New Stories, free for your littles!

Ideas have been flowing here in the writing studio! I began writing a new story because one was just buzzing around in my brain, and it was driving me crazy. I halted on the edits I was already working through on other books, and now I have the first draft complete. I am so glad I listened to my brain. The fun thing with this story is that I have written two versions. One is a short story ~ free to read over on this page, and then there is the full version, which I am still editing.

Let me give you a summary of the short story version, then I'll do one of the full versions. Let me know what you think of them both.

The Lake That Listened - A Magical Adventure

When eleven-year-old Finn finds himself stuck at his great-aunt's cottage, feeling grumpy about everything going wrong in his life, the last thing he expects is to discover a talking lake with a very unusual problem.

Meet Whisper, a 300-year-old lake spirit with a weedy beard and endless patience for listening to troubles. But today, Whisper needs Finn's help with a rather dramatic dragon named Ember, who's been crying for two days straight - all because she breathes sparkles instead of fire.

What starts as a rescue mission to a small island becomes an adventure that changes everything. Ember, a purple dragon about the size of a golden retriever, believes she's the most useless dragon ever. But when a group of hikers falls into the lake's deepest waters, it's Ember's "useless" sparkles that light the way to safety, proving that being different isn't a weakness - it's a superpower.

This heartwarming tale blends gentle magic with real emotions, showing young readers that sometimes our greatest strengths come from the very things that make us feel different. With humour, friendship, and just the right touch of magical wonder, "The Lake That Listens" reminds us that the best adventures happen when we're brave enough to help others find their own magic.

And here's the summary of the full story.

The Lake That Listened - Full Manuscript Summary

The Story Begins:

Twelve-year-old Sam Rodriguez's world turns upside down when his parents' divorce forces him and his mum to leave their bustling city life for the tiny village of Willowbrook. Feeling angry, lost, and completely alone, Sam discovers their new cottage overlooks the mysterious Mirror Lake - a perfectly round, crystal-clear lake that local folklore claims has been listening to people's troubles for centuries.

The Magic Awakens:

When Sam whispers his deepest wish to the lake - that his dad hadn't left - something extraordinary happens. The water shimmers, and in its reflection, he sees his father as he used to be: happy, loving, and present. This begins Sam's journey of discovery as he learns that Mirror Lake doesn't just listen - it shows people what they need to see, not always what they want to see.

New Friendships and Understanding Sam meets Charlie, a local boy whose own parents divorced the year before. Charlie becomes both friend and guide, sharing how the lake helped him understand that sometimes people can love each other but can't live together. Through Charlie's story, Sam begins to see that his parents' divorce wasn't his fault and that healing is possible.

The Lake's Lessons Over several weeks, Sam visits the lake daily, sometimes alone, sometimes with Charlie.

Each visit teaches him something new:

• How to find courage for starting at a new school

• That friendship doesn't end because of distance

• Small ways he can help his overwhelmed mum

• Most importantly, that his dad's absence isn't about not caring - it's about not knowing how to care without making things worse

  
  

The Turning Point:

During a particularly difficult evening after a disappointing video call with his dad, the lake shows Sam the most important vision yet: his father sitting alone, holding Sam's photo, wanting to call but not knowing what to say. The lake reveals that sometimes, if you want something to change, you have to be brave enough to take the first step.

Taking Action:

Inspired by what he's seen, Sam makes the terrifying decision to call his dad first. This simple act of courage transforms their relationship. Instead of waiting for his dad to reach out, Sam shares his new life - his friend Charlie, the peaceful lake, his new school. The conversation opens the door to regular communication and his dad's promise to visit.

Healing and Growth:

Dad's visit to Willowbrook becomes a turning point for their relationship. As they sit by the lake together, Sam's dad commits to being more present and consistent. The story shows that while the divorce was between his parents, Sam will always be his father's son.

The Real Magic:

In the final chapters, Sam realises the lake's true magic isn't in granting wishes - it's in helping people find the courage to take action themselves. The lake listens, reflects, and guides, but the real change comes from within. Sam learns that some places have the power to help us see things more clearly, and whether that's magic or simply the peace that comes from somewhere beautiful doesn't matter - as long as it helps.

Themes Woven Throughout:

• Divorce and Family Change: An Honest portrayal of how divorce affects children

• Courage and Taking Initiative: Learning that sometimes you have to make the first move

• Friendship and Belonging: Finding your place in a new community

• Self-Discovery: Understanding that healing comes from within

• The Power of Listening: Both being heard and truly hearing others

  
  

The Ending:

The story concludes with Sam fully settled in Willowbrook, maintaining a strong relationship with both parents, and understanding that while his family looks different now, love remains constant. The lake continues to be his thinking place, but now he knows its greatest gift was teaching him to listen to others and to himself.

This expanded version really develops the emotional depth and character growth that makes middle-grade fiction so powerful. It takes the magical premise and grounds it in real, relatable struggles that kids face every day.

Meet Sam & Charlie!

So there you have it! I also have a few more short stories coming, again, free of charge. However, all writings are my own and may not be copied, altered, sold, repurposed or used in any other way without my written consent.

Let me know if you read The Lake that Listened and what you thought of it.

Debs