One of the privileges of my work as a developmental editor and writing coach is to accompany writers through the journey from idea to finished book. Sue Lamoree is one of those writers. Over the our time together, I watched her transform The Invisible Thread from an early manuscript into an award-winning middle-grade novel that has touched readers facing disability, loss, and major life changes.
Sue is no stranger to disabilities. “It’s about me, but it’s not me,” she says. “It’s about a young boy who found his life suddenly turned upside down because he ended up in a wheelchair.”
This isn’t just a book about a child being in a wheelchair and having a hard time—though he does have a hard time. But there’s magic in this book: A strange girl who falls from above and who adults cannot see, another “outsider girl,” strong and confident, who seeks out Marvin’s friendship when his former best friend becomes his bully. And a special grove of trees destined for the bulldozers—unless this unlikely trio can stop it.
After the book was published, Sue submitted to several indie book contests and began getting some extremely positive feedback—including several awards.
The award that excited her most was from Writers Digest, where she entered in the general fiction category, competing against hundreds of other writers of all genres. “The review was absolutely glowing,” she says.
In the above interview, we talk about the book, Sue’s writing life, and how working with a developmental editor made this experience different from the writing of her previous novel.
You can find Sue at http://suelamoree.com
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