I have always loved storytelling and performance art. As a child, I often entertained myself and others by making up stories or crafting dialogue for my friends or my toys. Like many children, I had a wildly active imagination and a robust inner life. There was a special kind of magic in creating my own little worlds. These were worlds where I was in charge, a power I especially loved!
At around age 8, I was convinced that I would become a famous actress or movie star or perhaps a child model. I penned letters to TV shows and modeling agencies, offering up my talents or girl-next-door good looks. LOL! These efforts were always great fodder for my brothers, who were never in short supply of ammunition for teasing their kid sister!
In my early school years, I was an easy favorite among my teachers. Eager to read, write, and advance my vocabulary, I was often described as “a joy to teach.” As I got older, I continued to excel academically, though my rebellious nature sapped much of the joy from the adults in my life. My fierce independence, along with my stubborn and free-spirited nature, made me a relentless rule breaker and boundary tester.
I have always loved storytelling and performance art. As a child, I often entertained myself and others by making up stories or crafting dialogue for my friends or my toys. Like many children, I had a wildly active imagination and a robust inner life. There was a special kind of magic in creating my own little worlds. These were worlds where I was in charge, a power I especially loved!
At around age 8, I was convinced that I would become a famous actress or movie star or perhaps a child model. I penned letters to TV shows and modeling agencies, offering up my talents or girl-next-door good looks. LOL! These efforts were always great fodder for my brothers, who were never in short supply of ammunition for teasing their kid sister!
In my early school years, I was an easy favorite among my teachers. Eager to read, write, and advance my vocabulary, I was often described as “a joy to teach.” As I got older, I continued to excel academically, though my rebellious nature sapped much of the joy from the adults in my life. My fierce independence, along with my stubborn and free-spirited nature, made me a relentless rule breaker and boundary tester.
Despite my defiant behavior, some teachers were still able to see the best in me. My fifth grade Language Arts teacher, Mrs. Crouch, stands out in particular. She was passionate about creative writing and loved reading my work. In giant red letters, she would sprawl a litany of superlatives across my work. “You have a book in you,” she would always say. My family was also very supportive of my writing. My father appreciated one essay so much that he brought it to work and handed out copies to all his co-workers. (It should be noted that he was prominently featured as the hero in the story.)
More decades than I’d like admit have passed since my formative years…since I sat in that 5th-grade classroom with Mrs. Crouch…or since my father handed out my essays, but my passion for writing and creativity remains strong to this day. I’m glad to say that no matter what I am up to, I have never lost that spark of creativity and desire to follow my imagination, wherever it may lead!
