By Molly McGowan
Imagine the excitement of a beginning writer finding out her work is being published in the quintessential children’s magazine, Highlights for Children. Now picture her realization that her track record for publication is already better than most authors, since the story appearing in Highlights was the first one she ever submitted.
Lutz author Susan Banghart is already off to a promising start, as one of three 2010 Highlights for Children’s annual fiction contest winners.
Banghart’s short story, “The Fog Lifts,” is based on a family tale and focuses on a young girl who moves with her family from the city to Florida’s countryside and struggles to adjust to rural living.
The young protagonist’s daily obstacle is steering herself and her younger brother through a maze of cows to get to the school bus stop. In the story, the girl bravely pushes through her fear of the cows, but in reality, Banghart said it was her brother who was the bravest one.
Banghart said that when she was about 12, she and her family moved from St. Petersburg to her grandfather’s old Florida farmhouse in Bushnell. His “cracker house,” as Banghart called it, “butted up against a huge cattle ranch” through which she and her younger brother had to navigate.
“It was intimidating walking through those cows every morning,” Banghart said of the large Brahma cattle. “We walked through them as quietly as we could. And sometimes they’d be there in the afternoon, too.”
A relatively new author, Banghart feels very fortunate to have achieved success after only two and a half years of writing. With a bachelor’s degree in studio art from the University of South Florida, she originally focused her creative energy on artwork and did portrait work for 15 years, but when Banghart and her husband adopted two rescue dogs, their rambunctious nature made it difficult for her to continue painting.
Banghart said that she still had ideas and stories tumbling around in her head and said, “Out of frustration I just put them down.”
From there, she began writing stories set in Florida and gained inspiration from other local authors. Banghart has lived in Lutz off and on since 1996 and said, “I’m a fourth-generation Floridian. I’m really partial to Florida writers, Southern tradition … and the way Southern authors draw you in.”
Banghart’s pride for her state is reflected in what she writes, and hopes that her readers – including the children who will read her winning story – will be inspired to learn more about Florida.
“Aside from the message of ‘we all have fears to conquer and we have those times when we feel like we don’t fit in,’” Banghart said she hopes young readers will be encouraged to learn more about their own states and their histories.
In addition to having her story published, Banghart had the choice between a prize of $1,000 or tuition to the Highlights Foundation Writers Workshop. According to Highlights Fiction Editor Joelle Dujardin, the weeklong conferences in Chautauqua, N.Y. draws people from all across the United States, and even a few from out of the country.
Banghart said she chose the prize money because the timing of the workshop just didn’t work out for her this year, though she will attend the retreat eventually. “I’ve heard so many good things [about it],” she said.
Due to planning issues far in advance, “The Fog Lifts” will remain in Highlights’ story inventory and, according to Dujardin, would be published in 2011 at the earliest.
Meanwhile, Banghart has a book for young adults in its final revision stage and is preparing to submit it to agents. The book is about a 15-year-old girl who lives in a world of her own imagination and who becomes immersed in the lives of a recluse and his Irish Wolfhounds. Banghart said that being a new writer can be daunting in today’s world.
“It’s very scary, especially now that there are publishing houses closing right and left,” Banghart said. “But I can’t imagine doing anything else.”
For more on Susan Banghart’s writing, artwork and photography, visit her website at www.susanbanghart.com.
Excerpt from “The Fog Lifts”
Sarah scanned the fog-shrouded pasture.
“Are they out there?” Ethan’s voice shook.
“I can’t see anything in this fog,” Sarah grumbled. The rusty hinges on the wire gate creaked as she stepped from the safety of their yard. She strained her ears, but the fog muffled sound. Sarah and her little brother crept through the grass to the dirt road fifty feet ahead.
Suddenly a huge gray shape lumbered out of the mist.
