What (or Who) Inspired You to Write?
Originally Written Between 2016-2017
“Okay, class,” said Miss Simon, my 5th grade teacher. “Your book report is due on Friday. Remember that you have to read it in front of the room. So, be prepared.”
I loved to read. And, being the “goodie two-shoes, always obeying the rules, never missing an assignment” ten-year-old that I was, I immediately read the assigned book and wrote my book report. Per Miss Simon’s instruction, we were not allowed to tell the ending of the book. I don’t remember the titles of any of the books I reported on – and there were many --. But, I do remember that after describing the plot of the story, I always ended with, “and if you want to know how this book ends, you will have to read it yourself. I really liked the book and I know you will, too.”
Was writing book reports the start of my writing career? Maybe, a little bit. I was always describing stories, activities that I witnessed, or adventures that I experienced in a little journal – actually called a diary. You know the kind – a little book with a key – the kind that your little sister would open and read when you weren’t around.
I believe, however, that my mother was my inspiration. During my grade school and high school years, she wrote a weekly column in our town’s newspaper entitled, “Roller Ramblings,” in which she highlighted the activities of my parents’ roller rink.
During that time and for years afterwards, she was known as Forest Lake’s Historical Writer – much like June Anderson is today in Anoka. Mom would research for days on end to write an accurate account of the town’s past. She was even hired to write about our town for their centennial celebration in 1993.
When I went to college, I took English, speech, journalism, and various writing classes in order to receive my AA in Marketing and my BA in Communications. Those classes involved writing. A lot of writing. Book reports, investigative articles, fact-finding news stories, and personal reflections – to name just a few of the types of writing I loved to do.
In the working world, I started writing newsletter articles for my division. I interviewed newcomers and priests for my church’s bulletins. Norm and I were leaders in National Marriage and Engaged Encounter and wrote personal stories for encounter weekends. And, writing yearly Christmas newsletters has become a tradition.
My best friend died at the age of 50 and that’s when I realized I needed to write. Yes…. needed. After learning that Judy had died, I immediately sat down and wrote a letter to her. Telling her how much I loved her and reminisced about our teen years and the hundreds of hours we spent roller skating. Writing was my way of working through my grief. I poured out my heart to her. I eventually wrote eulogies for each of my parents, my sister-in-law and two dear friends who died.
Carol and Lyle Bradley were also an inspiration to me to continue writing. After retiring, I didn’t really have a long-lived desire to do anything remarkable. Oh, I planned on traveling and playing with my grandchildren. But, nothing spectacular. Then, I joined a new church and someone made an announcement about a writers’ group at church that was welcoming new members. Carol was sitting next to me. She told me that she and Lyle were members of that group and told me all about it. So, I joined. Then, Lyle told me about the Creative Writers in Coon Rapids and here I am! I enjoy every single meeting and the challenge of writing fiction, Haiku’s, and poetry.
I’ve been a member of this great writing group for almost four years now and I look forward to each meeting. In those years, I’ve written many stories about my growing-up years as Mary Vogel and the married-with-children years as Mary McGraw. I complied over 60 of those adventures and memories into a booklet for each one of my kids and grandkids a couple of years ago. I’m now in the process of creating a second booklet.
My mom definitely found her passion and through her example, I have found mine.
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