I definitely talk a lot with my hands….I like to imagine that here I am saying, “Over to you!” Thanks to Nikhol Esteras for capturing me in full swing.
Now it’s your turn. Further to my newsletter last week sharing my writing history, I’d love to turn the spotlight on you, yes you! What is an important memory in your writing/creating history? Do you want to shout out a teacher/person who encouraged you, or one that did just the opposite? All is welcome. (Thanks to those who already shared on the original post, I loved reading your stories and feel free to share more).
Equally, if you have a favourite quote that has guided your creative life, please drop it here. Let’s inspire each other.
Here’s one of my fave quotes, from a writer who has inspired me so much. It speaks to me to forging your own path.
“As a man danced so the drums were beaten for him.” Chinua Achebe.
I loved reading your writing memories last week, it was lovely and a lot of it resonated and made me think about my own history, too long to write here, but one things sticks out. Even thought I've moved countries and moved flats nine times after that, I still have the small book, called Sue's Diary, I made in primary school, essentially a fan-fiction book based on Green Smoke by Rosemary Manning. I was always writing and illustrating books at home but this one is special because my teacher, Mrs Harris, wrote in the back - "Simply super, A+ I hope to read one of your books one day. I am so proud of you Carys - I would like a signed copy please." It meant everything to me as all I wanted to do was write stories. I've carried it with me over the years and often get it out to appreciate how someone believed in me at a time when I didn't have any adult support. I still have the dream of handing her a signed copy of my novel... I hope I'll be able to do that one day and thank her.
Thank you so much for sharing this Carys. I got goose bumps reading this lovely story, support like that means the world. How lovely that you still have it and I have no doubt Mrs Harris will be the proud owner of a signed copy of your novel! Hurrah for Mrs Harris and all the Mrs Harris' out there!
I somehow missed last week and just went back and read it...how lovely all those writing memories. I remember one year in my English class in 5th or 6th grade, I wrote a short poem about everyone in the class. I have such fond memories of doing it and still have the mimeographed handout with all the poems that everyone got. I've written off and on my whole life. When my grandmother turned 80 everyone in the extended family wrote a memory of some special occasion with her. I was probably 18 by that time and I wrote about visiting a woman with extreme illness and shaking in a sort of old folks home. It was one of those formative times for me as I recall my grandmothers kindness and love. Writing, what a joy and temperamental mistress she is!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Kristina. I love how generous your poem writing was, writing something for each person. How delightful! I'd love to see that poem some day. And your writing about your grandmother sounds truthful and touching. These two memories show just how much of a gift writing can be for ourselves and others. Thank you for sharing and your last line made me smile! :)
Mr. Pollack was my English teacher during my freshman year of high school. All year long, he drilled us on how to write a sentence and how to write a paragraph. When I moved on to 10th grade, Mr. Pollack moved up to 10th as well. We spent the year avoiding passive voice and dangling modifiers. When I became a senior, I had my third year with Mr. Pollack. We spent drilling grammar and writing essays. He had a profound impact on my writing life. It occurs to me as I write this that I need to write a Substack about Mr. Pollack. It also occurs to me that I've got to get his address and send him a letter. Mr. Pollack a big part of the reason that I enjoy writing so much. Hal
I would love to read a Substack about Mr Pollack. I am especially intrigued because from what you have shared, he sounds quite formal in his writing training and yet it sounds like his style really inspired you! I need a class with Mr Pollack, because I just love using passive voice (yet I might argue with him a bit about it's merit too haha). I look forward to that upcoming Substack and do let us know if you send him a letter.
I have two important memories. The first is writing a story in the 3rd grade about my grandmother, called "Jolly Dot" about how she loved to redecorate her house. As I recall, it was received well both at school and home and contained a lot of humor. It was only about a 1/2 page hand written on wide-lined paper, but it's one of my proudest works, although it got lost somewhere along the way.
The second memory is about the mother of one of my friends publishing a novel when I was in the 4th or 5th grade. It was based on her experience in suburbia, so I figured I could write a book too. I wrote one chapter based on my family's activity one Sunday, calling it "The Mapes". I gave it to her to read, and she was very encouraging. Although I never continued it, I often think about the support I received from both her and my 3rd grade teacher.
