Thirty days of books–Day 7

I’m beginning to lose track of the days, but I’m pretty sure this is day seven of my month long celebration on being a working writer for thirty years. I always wanted to write, but when I moved to Atlanta, GA with my husband and baby, I worked in retail and dreamed of writing. I love fashion, so retail was a good way to enjoy clothes and shoes and all the things that can be bought in a mall. But I wanted to write.

That was always in my head, along with characters who wanted me to tell their stories. When a friend loaned me some historical romance novels, I was hooked. Up until then, I’d read Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys, and some scandalous classic books my mama wouldn’t approve. I’d go to the library as often as possible and buy books when I had the money. Because I grew up on a farm and didn’t hang out much with the town crowd, books became my escape. I had to finish my chores, first, of course. But I had special spots where I’d go and read–in a lush pine forest with a carpet of needles, or by what we called the branch–a small creek running under two different bridges on two different state highways. I lived on a cross-road and I’d go and stand in the middle where they met. My yard ended there, but my dreams went in all four directions. I planned to one day follow all four directions.

Once I reached Atlanta and fell in love with that city, I still bought books and read at night while my husband worked the second shift at the auto plant. But I had so much to learn. I had a typewriter my parents had given me for Christmas when I was in high school. I dragged it out and tried to write, but it was a hot mess. No one believed my dream, of course. Not even me. I was a nasal-sounding, drawling country girl who talked like a hick and acted even worse. But I kept that dream in my head. I’d tell stories to my nieces and nephews in an around the campfire way. But how could I get a book published? That’s a story for another day. Along with the story of the day I got the ‘call.’

Yesterday’s winner is Sally Joe Pitts. Sally, I will get your prize out soon! Thanks for commenting, and PM me with mailing details!

Today’s Book 7 to put in someone’s hands is:

Because why not have a little Christmas all year long?