Many years ago, I lived in Dublin, and I had dreams of being a writer…someday. I was in a pub, and my date went off to buy us a couple of “jars,” when an old gentleman sauntered over to our table and stood in front of me holding his “pint.”
“Ah sure, but it must be grand to be a student,” he said, in the Irish way of asking a question, without asking a question.
“Oh, I’m not a student!” I replied in typical American, nothing-is-a-secret fashion. “I’m a writer. Well, I’m not a real writer. I haven’t had anything published.”
This old guy (who was probably much younger than I am now!), took a long pull off his pint, and looked me squarely in the eyes. His eyes were a very dark brown, his hair was very black, streaked with a little gray, and a lock of it hung over one eyebrow. I will never forget the intensity of his stare.
“Ah sure,” he said, “if you WANT to be a writer, you ARE a writer. You have the SOUL of writer…”
Then he sauntered away. I held onto his words for ten long years, until I finally wrote my first novel. And I have held onto his words for all of my writing and editing career to this very day, to this very spring, some 40 years later.
He was right. I do have the soul of a writer, and whenever I see the promise of words on a page–whether they are my own, or another writer’s–I feel such a lift in my spirit, such a surge of joy.
It makes my heart soar, the same way I feel when I see cherry blossoms, lilacs, Easter lilies, daffodils, tulips, and all the glorious flowers of spring!
It is the promise of being a writer.
So “Write On!” everyone. And, happy spring!
Vicki Weiland, WNBA Hospitality Chair
I love this little story! Amazing how a casual comment would inspire you for years to come.
Ah, I love the Dubs!
Vicki,
What a beautiful story. You said so much in so little space, but then that’s what good writing is all about – so now you’re a teacher, too, my friend.