Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Happy Writers


My son is the one who got me writing again. I had stopped, for I don’t know how long. When I graduated college I tried to work on a book. I organized my folders, filed away information, then got depressed when the words didn’t flow.

I started working as an editor for the Bureau of Land Management, trying to help bureaucrats sound like human beings. Before long I was working on brochures and pamphlets, designing and writing sometimes. It was a good creative outlet and graphic design work helped pay the bills when I ran away from steady employment.

But during Danish Days four years ago, our local independent bookstore decided to hold a writing contest to celebrate Hans Christian Andersen’s 100th birthday. My son wanted to enter. We decided to both write stories for the contest.

Drew started writing stories before he could write. He would draw pictures and then tell me or his dad the words that went on each page. He would take his books to preschool and the teacher would read them aloud to the class. I still have a huge file of his books of “Scary the Robot and Happy the Boy,” and any other characters his vivid imagination came up with.

For this contest, we had to write a fairy tale. Drew finished his and included a picture. Mine went from being a short story, to a picture book, to a full-fledged novel. It wasn’t a GOOD novel and on my shelf it sits. But it had a beginning, an end, and a lot of stuff going on in the middle. The best part about it was that it reignited my desire to write books.

So I guess when I publish my first book (keep in mind I’m dreaming here!), I’ll dedicate it to Drew. Or, who knows, it might end up that he's dedicating his to me…

15 comments:

PJ Hoover said...

Kids are awesome! Yes, totally dedicate the book to him!

Kelly Polark said...

Oh, that is so sweet! I also love that his preschool teacher read his stories aloud to everyone!
I just thanked my nine year old this week to getting me back to READING books (besides picture books). I used to be an avid reader til I had kids, then put my own reading for pleasure aside til my son and I started reading the Harry Potter books together!

Michelle D. Argyle said...

Aww, what a sweet story! Either way, you'll be a happy mom, for sure!

Sherrie Petersen said...

PJ -- I do love my kids :^) and I'll be thrilled to dedicate it to him.

Kelly -- Not only did the teacher read the stories to them, a whole bunch of them started writing stories all because of him!

Glam -- I AM a happy mom :^)

Corey Schwartz said...

Oh, your son sounds precious! He has definitely earned himself a dedication :)

Kelly H-Y said...

Oh, that is so awesome! Your last paragraph made me smile ... the whole thing did, in fact! What a special dedication that will be ... for both of you!

Patty Palmer said...

You never know when the inspiration will hit and it's even better when the inspiration comes from a child.
You tell the nicest stories....

Anonymous said...

My son says he's going to hit publication before me. I say, let's both go for it, bud! I love that story about what brought you back.

Rena Jones said...

Oh, what a great post!

I love his picture, too!

Carrie Harris said...

How cool that you two can share this!

Sherrie Petersen said...

Corey - He is the most precious boy I know, but what mom doesn't think that about their son?!

Kelly - I love to make you smile :^)

Patty - He inspires me every day with his creativity!

Becky - How great that your son loves to write, too!

Rena - I love the picture, too -- he even drew the ring around Saturn :^)

Carrie - I'm so glad that he likes books and writing as much as I do -- it's a great thing to share!

Sarah Laurenson said...

I love the idea of him dedicating a book to you (after you've dedicated numerous ones to him, of course).

Suzanne Casamento said...

Wow. How inspiring! That's amazing that your son would draw pictures and ask you and your husband to write the words.

Imagine being that little and already knowing who you are...

Barrie said...

What a great story! (And I have a son named Drew, too)

Anonymous said...

If you keep at it, yes, you will publish. It's about persistence, dedication, and self-belief as much as anything else.

And good for your kid, writing! I started writing at age six, and I can't imagine ever NOT writing.

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