Why I Write

As a youngster of the Sixties, my parents gave me a book for my birthday—‘At Bertrams Hotel’ by Agatha Christie. At first disappointment filled my eyes, but I said my thanks and went to my room. The book sat for days on my dresser (I had really wanted a swimming pool), but soon I was over my disappointment and I read the book.

This opened my eyes to a completely new world of entertainment. My mom liked to read and had a bookshelf of books. After I finished Miss Marple’s investigation, I headed to the bookshelf to see what other adventures could be found. One of the books I read contained loves scenes between two lovers. “Oops, mom, your daughter is getting her first education about sex.”

When my parents found out how much I liked to read, they took me to the local library and I had my first library card. It astounded me to see all the shelves of books. I froze in movement with all the adventures waiting for me at my fingertips. Every two weeks I borrowed four or five books and eagerly read them all.

The years passed and my fondness of reading never changed. I joined a book club, purchased their recommended selections every month, and purchased a few others. When I finished reading the books, I donated them to the library.

Then I read a book that changed everything for me, “Gone with the Wind”. I wanted to be Scarlett, the belle of the ball. I cried when she cried and when Rhett told her goodbye at the end of the book, I wanted to run out the door and drag him back. I closed the book and sighed. I wanted to write a book that captured someone’s attention well enough to have them miss the characters when the book finished.

I started writing short stories, but they never went anywhere except back under my pillow when I finished writing. Then my world changed and I stopped writing (I never stopped reading, though).

In 2012, I started writing again, but it was in a journal about my daily events. I loved how a blank page changed when the words were written. How easily the pen glided across the paper. In 2014, I received an email about a short story contest and submitted my first piece of work.

I still write short stories and am currently working on a novel.

Why do I write? I have a goal to write and publish a story that leaves the readers wanting more. On a more selfish note, I love seeing my name as an author in print.