Author shares stories

Mystery author's love of gardening is evident in her clever titles

By Beth Jones

NT Correspondent

newstimes@insightbb.com

Most children grew up with the tale of Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton Tail, and Peter. The story about the rabbits who couldn't resist the goodies in Mr. McGregor's garden.

The author of this beloved children's story is Beatrix Potter, an English woman who initially wrote "Peter" in the early 1900's as a letter to cheer a friend. Author Susan Wittig Albert shared stories about Potter and the Peter Rabbit series as the special guest speaker at a proper English Tea held in late October at Carolee's Herb Farm.

As guests enjoyed carrot herb sandwiches, chamomile tea bread, English tea, and lavender punch, Wittig Albert shared information about the life of Potter, whose turn of the century accomplishments in children's literature rival only the current success of the Harry Potter series.

Wittig Albert, an accomplished author who has penned the popular China Bayles mysteries, as well as written with her husband, Bill, under the pseudonym Robin Page, has included Beatrix Potter as a character in a mystery story, aptly titled "The Tale of Hilltop Farm". The book was published in June, 2004.

A researcher at heart, Wittig Albert has spent a great deal of time studying Beatrix Potter's life and shared interesting facts about her life.

For example, Potter submitted Peter Rabbit to 16 different publishing houses, only to be rejected 16 different times.

"Undaunted, Beatrix decided to publish the book herself," Wittig Albert explained to the approximate 70 guests in attendance. "Potter sold her book to family and friends before going on to publish two books a year from 1901-1912."

Wittig Albert has her own interesting career stories to share. After spending years in academia, she chucked her career and at the age of 45, went back to her first love of writing stories. She wrote for both the Nancy Drew and Hardy Boys series and other young adult books using the opportunity as an apprenticeship to hone her skills.

Eventually, she was able to combine her love of plants, mysteries, and women changing careers.

She went on to explain that both she and Potter share a love of country life. Wittig Albert grew up in Illinois and currently resides in Austin, Texas, while Potter spent a great deal of time at her home away from home in the Lake District of England.

Wittig Albert's love of gardening is evident in the cleverly incorporated plant names in the titles of her mysteries such as "Thyme of Death", "Rosemary Remembered", and "Lavender Lies".

After the presentation, Wittig Albert took time to answer questions about her own writing, noting that she produces three books per year.

"Each of my books is different in tone, nature of concepts, and metaphoric constructs. I go for as much diversity as possible," the author explained.

Her unique stories have featured the likes of Winston Churchill, Rudyard Kipling, the Prince of Wales, and of course, Beatrix Potter.

The hostess of the event, Carolee Snyder, was pleased that Wittig Albert could visit her herb farm for the special presentation.

The event was just one of many Snyder has conducted in her 12 years on the popular Blackford County attraction.