Just Thinking

When I was younger, I used to love this Canadian show, "Instant Star" (by the creators of the epic "Degrassi" series). It was about a girl named Jude. And, like the title suggests, she became an instant star by winning the local Idol-like contest "Instant Star" at only fifteen years old.

In the first season, naturally, her music was more personal and from the heart. And I'll never forget one line of lyrics that remains in my head to this day (some six years later): "I'm only human and I've got something to say."

I'll never forget those words. If I had to sum up why I write, using someone else's words, those would be the words I would choose. I write, because I have something to say.

And that begs the question: why do you write? Have you ever even thought about it? The reason I ask is because I want to know, in words right out of everyone's mouth (or fingertips, as the case may be), why they write. Is it something you merely decided to do on a whim? Or is it something so integral to your life that you couldn't stop doing it, even if you wanted to?

Anyways, that was all I was thinking. At the moment, at least.

Who is your Agatha Christie?

Me? I constantly read Agatha Christie novels. My mother was who put me onto them. At first, my teachers were weary of it, as the books tend to be a bit advanced for a kid from Alabama. But, do you know what happened? My sixth grade teacher moved up to seventh grade, so I had her for reading that year again. When she tested my reading, after having read Ms. Christie's extraordinary collection of suspense for the past year, she was startled by something. I went from having a 9th grade reading level (considered slightly better than average for an 11-year-old) to having a college-age reading level. I had the highest score in the school.

So, what's my point in all of this? Though it may seem the contrary, it's not to brag. My point is that what we read growing up really shapes us. Not only does it expand our vocabularies, but it also serves to frame our tastes and our literary standards. And, if we're lucky, it feeds our passion to learn to be better writers.

I definitely count Agatha Christie among the authors who has made me a better writer. She's really high up there on that list. And I want you to think and tell me: who is your Agatha Christie? Who did you read growing up (or even as an adult) that made you become a better writer while they held you in thrall with their words?

Whoever that person is, it's time to revisit them. That's exactly what I've done. I just finished reading The Affair at Styles day before yesterday and now I'm about to finish The Secret Adversary. And, do you know what? I'm more in thrall now than I ever was before. I appreciate her writing so much more now than I did when I was younger; I had so much admiration for her then that I wouldn't have thought that possible, but there it is. To this day, her writing captivates me the way it has always done, and I'm in awe of that lady's accomplishments. Truly, she was a mind that I wish I had known; though she's long dead, her books survive and allow us to peep into her brain in a very entertaining way.

So, I ask you again, who is your Agatha Christie?