I Didn’t Do It

My toy bumble bee is broken. I don’t know how it happened, but one thing I know for sure is – I didn’t do it. Mom said, “What’s this?” and “Did you rip your new toy?” and “Why are you naughty?” and I said (inside my head), “My bumble bee’s leg.” and “I don’t think so.” and “I don’t really know what naughty means.” (I do of course, but I can’t help it.)

When Mom goes to her writing group named DavidLaurieandOtherDavid, they always ask her questions like, “Whose story are you telling?” and “What is this character thinking?” and “Is this enough conflict?” and Mom says, “I’m not sure.” and “I don’t know.” and “I don’t really know what conflict means.” (She does, of course, but she doesn’t like it.)

The problem is – once she starts writing a story, the characters take over and start doing things and saying things and thinking things that Mom can’t control. So when one of her characters does something odd or boring or out of sequence or simplistic, Mom says, “I didn’t do it.” And she’s telling the truth! The problem is – she is the one who has to fix it.

I wonder if she can fix my bumblebee…..