Anyway, it's time for the awesome Origins Blogfest Presented by D.L. Hammonds and co-sponsored byAlex J. Cavanaugh, Matthew MacNish and Katie Mills. Yay!!Now you get to find out just how this maniac crazy dream of being a writer came to me. It's all thanks to a British author and a third grade teacher.
Let's hop into Ye Olde Wayback Machine and part the foggy mists of Time. The year is 1981 and I have just discovered the wonderful world of Narnia. The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis is perhaps the single most influential book on my writing career. I love the total escape into another world and all the fantastical creatures therein.
As I lost myself in Narnia, Calormene, Archenland and the other realms in the tales, I found myself dreaming up my own continuing adventures there. I also started thinking about creating my own kingdoms. It wasn't long before I wanted to show my stuff to my teacher, Mrs. Hall. She introduced me to Mr. Lewis after all. But, she was not the support I thought she'd be.
While Mrs. Hall certainly did not discourage me, she didn't encourage me, either. It was more of a polite "That's nice, dear" vague dismissal along with a "don't you realize how hard it is to be a writer?" I was heartbroken. Another teacher, who wasn't even mine, Mrs. Martello, saw me crying. I showed her my story and she asked me what was wrong. I blubbered out my tale, then she took my story and read it. Afterward,she said the magic words "Don't cry. I think this is a beautiful story. You can be a writer just like C.S. Lewis if you want to. Don't ever let anyone tell you different."
She was my favorite teacher from then on. To this day she is still teaching and encouraging kids. Mrs. Martello, you rock! It's thanks to her and a world called Narnia that I am writing today.
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That teacher was an angel in disguise! I hope you'd had a chance to go back and show her your books.
ReplyDeleteThat is awesome--just goes to show how words of encouragement at a vulnerable time can really stick with a person. I had a similar incident with a 2nd grade teacher who told me I couldn't play matchbox cars with the boys. She even went so far as to give me a jump rope and tell me "This is what little girls play with". Thank god I suck at double dutch, or my world may have been very different.
ReplyDeleteI love Mrs. Martello. Mrs. Hall can go suck it.
ReplyDeleteThree cheers for Mrs. Martello!!
ReplyDeleteOh, and "Ye Olde Wayback Machine"... hilarious. =)
Narnia truly had a way of carrying us away to a wonderful world.
ReplyDeleteI've always said that teachers are special people and it is still being proven to me almost every day. Amazing what a bit of encouragement can do.
ReplyDeleteNarnia was awesome. My favorite was the Earthsea trilogy by Le Guin. All through middle school and high school I had the tradition of rereading them while studying for my finals!
ReplyDeletewe love encouraging teachers. Mine were all evil and bad, and I love when I see the ones who actually do they job the right way.
ReplyDeleteGreat story! Mrs. Martello does rock!
ReplyDeleteWhat a touching story! I wish there were more teachers like yours to encourage children.
ReplyDeleteAW MAN!!!
ReplyDeletewhat a great teacher!
love it!
Great teachers are amazing. I'm so grateful to many of the ones I had for encouraging me.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful story. When real life is not so great what better way is there than to find a place to go like C.S. Lewis created. Refuge in books have always been a safe place to hide. How very lucky you were to have a teacher that cared. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteyes yes yes!!! Hooray for teachers who listen to their students and actually care. Gosh, I wish all of them got that. Hooray for Mrs. Martello! And here you are. Great work~ :o) <3
ReplyDeleteI agree with Alex, Mrs Martello was an angel. Thank goodness people like her are teachers.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing!
I haven't heard that story before from you and I had no clue that Narnia is that influential for you.
ReplyDeleteThe origins of your writing is just as magical as Narnia itself. :)
Thanks for sharing this with us, hon.
Oh, and Mrs. Martello rocks indeed.:)
Hoo-ray for Mrs. Martello! Encouraging one to dream is perhaps the greatest gift a teacher can provide, so long as hard work follows.
ReplyDeleteIt's very interesting how we reflect on our life and trace the beginnings of inspiration. C.S. Lewis is a bounty of imagination. It's no surprise he encouraged you, Mel.
Terrific post :)
Wow, thank goodness for Mrs. Martello! I'm really moved by this story. I hope she reads it.
ReplyDeletexoRobyn
That teacher was a hero. Thanks for sharing your wonderful origins story. :)
ReplyDeleteYour tears are heart-wrenching, Melissa.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Martello to the rescue!
It takes just one seed of kindness to grow a flower.
My own passion began with Mr. Lewis' good friend, professor Tolkien, but otherwise, it a very similar story!
ReplyDeleteHow's that for a side-by-side comparison about how a teacher can effect those they are guiding. You are so lucky that the second teacher took an interest and provided you with the input you needed!
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing that ORIGIN story with us. I wish more teachers could read it. :)
Hooray for your teacher Mrs. Martello! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat story.
Mrs. Martello certainly rocks! would've love to have her as my teacher. :)
ReplyDeleteGreat to meet you through this blogfest!
your newest follower,
Nutschell
www.thewritingnut.com
writers have to keep writing, no matter what others say. hard lesson to learn so young!
ReplyDeletegreat beginning story!
I've read about a few people who were inspired by a good teacher, and one who was put down by a bad one, and now here we have bad cop/good cop in one "origins" story! Glad the good one won out.
ReplyDeleteI loved the whole set of Narnia books. I was only introduced to them when my daughter was about five - a friend encouraged me to read them to Courtney...it was what fired up the imagination and creativity in both of us.
ReplyDeleteI'm glad Mrs. Martello happened by and turned things around for you. What a great Origins story; thanks for sharing it!
Jenny @ Pearson Report
Co-Host of the Blogging from A to Z Challenge.
Twitter: @AprilA2Z
Glad a teacher came along with the right attitude when you needed it, Melissa. I think you're a great writer.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness that second teacher was there!
ReplyDeleteI love the Narnia books too :-)
I love this story i keep on reading again and again! Narnia books too :-)
ReplyDelete