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because although it was unfamiliar, she understood this world.
    Then the path opened up. At the end of it was the dune in Pruet that she loved so well. She ran to it and climbed it. With each step her feet sank so deeply into the warm sand that it became almost comical for her to keep going, but she did. She was laughing as she reached the top. And there she saw the beach withthe estuary, and miles of Atlantic Ocean, and her sisters playing in the waves. Aunt Sunny was there, too, standing in the surf.
    â€œCome on in,” Aunt Sunny called from below.
    â€œBut I forgot my bathing suit,” Zinnie called back. “I won’t be able to go in.”
    â€œThat’s okay,” Aunt Sunny said, gesturing for her to join them. “I brought an extra one just in case!”
    Zinnie ran down the dune, so happy that she lifted off the sand and actually started to fly.
    When Zinnie woke up, she could feel the sun on her cheeks. At first she thought she was in Pruet about to take a swim with her sisters in the chilly ocean, but as she blinked awake and her room came into focus, she realized that she was in her bed in California. Pruet and all its summer treasure was thousands of miles away. She sat up and grinned, knowing that it wouldn’t be far away for long.
    That evening she wrote an email.
    Dear Mrs. Lee,
    Because of a last-minute opportunity to visit my great-aunt Sunny in Pruet, Massachusetts (she’s getting married!), I am afraid that I will no longer be attending Summer Scribes. My mom said that she talked to the school, but I wanted to write and tell you that while I am very excited to see my aunt, I am also very sad to miss out on camp. It was pretty much the hardestdecision of my life! Also, I know I sent a story already, “Spell of Warriors,” but could you please delete it? I’ve thought about it a lot and I don’t think it’s a good story to submit. I can’t tell you how much I want to be a part of the Writers’ Workshop next year and I know I need to turn in my very best work. I think I need to write something new. Since I won’t be attending Summer Scribes, do you have any advice for me?
    Sincerely,
    Zinnie Silver
    She received a response the next morning.
    Dear Zinnie,
    We had quite a waiting list to get in, so your spot was snapped right up. Though we will miss you in class, I am glad you are going to spend some time with your aunt. How exciting to go to a wedding, and Cape Cod is beautiful. Many famous writers have found inspiration there, including Tennessee Williams and Eugene O’Neill. I have no doubt that you will do the same. Also, it’s fine to submit a new story if that’s what you’d like to do. It just has to be in by the deadline of July 10th. My only advice is to write a little something every day, keep your eyes open, and let yourself be surprised. Stories are everywhere. Some are hidden and some are in plain sight. Don’t be afraid to go looking! I look forward to reading your work. Remember, I can only accept ten students into the Writers’ Workshop, which is really very few.
    Best wishes,
    Candace Lee
    Zinnie felt a twinge of anxiety as she read that last line. Only ten students! There were five seventh-grade spots and five eighth-grade spots. New spots only opened up for the eighth graders who chose to leave the workshop or who, in Mrs. Lee’s words, “weren’t taking full advantage of the opportunity.” It hardly ever happened that an eighth grader left, so it was extra-important that Zinnie get in this year. Going to Pruet had seemed like such a good idea when she’d woken up from her dream, but now she wondered if she’d made a mistake.
    Her spot in Summer Scribes had been filled, so it was too late to change her mind. She’d made her choice and she was going to have to stick to it. She could only hope that it would lead to inspiration the way the path in her dreams had led her to the