Lena Nelson Dooley has said that writers are born, a creation from God and I believe that to be true. But that first inkling? That first inclination? I believe that comes long before we take up the pen to write. Most writers will tell you they have loved books from a very young age. But it wasn’t until fourth grade that I read Walter Farley’s THE BLACK STALLION and discovered the joy of reading. The adventures of a whole world you never knew existed from your armchair. The bliss of losing oneself in a novel for a few stolen minutes, or better yet, under the covers with a flashlight while everyone else slept! I read my way through the entire series and thus began the relentless search to find the next great book. THE HARDY BOYS and NANCY DREW enthralled me, but it was that first series that hooked me. To be sure, it was my dad’s love of reading that made it inherently certain that someday I would share that love. But my early memories of his interests were that of memoirs and true stories and I enjoyed slipping into a world of make believe. A Navy pilot, he was a cowboy at heart. After flying for twenty years he longed to anchor himself to a plot of land with horses. A few sheep and cows. He did it all and somewhere along the way delved into Louis L’ Amour and Zane Grey. It is no suprise to me that he owns every L’Amour book written and most of Zane Grey’s, if not all. Hmmm, I wonder where I got it? You can read more about my dad on my blog, www.dadandme2.blogspot.com. We have more in common than our love to read and our book collections. At FICTIONADDICTION, I will be posting three times a week: Monday’s Meanderings with some views of writing, dreaming, publishing and the like; Rebecca’s Reviews on Wednesdays, where I will continue to write about much beloved books that have inspired me over the years; Friday’s Favorites, reviews about favorite authors and their latest novels. Hope you stop by often. I would love to hear from you – what are your earliest memories of books? What ignited your passion for reading?
“Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength and my redeemer.” KJV, Psalms 19:14
Comments 3
I’m no writer but wish I could become…my love for reading started time we, my 5 siblings could walk. Mama would take us to local library and let us pick out several books. I love everything about books from the library to the bookstores and the beautiful smell of books. I like you love fiction so I can disappear for awhile. I read about your dad in guidepost and went straight to Amazon and ordered The Stagecoach Murders. Reading it now with smiles and few tears and a total amazement at your fathers attention to details. Thanks for encouraging him and prayers for a long life for you both on writing and our enjoyment of reading your efforts.
I told stories on my grandpa knee when I was about 3 for pennies. I read because I was shy. I journaled from about 8 on. I wrote short stories and poetry in college.i have to have books around me, everywhere where I go! It’s a great joke in my family that if you can’t find me, I’m hidden somewhere with a book.ive written about 25 children’s book but yet I don’t send them to editors. I quess I’m not ready to let go of them anymore than I was ready to let my grown children go off to school. Maybe someday!
You must have a treasure trove of stories! I hope you keep writing! Blessings to you!