A year ago this week, I celebrated the magic of children’s stories in a blog post, “Writing Wisdom of Children’s Books.” I shared how reading to my kids was the one constant in our family’s evening routine…how it gave us (parent and child) a chance to lose ourselves in the worlds of Narnia, Hogwarts, Whoville and the Hundred-Acre Wood.
That storytelling tradition planted a seed for a book that I am in the final stages of completing: Bedtime Stories: A Memoir Celebrating Storytelling and Childhood. Told alternately through my eyes and those of my kids, the book takes readers through our storytelling experience. Every story’s imagery and characters jump to life from the page through the imaginations of my son and daughter. At the end of each chapter, I reminisce about what sparked my own childhood imagination and shaped me growing up in the Midwest with my parents, two brothers and sister.
In writing this manuscript, I’ve become an astute observer of my kids’ view of the world and especially of their play time. It’s made me want to capture their spontaneity and their perspective in ways that I never would have if I wasn’t writing a family memoir. I often scribble down something they say or do on a napkin or anything I can find. It’s inspiring how stories can be a force for creativity in their lives.
I began writing Bedtime Stories earlier this year during a writers’ class. Beginning this Friday, The Writing Well will feature a guest blog post from a member of my writers’ group. These eclectic aspiring authors came together for eight weeks to share their own writing journeys. They love language, unforgettable characters, and above all, a good story. I’m glad they’ll be represented on my blog this month.
I look forward to reading Bedtime Stories: A Memoir Celebrating Storytelling and Childhood!
My parents read to me, and I learned to read by reading favorite bedtime stories. I think it is neat you wrote this book with your kids.
It’s been a labor of love — thanks for the comments.
Bedtime stories were always a part of my childhood, too. Its nice to see the thoughts behind your memoir. I’m excited to read it when it comes out.
Anne,
Good to be reading you during Blogathon again!
I have wonderful memories of being read to as a child, then being encouraged to read on my own as I grew older. It’s what led in no small part to me becoming a literary translator and writer!
What a gift you are giving your children with this book; I’m sure they’ll cherish it forever. (As will many other readers!)
Lisa and Katie,
My children are excited about the book and lobby me for their favorite books to be included. My hope is they’ll share it with their kids one day. I appreciate your support!
This book is truly inspiring. I share the feeling that when we observe our kids closely and try to see things from their perspective, we will discover something different. This is what we adult need to learn, not only in storytelling but also in our journey of partenting. I really like what you said “stories can be a force for creativity”.