You’re A Writer

I remember the assignment.
I remember working at the kitchen table.
I remember reading it to my mother, whose reaction was one of delighted surprise.
You’re a writer, she said confidently.

If confidence could be caught like a germ, I caught it that day.
To have someone believe in your ability, and express it in no uncertain terms, is a gift.
I enjoyed the writing part of the assignment.
I did not like the artistic part of the task.

Our “books” had to have a front and back cover made of cardboard.
The cover had to be colorful.
Wallpaper or fabric was suggested.
My mother thought contact paper, placed adhesive side down, would work well.

I went with her suggestion and found a floral pattern.
It was pleasant to the eye, but not in line with the topic of the assignment.
The assignment was to write about the Jabberwock.
All of us fifth graders were encouraged to let our imaginations run wild.

I had no idea what a Jabberwock was, so I made up my own creature.
Though I could not draw what I imagined, I could absolutely describe it.
You described it so realistically, I really thought that it would jump off the page.
So said my mother, the encourager and number one fan.

Later, we all learned that Lewis Carroll wrote the poem, Jabberwocky.
It was a nonsense poem with words put together because Lewis liked the way they sounded.
It was a poem about the killing of a creature, the Jabberwock.
Lewis included Jabberwocky in his novel, Through the Looking Glass.

I tucked my mother’s declaration in my heart.
Then, in 1972, The Waltons came on television every Thursday night at 8:00.
Earl Hamner Jr. narrated each episode and his family was the fodder for every story.
Earl was the actual John Boy.

I saw through Earl Hamner Jr. that a writer could write about what he/she knew.
Stories didn’t have to be grand.
A writer could take something simple and make it extraordinary.
Honest simplicity made good storytelling.

People are interesting.
Stories are all around us if we just take time to look.
There is humor and tragedy in every life.
It is a gift to be able to write a story down and share it with others.

I continued to write, though I never journaled.
I wrote poems and loved to use my creativity to tell a story.
I never wanted to write a novel, since shorter pieces seemed to be the perfect boundary.
I thought of Blaise Paschal’s mother, whose words I read and never forgot.

Excuse the length of this letter, I didn’t have time to make it short.

I wrote poems as gifts for the women I taught in Bible study.
I wrote letters to my children.
I wrote for my church paper many years ago.
That writing became these Whispers many years later.

And now a dream has come true.
I have written a children’s book and just signed the contract for its publication.
A wonderfully creative illustrator has brought my words to life.
The book should be in the world about six months from now.

Oh, to read my book to my grandchildren.
Oh, to know that words I have been loving since I was a girl, will now tell a story.
Oh, how grateful I am.
My prayer is that this book puts a little bit of beauty into the world.

Oh, how we need more beauty.

My prayer is that this upcoming book will glorify God, the Giver of my gifts.
My editor, illustrator, and publisher all bow their knee to the Lord Jesus.
We have worked and continue to work on this project excellently, to give Him glory.
This is a gift of love from me, first and foremost to Him, and then to all of you who will read it.

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Colossians 3:23,24)

 

Here is a sneak peek at Will Kelly‘s adorable illustration for READING WITH REMMY.

2 responses to “You’re A Writer”

1. How blessed to have the gift of putting your words on paper! You bring joy to others as you use your gift.

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   • Oh, thank you, Nancy! You have always been so encouraging to me.
     Gina

     Reply