From earliest childhood, I’ve filled sleepless or lonely time with made up stories. First there was Bobolink, a small and adventurous pony, my constant companion. Then roller skating on Barrett Avenue became rescue missions of wounded soldiers. Later on, my dreams created a book store with over-stuffed chairs, a fireplace with constant cookies, tea and a devoted group of young and old who sat around telling stories, not unlike many of the book stores of modern days.

Like many grandmothers, I started trying to write some of these stories down for the first grandchildren, the beginning of a learning experience that has added joy and interest to both my reading and writing.

With great good luck, Richard Peck, a wise, funny author of almost yearly books for all ages, was my first work shop leader. Richard slashed my workshop manuscript to pieces with such skill that I’ve become one of his ardent million-person fan club. If you question that statement, read his A Long Way from Chicago and you’ll understand. One of Richard’s many admonitions. “Write what you don’t know.”

Thus my imaginary adventures became writing adventures. I recommend this journey to everyone. For Horse Dreams, I had the fun of being taught a bit of essential horse care information by our daughter, Lucy, and riding skills from watching her daughter, Anna, during riding lessons with her wise mother explaining the instructions. An emergency room nurse in my gym’s step class explained the necessary procedure for Ida McPherson’s medical rescue. On and on. Items that rose in night thoughts for Izzy and other characters needed research by day. That’s part of the fun of the writing journey.

Codes, the history of code breaking, Chinese in the United States, aspects of the Chinese language, breathing instructions for calming nerves, there’s hardly a chapter of Capitol Code that didn’t require research. Our family explored Washington for ten years while living there. Visiting the Smithsonian Museums, the United States Capitol, scrambling over the Billy Goat Trail, watching fireworks from the Lincoln Memorial were favorite destinations, but putting beloved places on paper called for closer study. And so it goes, discovery after discovery.

Day or night dreaming is one thing. Giving little stories flesh and direction on the printed page is another. When I signed up for a low residency program at Vermont College (now Vermont College of Fine Arts), I thought the writer’s phrase “point of view” meant having opinions. I had a lot to learn – meaning everything – about putting a story onto paper. And the learning never stops.

Jane Resh Thomas, one of the gifted faculty at Vermont College, puts it succinctly. “Butt in chair.” Writing requires writing, again and again, hour upon hour. Reading and talking about books with friends is part of the learning. Writing has made the pleasure of reading a deeper experience.

Surprising things happen when writing. Plot twists appear. Many of them have to be sliced away. Another of Richard Peck’s rules. “Cut one third of every page on your first edit.” Ouch. Yet it’s good action guide.

Advice for the young: start writing early. Earlier than I did. It will bring you adventures beyond your wildest dreams.