Strangely, given that I was a pretty imaginative kid in general, I never had any imaginary friends. For about a year, though, I did have an entire imaginary world.
I don’t remember exactly how it came about. Some time beforehand, I’d read and adored THE CHANGELING by Zilpha Keatley Snyder, in which the two main characters make up a fantastic world where they act out an intense and intricate storyline, simply for their own enjoyment. And in fifth grade I became close friends with a classmate who did have imaginary friends, and loved making stuff up just as much as I did. She also loved unicorns. (I was more of a dragon person, but willing to be flexible.)
Somehow that combination of factors resulted in the creation of Unicorn Valley.
Unicorn Valley (or U.V. as we usually referred to it, for simplicity’s sake and also to be mysterious when talking about it among others) was a world of myth and magic that conveniently existed on a parallel plane with our school yard. We entered it by jumping onto the storm drain in one corner of the yard and exited the same way. While there, we and our unicorn friends had great adventures and battled all sorts of fiendish creatures.
We spent just about every recess in fifth grade in U.V. We’d even come by the school yard to play there if we got together over the weekend.
But then in sixth grade we were in different classes, and started hanging out with different people, and U.V. started to fade. I remember one time, I think toward the end of that year, we were hanging out on the weekend and I suggested returning to U.V., hoping to recapture the excitement of it. But for whatever reason it fell flat. I couldn’t suspend my disbelief enough any more to get wrapped up in it. That was the last time we went. But I still have fond memories of that year when the magic worked.
That’s my story — I’d love to hear yours! Did you have imaginary friends as a kid? Worlds? Tell me all about them. 🙂
oh God. I did. it’s so embarassing…
one was named Gypsy and one was named Rakkhosh (that’s humaneater in our language).
Eeck. I was messed up *blushes*
Nothing embarrassing about that! Lots of people have imaginary friends. 😀
Hi Megan,
A rather graceless introduction, but here goes . . . (Hopefully you’re notified of comments on old entries, otherwise I’ll just be introducing myself into the void of cyberspace. 0-o)
I heard about Give Up the Ghost from my aunt and uncle (Allan & Nanci B), who are friends with your dad, I think (?).
I’m looking forward to reading it (I’ve ordered it, but it hasn’t arrived yet)! The premise sounds amazing.
I really enjoyed the short stories you’ve shared on your site, particularly “Frozen” and “Seven Years” (absolutely gorgeous language – I am inspired and a tiny bit discouraged!), and I’m having a great time reading back through your blog.
As for imaginary worlds? In grades 3-5, my friend and I had a place called Mystical Land, and in grade 6 (when I switched schools), a few friends and I had Theopianna, which we got to by clapping our hands as we stepped over a certain crack in the pavement. Until I read your post, I had no idea anyone else did that sort of thing as a kid! ^_^
I didn’t have an imaginary friend until I was 13 – though ostensibly, he was more of a fictional character. His name was Peregrine, and I spent years and years writing stories about him. (I think I’ve finally moved on. =p)
Anyway, I wish you all the best of luck with your writing career and your other endeavours!
Erin
Hi Erin,
Great to hear from you! Your aunt and uncle have been friends with my parents for as long as I can remember. 🙂 Glad that you enjoyed the short stories–hope you like the book just as much!
I like your method for getting to your imaginary world. What would happen in Mystical Land and Theopianna? I find those sorts of “games” (they never really feel like games at the time, do they?) so interesting.
Thanks for getting in touch!
Megan