What lovely stories Robin! I love that you still remember the name of your story about your grandmother and what a sweet name it was. I also just loved reading about how encouraging your friends mother was and how she led by example, inspiring you along the way. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, DD for sharing. What a beautiful way you moved us through these moments in your life. A teacher who "inspired me to stick to whatever I put my mind to." That's it! That is what we all need and that ties in perfectly to the quote you shared. Thank you for your words, what a beautiful journey!
I loved reading your writing memories last week, it was lovely and a lot of it resonated and made me think about my own history, too long to write here, but one things sticks out. Even thought I've moved countries and moved flats nine times after that, I still have the small book, called Sue's Diary, I made in primary school, essentially a fan-fiction book based on Green Smoke by Rosemary Manning. I was always writing and illustrating books at home but this one is special because my teacher, Mrs Harris, wrote in the back - "Simply super, A+ I hope to read one of your books one day. I am so proud of you Carys - I would like a signed copy please." It meant everything to me as all I wanted to do was write stories. I've carried it with me over the years and often get it out to appreciate how someone believed in me at a time when I didn't have any adult support. I still have the dream of handing her a signed copy of my novel... I hope I'll be able to do that one day and thank her.
Thank you so much for sharing this Carys. I got goose bumps reading this lovely story, support like that means the world. How lovely that you still have it and I have no doubt Mrs Harris will be the proud owner of a signed copy of your novel! Hurrah for Mrs Harris and all the Mrs Harris' out there!
I somehow missed last week and just went back and read it...how lovely all those writing memories. I remember one year in my English class in 5th or 6th grade, I wrote a short poem about everyone in the class. I have such fond memories of doing it and still have the mimeographed handout with all the poems that everyone got. I've written off and on my whole life. When my grandmother turned 80 everyone in the extended family wrote a memory of some special occasion with her. I was probably 18 by that time and I wrote about visiting a woman with extreme illness and shaking in a sort of old folks home. It was one of those formative times for me as I recall my grandmothers kindness and love. Writing, what a joy and temperamental mistress she is!
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Kristina. I love how generous your poem writing was, writing something for each person. How delightful! I'd love to see that poem some day. And your writing about your grandmother sounds truthful and touching. These two memories show just how much of a gift writing can be for ourselves and others. Thank you for sharing and your last line made me smile! :)
Mr. Pollack was my English teacher during my freshman year of high school. All year long, he drilled us on how to write a sentence and how to write a paragraph. When I moved on to 10th grade, Mr. Pollack moved up to 10th as well. We spent the year avoiding passive voice and dangling modifiers. When I became a senior, I had my third year with Mr. Pollack. We spent drilling grammar and writing essays. He had a profound impact on my writing life. It occurs to me as I write this that I need to write a Substack about Mr. Pollack. It also occurs to me that I've got to get his address and send him a letter. Mr. Pollack a big part of the reason that I enjoy writing so much. Hal
I would love to read a Substack about Mr Pollack. I am especially intrigued because from what you have shared, he sounds quite formal in his writing training and yet it sounds like his style really inspired you! I need a class with Mr Pollack, because I just love using passive voice (yet I might argue with him a bit about it's merit too haha). I look forward to that upcoming Substack and do let us know if you send him a letter.
I have two important memories. The first is writing a story in the 3rd grade about my grandmother, called "Jolly Dot" about how she loved to redecorate her house. As I recall, it was received well both at school and home and contained a lot of humor. It was only about a 1/2 page hand written on wide-lined paper, but it's one of my proudest works, although it got lost somewhere along the way.
The second memory is about the mother of one of my friends publishing a novel when I was in the 4th or 5th grade. It was based on her experience in suburbia, so I figured I could write a book too. I wrote one chapter based on my family's activity one Sunday, calling it "The Mapes". I gave it to her to read, and she was very encouraging. Although I never continued it, I often think about the support I received from both her and my 3rd grade teacher.
What lovely stories Robin! I love that you still remember the name of your story about your grandmother and what a sweet name it was. I also just loved reading about how encouraging your friends mother was and how she led by example, inspiring you along the way. Thank you so much for sharing!
Thank you, DD for sharing. What a beautiful way you moved us through these moments in your life. A teacher who "inspired me to stick to whatever I put my mind to." That's it! That is what we all need and that ties in perfectly to the quote you shared. Thank you for your words, what a beautiful journey!