MY NEXT GREAT NOVEL ADVENTURE

MY NEXT GREAT NOVEL ADVENTURE
Wednesday, July 9, 2025 by LINDA WOOD RONDEAU

Categories: ADVENTURES / MUSINGS

As a mom and a veteran social worker, I am no stranger to bedlam and confusion. After writing my non-fiction book, I Prayed for Patience God Gave Me Children, I wanted to write a novel about a harried mom, similar to one of my favorite Doris Day movies, Please Don’t Eat the Daisies, based on the book by Jean Kerr. The movie also stars David Niven as a drama critic who moves his family into the country.

I wanted to write a story about the struggle of parenting amid a life crisis.

I originally wanted to title my book, I Prayed for Patience, God Gave me Children/The Novel. This didn’t go over with the publisher. After another year at the drawing board, I realized the world did not need another madcap comedy. But humor has always been part of every book I write, including my Speculative book, The Fifteenth Article, a futuristic political thriller.

I thought about long-term marriage … the struggles and pitfalls. What if a dedicated mom of five became tired of her life? What might make her want to change?

I wrote that book, Second Helpings.

But I’m wondering if there might be more I could write about life after sixty.

Maybe I should write a romance about two octogenarians who find love? Maybe call it Love in the Slow Lane?

I’d often thought about writing a book called The Romeo Caper. Five octogenarians embark on robbing a bank, just for the thrill of it. Of course, no one is supposed to get hurt. But best laid plans of mice and seniors often go awry.

What do you think? What would make a good story about life in the sunset years? Cocoon’s already been done.