What ignited you?
Recognize this book? This 1966 gem — written by Joan and Roger Bradfield, and illustrated by Winnie Fitch — set my career path. From the first page I knew where I was headed:
Who are you? What's your name?
Would you like to play a game?
Let's pretend we haven't met.
I'll ask you questions, now get set.
As a child this book urged and encouraged my natural curiosity. I peppered everyone with questions, and years later, became a newspaper reporter (and later, writer / editor / poet, etc). I'm still asking questions. Intrigued by path, process and personality, always I wonder: Who are you? What shaped your life?
I like this response, from Frederick Buechner in Listening to Your Life:
By the time I was sixteen, I knew as surely as I knew anything that the work I wanted to spend my life doing was the work of words. I did not yet know what I wanted to say with them. I did not yet know in what form I wanted to say it or to what purpose. But if a vocation is as much the work that chooses you as the work you choose, then I knew from that time on that my vocation was, for better or worse, to involve that searching for, and treasuring, and telling of secrets which is what the real business of words is all about.
And in this excerpt from the poem, When I Am Asked, Lisel Mueller poignantly reveals what led her to write:
It was soon after my mother died . . .
I sat on a gray stone bench
ringed with the ingenue faces
of pink and white impatiens
and placed my grief
in the mouth of language,
the only thing that would grieve with me.
Now it's your turn:
Who are you? Tell me, please, what ignited your writing life?
Monday, November 5, 2012 at 8:51AM
Reader Comments (10)
As a youngster, 2nd grade, Mrs. Kitchen sent me to the library "on my own" to choose a book. I hunted through a couple of shelves before finding The Pig Tailed Pioneer. I had black braids at that time, so the title jumped out at me. The book begins as a wagon arrives in Portland Oregon and the young girl begins to explore her new surroundings. A couple of years ago a very dear friend found a copy of the book on ebay, so I have it again. Did I settle in Oregon because of that early reading experience. I think it's possible.
When I arrived in Oregon in the early 70's I discovered the poetry of William Stafford. His "simple" language, conversational tone were about as thrilling as the west itself. I began writing again, eventually found my way to Lewis & Clark College where I taught for ten years at the Northwest Writing Institute, directed by Kim Stafford, Bill's son. I met Bill Stafford a couple of times on campus. He was as quiet and modest as everyone has testified, with penetrating eyes.
Ann Staley, Corvallis
Ann,
What a wonderful path to poetry.
Every experience, every encounter, leaves its mark, and makes room for more.
Thanks for sharing your story here.
I was taking French in High School and it didn't get me anywhere close to bilingual, but the amazing discussions that erupted while we translated Jacques Prevert poems, captured my fascination.
Love this post! And that Liesel Mueller poem -- one of my favorite poetry moments: those bright impatiens in the face of grief.
Anyway, I think I had the same sense as Buechner at about the same age (a little earlier for me). I think I started writing because it was the only way I could make sense of things, of myself, of feelings, of truths I sensed but no one else in my life wanted to talk about. So I guess the desire to understand was the beginning of my writing life.
Oh my gosh I forgot about your favorite book. You carried that book around forever. Great memories sis. I think propping you up on the sofa and playing school was my destiny to become a teacher. Sorry you never got to be the teacher. LOL
I'm loving these back-stories! Thanks so much for sharing.
Shawnte - What a great way to learn a language -- through poetry -- and then to learn the beauty of poetry itself. Kudos to your French teacher.
Molly - That's what I felt too (and still do): writing as a way to make sense of, well, everything.
Cindi - I love that you remember this book. too. Blast from the past, huh? And, of course, I was always happy to be your student. Who knew all that play would lead us into real careers? :)
Ray Bradbury's _Dandelion Wine_.
I can still remember, very clearly, finishing the book, putting it down, picking up my journal, and declaring I would be a writer. I was fifteen.
Wow, what a vivid turning point, Allyson. Love it!
ok. my grandkids are getting these for Christmas!
Thanks, Drew!
Good idea, Linnea! These classics make excellent gifts.