Many years ago, my Mom was the one that introduced me to reading. As first, she read to me. Then I was schooled and enjoying the time, I began to read to her. Soon I was discovering many things to read and that just led to more.
Sure enough, I got my "Youth" Chicago Library Card as soon as I could. Also, it was across on busy (but traffic controlled) street and 3 residential lanes. I was biking there by the time I was 8. My "every two week trip to the library," became a habit. Summer reading lists were read and exceeded. My reading scores were grades ahead of my actual standing.
I remember complaining that I pretty much had read all I wanted to in the Youth section and wanted my Young Adult card. Back then you had to be 12, 16 to get the coveted Adult Card. My mother went with me just before my 12th birthday. She successfully argued my case and -- at one-day-short of my 12th birthday - I had an ADULT card!!
Needless to say, while the rest of my academics did not equal my reading scores, it was the ability to read, understand and remember that was what got me through. In school, I actually read my textbooks and was often finished before Winter Break. My retention was great so a study was a quick re-read through the night before a test and I'd do just fine.
Never thought I'd write, but it kind of became inevitable. It took me years to deny before I filled my first Big Chief yellow pad with the beginnings of STARSHOT. That led me to write WolfPointe, which helped get Starshot published as well. Now I bang away on the next (Motherboard?). All because of my Mom.
My Mom never saw my first novel, she passed in 1987. When WolPointe came to print, I decided I needed to drop a copy at her gravesite. That was 2004. Since then, with the release of Starshot, another trip was planned. On Thursday, July 18, 2019, I visited once more.
I miss you both Mon & Dad. Mom, I know where the copy goes, because I know you are reading every word.
Sure enough, I got my "Youth" Chicago Library Card as soon as I could. Also, it was across on busy (but traffic controlled) street and 3 residential lanes. I was biking there by the time I was 8. My "every two week trip to the library," became a habit. Summer reading lists were read and exceeded. My reading scores were grades ahead of my actual standing.
I remember complaining that I pretty much had read all I wanted to in the Youth section and wanted my Young Adult card. Back then you had to be 12, 16 to get the coveted Adult Card. My mother went with me just before my 12th birthday. She successfully argued my case and -- at one-day-short of my 12th birthday - I had an ADULT card!!
Needless to say, while the rest of my academics did not equal my reading scores, it was the ability to read, understand and remember that was what got me through. In school, I actually read my textbooks and was often finished before Winter Break. My retention was great so a study was a quick re-read through the night before a test and I'd do just fine.
Never thought I'd write, but it kind of became inevitable. It took me years to deny before I filled my first Big Chief yellow pad with the beginnings of STARSHOT. That led me to write WolfPointe, which helped get Starshot published as well. Now I bang away on the next (Motherboard?). All because of my Mom.
My Mom never saw my first novel, she passed in 1987. When WolPointe came to print, I decided I needed to drop a copy at her gravesite. That was 2004. Since then, with the release of Starshot, another trip was planned. On Thursday, July 18, 2019, I visited once more.
I miss you both Mon & Dad. Mom, I know where the copy goes, because I know you are reading every word.
