The Do-Over

by Sharon M. Peterson

Mimi is univerasally the most loved character in THE DO OVER. She was SUCH a fun character to write. Most people are surprised to discover that I didn't know any of my own grandparents. But I always longed for them and my imagination did not disappoint. It also helps that I watched a whole lot of Golden Girls growing up. (And now, too!) I've been told Mimi seems to be a mashup of Blanche and Sophia. I guess that would be a grandma who told you important life lessons while wearing hot pants and stilletos. Yep, sounds just like Mimi.

“Perci, darling, a man wants a spoon, not a ladle. Remember that.”

I heard someone say this years ago and it ALWAYS stuck in my head. In fact, I think this may be where Mimi's sayings started. I knew this line would be in this scene. In fact, in very early versions of the book, Mimi gave Perci a miniature spoon each year at Christmas which Perci proudly displayed. ANNNND in that same early version, there was an entire chapter where Mimi convinces Perci to get a tattoo... of a spoon.