IWSG: Flights of Fantasy . . .
Happy Spring!! I’ve just finished planting a dozen flats of porch plants (I’ll never get that potting soil out from under my nails!) and am ready to sit in my comfy office chair instead of crouching over endless containers waiting to be filled. Not complaining – it’s my favorite time of year. I love watching things grow . . . everything from flowering starts to new plots. Which brings me to today’s question:
“What were some books that impacted you as a child or young adult?”
Though she absolutely loathed the nonsense of Dr. Seuss, I was blessed with a mother who said if I could reach it in the library or bookmobile and understand it, I could read it (much to the consternation of my elementary and middle school teachers who called her in more than once because I was reading books like Asimov’s Foundation Trilogy instead of “age and gender appropriate” books! She told them if it was in the library, I could read it. Thanks, Mom!!). I LOVED sci fi and series books, devouring everything I could find, and was rooted in front of Lost In Space and Star Trek. I wanted to follow the Hardy Boys, not Nancy Drew (though I DID read through the entire series one summer and thoroughly enjoyed them because she was more than just a girlie girl!). But my favorite of all time series from early years was The Black Stallion. I loved horses (the idea of them more than the sore butt and smelly reality of riding them on trails).
In middle and high school study hall and sometimes in class, instead of doing homework, my friends and I would spin a continuing story about buddies on adventures—usually with me coming up with the story line. Then, we started writing them out. The day my science teacher snatched up one of them and marched me to the office was the best day of my life. Instead of punishment, I found myself sitting with the guidance counselor who told me in no uncertain terms that my future was in writing fiction. How right he was!
Eighty titles later, my main goal is still to share a flight of fantasy with my reader. And if that reader wants more . . . my job is done!
Purpose: To share and encourage. Writers can express doubts and concerns without fear of appearing foolish or weak. Those who have been through the fire can offer assistance and guidance. It’s a safe haven for insecure writers of all kinds!
Posting: The first Wednesday of every month is officially Insecure Writer’s Support Group day. Post your thoughts on your own blog. Talk about your doubts and the fears you have conquered. Discuss your struggles and triumphs. Offer a word of encouragement for others who are struggling. Visit others in the group and connect with your fellow writer - aim for a dozen new people each time. The awesome co-hosts for the June 4th posting of the IWSG will be are PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melisa Maygrove, and Jean Davis!
Let’s rock the neurotic writing world!
Twitter hashtag is #IWSG
The Black Stallion is a popular choice today.
ReplyDeleteGood for your mom! I was allowed to read whatever I could understand and gravitated right away to adult fantasy and science fiction. (Of course, back in the day, those genres were much cleaner than they are now.)
LOL! Yes, indeed. Those from today's lists probably wouldn't have passed Mom screening!
DeleteI used to read what I wanted, including adult books, too. It's great your mom was so supportive of your reading.
ReplyDeleteGetting a rounded education was BIG for her, seeing as how she traveled along from Florida to Massachusetts for higher ed and worked her way up.
DeleteHi,
ReplyDeleteI am laughing because that was one of the best things that my mom said to me. And I don't know how many books I read that were not age appropriate.
My parents never limited what I read.
All the best.
Shalom shalom
The freedom to let the imagination fly - nothing better than that!! What a gift!
DeleteMy mother was also wonderfully laissez-faire about my reading. @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
Were't we lucky!!
DeleteI remember liking the Black Stallion too. Classic!
ReplyDeleteMy favorite summer read as a kid!
DeleteBoth your mom and your guidance counsellor sound amazing. I hope I can be that kind of parent for my kids--not limiting them, but helping them find and interact with media that speaks to them!
ReplyDeleteI'm sure you will be, Kim!!
DeleteHorse book lovers unite! There appears to be a sizeable group of us. I loved the Black Stallion books too.
ReplyDeleteThere were other "horse" series but nothing quite matched the Black!!
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