Writing

Someone asked me the other day when I decided to become a writer. My first thoughts turned to a summer reading program held during my elementary school years. Why would my brain make that kind of jump? She had asked about writing, not reading. But perhaps all good writing comes first from good reading.


I remember my parents challenging me and my sister, using money to motivate us to read. We were offered a penny a page for every book we read that was at or above our reading level. I remember getting excited because I had plans to read "The Hobbit"--that was worth over three whole dollars! I already enjoyed reading at that point, though. The money was just an added bonus. 


The earliest example of regular reading that I can recall is that of family scripture study. That's right--a four year old was reading from the Bible on a regular basis! I actually think that's why I read out loud so easily now; many adults struggle with that skill, surprisingly. I also think that early study of scripture is why I have an easier time understanding Shakespeare than the average person. True, the languages aren't from the same centuries, but it helped get my mind used to making transitions from one style of English to another. 


It's funny though--aside from scriptures, I never remember seeing my parents read when I was growing up. They still don't read much, from what I can tell. Neither of my parents have a great love for non-religious literature, so it surprises me that I love reading so much. I guess it's possible to teach your children by something other than example.


The summer reading program challenge must have taken place around third or fifth grade (I skipped fourth). I had managed to read over a hundred books that summer break, the most of any other student in school. My award was a white gym bag duffel from the Olive Garden and a certificate for a free dinner there. I was so excited; I remember thinking that it wasn't even hard for me to do, that I could have read more books if I had tried.

Now I realize that my first passion truly is reading. Thomas Jefferson is attributed with saying, "I cannot live without books." So it is with me. My first attempts at writing began in elementary school, when I wanted to enter the Young Authors story writing contest. I was too intimidated to turn in anything. In sixth grade I tried writing again, but it's easy to see how much Jack London's "White Fang" and Jean Craighead George's "Julie of the Wolves" influenced my attempted story. (Those were a couple of books I was reading at the time.)

As I moved on to junior high and high school, my writing became focused on the books I had to read for classes: book reports. Writing was simply a tool to express my thoughts about the literature I read. It's the same way now and it is why my ideal job would be to read books and get paid to do so, like an editor or publisher, offering my opinions along the way. Another job I would enjoy is teaching literature courses to college students. That way I would get to read all kinds of books and then spend all day talking about them. 

So for me, writing is a means of discussing literature. I do enjoy the crafting that goes on as arguments form and connections are made, though; I think my love of reading has since translated to a love for writing itself. That's why I started this blog, or so I thought. Now I think that maybe I should include book reviews here, since reading is what started me writing in the first place. We'll see!