"A Real Doozy" by Tonya Staufer
– revenge of the 6-year-old
A wronged child welcomes home the prodigal parents with a flood of retribution.
As an author, Tonya is moved by the effect humor and narratives have on readers. She is enthusiastic about crafting stories with beguiling characters, adding dashes of humor, and engaging dialogue that leaves her fingerprint on each page. She is published in anthologies, e-magazines, local press, and literary magazines. She is a member of Poets and Writers. Her books include Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons, A Secret Gift, Baubles to Die For, and Red, White, and Boom. She writes under the pen name Tonya Penrose. Find her at www.tonyawrites.com.
Author’s Talk
Tonya Staufer
Hello. I’m author Tonya Staufer; Tonya Penrose is my pen name for my novels. I was around six years old when I wrote my first book with illustrations. I made it using construction paper and judging by my parent’s expressions over my drawing attempts, I knew focusing on writing was the best direction.
I found my way back to writing when I was laid up with a broken ankle. Over the following months, I penned numerous stories that surprised me by being published in anthologies, e-magazine, local press, and literary magazines. With that dash of confidence, I kept writing. When my writer's group insisted one of my short stories needed to be a novel, I rebelled. I didn’t have the patience to sit that long with the same characters, but they all loved Cassie and became her champion. Alas, they wore me down and I penned my first book, Old Mountain Cassie: The Three Lessons. Since then, I’ve gotten to know my writing chair pretty well over the last few years.
I have four novels available for purchase at Amazon and other booksellers. A fifth book, Welcome to Charm, is multi-genre and my publisher says will be out spring of 2022. Currently, I’m writing my 6th book that's part of the “Shell Isle Mystery Series.” I’m a member of Poets and Writers. I invite you to visit: www.tonyawrites.com. You can learn more about my stories that might tickle your fancy. And please don’t be shy about telling your friends and family about my books.
The story, “A Real Doozy,” needed to be shared. It’s my public service to all kids out there to remind parents to think before they act or face the consequences. I admit my actions back then were a tad extreme, but the tale still moves around every family gathering. The younger generations get a taste of our heritage and a lesson on how not to behave. Of course, I respectfully disagree with the disparaging of my reputation. The telling of “A Real Doozy” sets the record straight, you might say. The mischief-making and pranks continue. They’re part of my DNA. To the chagrin of many that reside on my family tree, I continue to shine the light on what I consider their missteps. And I carry that torch proudly. — Tonya Staufer
