Today (Saturday, August 10, 2013) I had the opportunity to
listen to one of my favorite authors, Amanda Kyle-Williams, talk about writing
and how she got started. I have read many things about Amanda and I have talked
with her through social media, but hearing her speak this afternoon gave me a
new insight into her life…and my own.
Amanda started out thanking libraries, library staff, and
friends of the library for what they give to the community. She explained that
the first book she read was in a library at the age of twenty-three. She told us that she had not read before then
because she had to work through dyslexia. When she approached the librarian,
she asked where she should start. The librarian recommended “Pride and
Prejudice” by Jane Austen. Wow! Now that
is quite a book with which to have a new reader start. I’m glad it didn’t make
her give up! Instead it inspired her to read more and to begin writing.
Amanda told us about sitting alone in a corner of the
library and working on reading. She said that people called her slow and stupid
and she didn’t want anyone to see her reading slowly. She explained that the
best way she can read is to follow along the words with her fingers. She didn’t
want anyone to see her struggling and have to face the embarrassment of feeling
stupid or slow. What shocked me is that people call others slow who follow the
words with their fingers. I’m always surprised by how mean and insensitive
people can be to others…although I shouldn’t be since I have faced some of that
kind of judgment myself. Over the years, Amanda has continued to go to the
library. It has become a safe place for her. We all need that place where we
can go that we know will always be safe. I’m glad the library can be that place
for Amanda.
Amanda continued to talk about her character development,
her setting, and how she came up with the ideas for her books. She gave
wonderful advice to new writers. She talked about how she didn’t start working
as a full-time writer until 2010 (later in life). When she was talking about
how she came up with her first book (published by Random House), she talked
about seeing her niece and how a creepy tow truck driver influenced her characters
and the story line. She said, “you never know what the universe will hand you.”
She told us to let our world around us influence our writing. Tonight I’m following
that advice in this blog entry.
As I listened to Amanda’s story tonight, I was inspired to
keep pursing my goals. I’ve heard people tell me to never give up and that age
doesn’t matter but I think Amanda’s story of perseverance is what changed all
that advice for me. As I endeavor to continue to read/review books and to start
my chain maille jewelry business, I have to remember that my lupus does not
have to hold me back. I still need to work on my self-confidence and my
self-motivation, but I can achieve my goals.
I knew Amanda was an incredibly talented writer but I had no
idea that she writes through some frustrating challenges. It is an inspiration
for me. If a writer can write despite having a learning disability concerning
words and reading, I can work through lupus. I can...and I will…continue to
reach my goals. I will persevere. I know Amanda was not talking directly to me
this afternoon but it hit home like she was talking directly to me. I’m sure she didn’t write that speech with the
intention of changing a life but she changed mine. It will be something that
stays with me forever…don’t let your disability hold you back and “never, ever
give up on your dreams,” as Amanda said at the end of her speech.
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