June 2023
Flower of the Month: Honeysuckle
Meaning happiness, affection for a new love, or nostalgia, this bloom is equally at home on the honeymoon or the golden anniversary. A true summer plant, it thrives in full sun and attracts butterflies and hummingbirds with its sweet fragrance. But it also needs a strong supporting structure to grow well, representing our need for others when the heat comes to scorch us. Like the honeysuckle, we can only thrive under pressure if we have a community to back us.
Reading
- Stargirl by Jerry Spinelli
- I’ve read this book many times, which is a testament to how good it is! Aside from its close-to-home setting in the Sonoran Desert, it packs a powerful message about being set apart in a world that strives for conformity. Spinelli’s writing is engaging and genuine, and the book’s scant pages fly by. Even if you don’t usually read fiction geared for younger readers, I highly recommend you give this one a try!
Research
Fantasy magic systems have been all over my search history this month. Though I’m an avid fantasy reader, there’s always more to learn–especially when it comes to crafting memorable worlds that stand out from the pack!
Updates
- Poppy & Myrrh is now open for business! Favorite my shop on Etsy to be notified when new items are added.
- Writer’s Workshop is the next big project in the works. If you know any writers in the Tucson/Phoenix area, this is for them! Details to follow upon the official launch.
- I’ve reached 10% of my funding goal for Lily’s Passage! That means the line editing will soon be underway, hooray! As always, thank you for the love and support that makes this dream possible. To support my writing, visit my Project Jumpstart page.
- If you shop online, I would love for you to check out my personal link on iGive.com. A percentage of each purchase goes towards a charitable cause of your choice, and if you select “Sydney Frusti, Author” as your cause, I receive a check that goes directly towards my writing! There are a couple ways to shop, so please feel free to email me with any questions.
Lore
Alderdale began in the wash behind my old neighborhood. The dry riverbed filled with desert flora and fauna was the terrain of many wanderings, from summertime excursions to after school treks to the nearby park. It was a far cry from the gray Michigan skies and earthy forests I had loved in childhood, and maybe that’s what drew me. It was different, and it was all mine. Because I was determined to maintain something, anything, of the life I’d left behind, I found myself exploring the new wilderness before me. It mirrored the wilderness in my own life as I navigated uprooting and transplanting.
At first, it was only a name. Then, places took on life as I became familiar with them–Quail’s Court, the portal path, others that have been lost to memory. And when the stories started to emerge, I realized this place had begun to take root inside me.
Much of the original world has been changed as my stories demanded something bigger. Mountains rose up to house many mysteries. Rivers wound through desert terrain to bring life to those who dwell on the banks. The earth itself held secrets yet to be uncovered. But Alderdale’s heart remains the same–a place of self-discovery, exploration, and beauty where all who enter have a chance to come face to face with their Maker.
Though it’s an imaginary world, it has become more real to me as of late. Writing a novel is an immersive process, and I’ve had the chance to visit some uncharted territory through the eyes of my characters.
I do hope, when the time comes, that you’ll take the journey with me.
As the wind blows,
Sydney Frusti
