Truth or Hair by Suzanne Selfors

Author:Suzanne Selfors [Selfors, Suzanne]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Little, Brown Books for Young Readers
Published: 2016-05-03T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter 9

Some Nimble Advice

It wasn’t unusual for the headmaster to wear a stern expression. His job was to maintain order, so he constantly supervised the students and their activities. He was also charged with overseeing the day-to-day details of the school. It was a workload that would make anyone cranky.

“Ms. O’Hair,” he repeated.

Holly rose from her chair. “Yes, Headmaster?”

Due to his impressive height, Headmaster Grimm had the tendency to look down the bridge of his nose when talking to students. “I wanted to commend you on taking your duties as student council secretary seriously.”

“Thank you.”

“However…” He unclasped his hands and raised an index finger in the air. “While I appreciate your writing abilities, it is not necessary to be so creative when you take notes.”

“Oh?” She sighed. Was that why she hadn’t heard from her new literary agent? Did the publishers think she was too creative?

“Rather than embellishing, just stick to the facts,” he advised. “That will save time and parchment.”

“Okay, I understand.” She nodded, but she didn’t really understand. Why not make boring notes more interesting? If anyone had to go back and read the minutes from the student council, why not tell a riveting tale?

“One other thing, Ms. O’Hair.” He stroked his mustache. “It has come to my attention that you’ve been writing a blog called…” He paused.

“Fairytale Fangirl,” she reminded him.

“Precisely. I recently fielded a complaint about a particular story.”

“Someone officially complained?” Holly winced. “I’m sorry about that, but a writer can’t please everyone,” she said. “There are always critics.”

“This particular student was not a mere reader being critical, Ms. O’Hair. The story was about her family, and it deeply offended her.”

Holly gulped. Duchess Swan, of course.

“In order to investigate, I visited your blog and read a few of the stories: the one about Snow White and the skiing dwarves, and the one about the mouse princess. Snow White does not ski in her story, Ms. O’Hair. And the princess turns into a graceful swan, not a furry rodent.” He made a tsk-tsk sound. “Why do you feel the need to change what has already been written?”

“Why?” The answer seemed obvious to Holly. “To make them more entertaining, of course. I’m not changing the destinies, Headmaster Grimm, or the heart of the stories. Just the circumstances. I’m just using a little creative license.” She smiled hopefully at the headmaster, but his expression remained stern.

“The point I am making is that, while fairytales do change from generation to generation, there is no need for you to change them. Each fairytale character must be responsible for making his or her own changes.” He smoothed his waistcoat. Then he gave her a long look, the kind a parent gives after catching their child being naughty. “I suggest that you terminate your blog.”

“Terminate?” It felt like one of Hagatha’s lumps had caught in her throat. “But I love my blog.”

“Then stick to your own story, Ms. O’Hair. That is a better use of your talent.” And off he strode.

“Hold on,” she wanted to call out.

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