What Lilly has to say..... a sneak preview.

Attitude.... we all have one. Some days it is a good look at things, and then there are those days when ...well we just don't look at the bright side of anything.

• Writers have the joy of imagining all kinds of characters with all kinds of attitudes. Characters can even take on a life of there own where the writer really has no control over what attitude may play out in a storyline, and that is exciting. That is when the characters come to life and reach into the heart of the author to take up residence for a time.

My character in my children's book has a childhood form of cancer. Real kids get cancer, so why not a character in a book?

And my character has attitude, as a matter of fact here is a snippet of what Lilly Isabella Lane has to say about having cancer. See if you can feel it, and let me know if she seems real to you, because in my heart she is as real as summer sunshine. She represents every child I have cared for that looks at the bright side of life....and she is in my heart to stay for a while. Gotta love that.

From The ABC's of Cancer According to Lilly Isabella Lane

I have a childhood form of cancer called ALL or Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. Some kids might say it stinks. This is what I have to say about it in my own words.

A is for Attitude. It is all about attitude, a spunky, silly, stubborn attitude, which my parents say I have. They also say that is a good thing if you have cancer, to have a spunky attitude. I'm not sure my teacher agrees, at least not during Math but Spunky is my new middle name.

Check back again to see what else Lilly has to say about having cancer. She is sure to surprise you.

P.s The picture is of my second writing partner who gives me insight into what 3 year old boys do and the true meaning of attitude. Love you E.