Happy April! These leaves are unfurling right outside my second-story window. Seriously, they’ve transformed from this morning, and I can hardly wait to see them tomorrow.
I’m starting this blog because I want to know you better, and I’d like you to get to know me, too. I look forward to it! May I begin by answering some of your questions?
The one I receive the most often is: How and why did you become a writer?
When my sons were young, I made up stories, poems, and songs for them. My mind was always zinging with ideas—not good for falling asleep—but it wasn’t until I started journaling that a Portrait of Marguerite seemed to write itself. I’d begun journaling every morning, filling pages with random thoughts and not worrying about proper spelling, good handwriting, or saying anything meaningful. As a young person, I’d never been much of a reader because I had an undiagnosed vision problem. And until I began journaling, I’d only written down poems and songs. I highly recommend journaling to anyone, to clear the clutter from your mind. Putting words on paper seems to make the rest of the day better, once you’ve griped, admitted a fear, or written out a problem you’re struggling with.
Of course, the full-length fiction novel A Portrait of Marguerite didn’t really write itself. I had to return daily and continue writing and rewriting, and pondering my characters and plot—digging deeper and deeper. It pays to be a little obsessive. Too bad I’m not a compulsively neat housekeeper. But in the arena of writing, I am willing (driven?) to go back and rework the manuscript. Ah, but will it be good in the eyes of an editor at a publishing house? That’s another question for another day. See you then!
I’m so glad you put your words on paper. I love the Amish. Thank you for sharing your God given talent with us!
Barbara Thompson
barbmaci61@yahoo.com
Thanks, Barbara, for your kind words of encouragement.
I am enamoured with the Amish. Couldn’t live with no electricity, but as I read your fiction and others, I find their love, loyalty, peace and simplicity are rubbing off on me. My daughter and I just spent a Sunday riding around in Lancaster Co. (we had been to NH to clean out my sister’s house and were on our way home to GA. We were delighted to see many of the things I’d read about-one room schools, the beautiful farms, The horses and buggies. We were behind one buggy that had 2 small children looking out the back. We were so thrilled! Saw homes with church in session. A couple of houses, we could see in the window and saw the women in their prayer kapps on one side and the men on the other. The people we saw were friendly, smiling and waving. They didn’t seem to mind that we were there. Our only regret was that because it was Sunday, the shops weren’t open. Keep writing Kate, I can’t get enough!
You sound as excited about the Amish as I am, Martha! Thanks for writing!
Very interesting , tell us more . I have a children’s story I played with to get my grand daughter to eat & get ready for preschool . I pretended to be 2 sisters & a brother & Erika was their friend . I spoke their voices . Erika loved it . I’ve wanted to write it & Erika draw pictures for it . She’s in her 3ed year of collage so it’s been a long time & I’m not remembering it so good any more . I wish I could remember more then bits and pieces of it . Wish I would have recorded it back then .
I really enjoy reading what you write & want to read more .
Hi Mary, a very clever story! We parents have our entertaining methods of getting things done! Not too late to write the story down for your children to use someday.
Kate, I love the look of your blog. And enjoyed what you had to say about why you write. It interests me why someone would sit down and put all those words on the page. Such a big commitment of time and energy. My favorite book of yours is Portrait of Marguerite.
Thanks, Judy, your support is very much appreciated!