and not see, I envisioned the most amazing things (still do!).
Enjoy!
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