The Spark Blogfest

"When I read that the flash came, and I took a sheet of paper. . .and I wrote on it: I, Emily Byrd Starr, do solemnly vow this day that I will climb the Alpine Path and write my name on the scroll of fame." — Emily of New Moon by LM. Montgomery

It's Sparkfest time. I almost forgot or more like the days just crept up on me. Sparkfest is hosted by Christine Tyler and if you'd like to participate you can answer one of three questions and link back to her blog here.

Here are the questions: 

What book made you realize you were doomed to be a writer? 

What author set off that spark of inspiration for your current Work in Progress?

Or, Is there a book or author that changed your world view?

To begin with what sparked me to write I'm going to admit something that might shock some of you. I don't like to write. I have never liked to write. I didn't grow up dreaming about being a famous author.

Are you shocked yet?

But, guess what I do like...no love to do. Read. I love books. I read in the bathroom, in the tub, in bed, in the car, on the couch. I listen to audiobooks while I'm cleaning and making dinner. I. Love. To. Read. 

Here's something else I'm going to admit that might shock you. I thought the author that sparked me to want to write was boring when I was young. I think the same reason that I didn't like that author was the same reason I didn't know I wanted to write. I needed to grow up. Not everyone needs to do this, but I did. Have you guessed who that author might be?

 L.M. Montgomery

 And can you guess what book I actually thought was boring?

I can't believe I thought Anne of Green Gables was boring, but I did and now it's one of my favorite books and L.M. Montgomery is one of my favorite authors. I think I've read every fiction book she's written now including her collections of short stories. Because I loved her books so much I began to study her and what she had to say about writing. Montgomery wrote journals that have been published into five volumes - they are amazing. They read just like her novels, but they give incredible insight into her writing career. 

Montgomery also wrote a book about her writing journey called:

I love the insights she gives on how and when she wrote, the challenges she faced and how she never gave up.

I said before that I don't like to write. I don't. It's hard for me, but to paraphrase Gloria Steinem..."I like to have written." I love to read over something that I wrote and be in awe that those words or phrases or ideas actually came from me. I've lost some of that spark recently. The Alpine path seems too steep right now, but I'm trying to overcome it. Hmm, maybe I need to go back and read what sparked me in the first place.