Friend and fellow author Valerie Biel runs a fun series on her blog called Strange But True, in which she asks authors to share the ways their research has taught them something new, encouraged a new hobby, or inspired them to travel.

I wrote how my need for a character to have a quiet, introspective moment led to her pulling out of her pocket a spinning top. As the words escaped my fingertips and became type, I was surprised by the triggered memory. I loved loved loved spinning tops as a kid. The toy’s hypnotic spin was the perfect way to slow this character down, if only for a moment.

To celebrate the completion of the final manuscript, I bought a spinning top, the first I’ve ever bought, I think. It’s the red, white, and black one in the photo above. It turns pink and purple when spinning, which is just wild. That flat blue one sitting next to it is from my childhood and earliest memories. Now, as an ode to the simple joys in life, I think I’ll start a small but meaningful spinners collection. Feel free to send tops my way. 🙂

If you’d like see the bigger top in action (and the amazement of my cat Deco), watch the video HERE,

Enjoy!