Smorgasbord Posts from My Archives – The Literary Column with Jessica Norrie – Reading from the very start
Posted on: July 19, 2019
- In: Books | guest posts | Writing
- 19 Comments
A great post on the importance of reading, that made me think of the books I read as a child and how they influenced my life.
In celebration of the imminent release of Jessica Norrie’s new book on July 22nd, I will be sharing her literary column posts again every fortnight over the summer. More about The Magic Carpet later in the post.
Reading from the very start
What is the beginning?
Before I wrote fiction and blogged, I was a translator, teacher and teacher trainer, with students ranging from 3 – 80+. I learned if a child learns young enough to appreciate different points of view through reading stories, the habit ebbs and flows but is never quite lost, with huge repercussions for how their lives develop.
Non-fiction can be told as stories too. The beginnings are usually clear, the plotting goes all over the place, the ends may be murky, but there’s always a story in there somewhere. It may be obvious – Henry VIII and his six wives, Harriet Tubman, Mahatma Ghandhi. Sometimes…
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19 Responses to "Smorgasbord Posts from My Archives – The Literary Column with Jessica Norrie – Reading from the very start"
July 19, 2019 at 5:41 am
I like the idea that Jessica had another “life” as a teacher, translator, and teacher trainer before she became attracted to writing. Very similar to my background as an educator.
Prior experience is a good thing: Writers come to their craft seasoned with other skills, other viewpoints, and the discipline to learn something new. Thanks, Darlene, for featuring Jessica! You, she, and I have something else in common: imminent book releases. 😀
July 19, 2019 at 6:55 am
I so agree, the life experience we bring to our writing is so valuable and that includes all those books we’ve read over the years! We do all have books about to be released. It’s so exciting!
July 19, 2019 at 6:47 am
Oh, yes. What Marian says above. I can’t imagine who I’d be if I didn’t read as a child and become a convert of books from a young age. I applaud all authors who write for children and nurture them into a love of reading. Just as YOU do, Darlene, with your Amanda series!
July 19, 2019 at 6:58 am
Thanks so much, my writer friend! I would be a different person without the books I have read over the years and the people I have met in person and online. xo
July 19, 2019 at 7:25 am
YES! I feel so sorry for people who don’t read… and there are a lot of them out there. Unfathomable. xo
July 19, 2019 at 9:19 am
Sounds like a good article, Darlene. I’m clicking through.
July 19, 2019 at 3:06 pm
I so loved reading as a child. Perhaps being on a farm books took me to places I could only imagine. Wonderful to see that nurtured for others.
July 19, 2019 at 5:21 pm
I believe you are right. Growing up on the farm, I had more time to read and escape what I thought was boredom.
July 19, 2019 at 10:21 pm
Thanks for sharing, Darlene. Such a great post about the importance of reading.
July 22, 2019 at 6:08 am
Thanks for sharing this….I was blessed with parents that encouraged reading as we did with our daughters. I remember pouring through books as a child…loved reading and to this day in my 60’s I still devour books. it is so important especially in todays world with all of the electronics for children to embrace reading.
July 22, 2019 at 7:14 am
The best thing a parent can do for a child is to encourage reading. It’s such a great start to life. I’m sure you are already reading to your grandchild whenever you visit.
July 23, 2019 at 12:57 am
Along that line Darlene…..our daughter has been big on reading to her children. We were all over it with our granddaughter and now with baby brother. It made my wife and I feel good to see our daughter carry that forward. Our granddaughter is now just over 2.5 and she recognizes words and can tell you what they are. Love it!
July 23, 2019 at 2:48 am
I’m not surprised as you planted that seed a long time ago in your daughter. She is also providing her children with a great start to life.
July 25, 2019 at 4:26 am
Hi Darlene,
For the past couple of weeks we’ve been writing about how we’re simplifying our life – and we invited you to share your thoughts on the subject. The response was wonderful! Thanks so much.
We loved reading your real-life experiences and have included them in our next post with a shout out to you and link to your blog. It will be published next Monday, July 29.
Thanks again. You made our day!
Terri & James @ gallivance.net
July 25, 2019 at 6:03 am
Thank you so much. I look forward to what others had to share as well.
July 19, 2019 at 4:14 am
thanks for sharing such a wonderful post by Jessica!