I Don’t Talk – I Just Write

Here’s something I didn’t consider before I got into this writing business:  As soon as you’ve published something, various groups start wanting you to talk to them.  My first invitation came from one of my sons’ classroom teachers.  What I (terrified!) wanted to say was:  “I don’t talk – I just write.”  What fell out of m mouth instead was, “I’d love to come speak to the class!”  I decided leaving town under cover of night would be a shabby thing to do so I showed up at the appointed time (heart pounding, kneecaps rattling) and I spoke to this highly intimidating audience of fourth-graders.  Dozens of speaking engagements later, I realized that, somewhere along the way, my heart had stopped pounding and my kneecaps had stopped rattling.  I realized that I liked talking about books and writing – two of the most important things in my life.

After I’d spoken at the Edith Wharton Writing Contest awards presentation, held at The Mount, I watched the winners step up to the microphone and read their stories and peoms.  I wondered about the condition of their kneecaps and their hearts.  I wondered if they had considered leaving town under over of night.  What I could see and know was that each read clearly, none faltered, and none fainted.  I suspect, though, that their first reaction, upon learning that writing an award-winning piece meant speaking at the awards event was:  I don’t talk – I just write.

Note:  The photos on this page were taken by Mr. John Seakwood