Thanks to everyone who entered the free magazine contest, either by email or by comment. (There were a ton more emails. Why is that? Don't be bashful!!!) There'll be another contest soon to win a free issue of Space and Time Magazine with my story, "Hide the Weird," inside, on page twenty-five. Sorry it took so long to announce the winner, as well. Been taking care of some weighty things over here.
And it's hard for me to believe that someone wanted to interview me about being a newly-published author, but that happened recently. Ms. Raychelle Muhammed at http://www.Raychelle-Writes.
How can someone write so much and then completely forget about them??? I have to better organize my time, get more stuff out there. In fact, I have three or four more works that need to be sent out, pronto.
So I've been signing copies of the magazine for co-workers, for a fundraiser, and for immediate family and friends--and I'm excited to be able to give one to my sixth-grade teacher. I won't mention her name, because I have a feeling that might embarrass her a little, but she was--and still is--this awesome woman who was the first person ever to tell me that I had some writing talent, and that I was actually a worthwhile person in general. (Even my family at the time didn't tell me I had any writing talent; though, in fairness, what family knows that about their kid when he's in the sixth grade?) Well, anyway, she did, and she was a wonderful person at a very traumatic time in my life.
So the lesson today, people: Remember your good teachers, whether they were literally teachers or not. Try to contact one, and tell them how awesome he/she was for you back in the day. Feel free to comment below about an awesome teacher, or teacher-like person, who made a positive impression upon you.
I didn't have a teacher positively influence me on my writing until my late teen years in college. Prior to that I was writing essays and book reports on books I wasn't particularly enthused about. Once I started college I began writing more personal stories, memoirs, etc. During my sophomore year, I wrote a piece on how John Lennon's music saved me during my own traumatic years. My teacher (Miss Thompson) loved it so much she gave me an A+ and raved about for the rest of the semester. It was then I realized maybe I did have talent and had found something I was good at! :)
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading your interview, Steven!
Sounds like you should be writing more often! Keep those stories and memoirs coming!
ReplyDeleteI've known quite a few people who said that Lennon's music made a positive impression upon them. Me, too, especially in my 20s.
Thanks. The interview was cool. It'll be posted on the 11th.
You're absolutely right - I've never forgotten the influence my English teachers had. Although, they've never outright encouraged me to write, they gave me the gift of appreciating literature in all forms.
ReplyDeleteThanks, again for contacting me about the contest. I am looking forward to reading your published story.
English teachers rule!!! You're welcome! Thanks for entering the contest, and thanks for reading!!!
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