One of my early memories about writing comes from a day in a writing classroom where our teacher paced back and forth.
"Passion," he shouted. "I want passion in your writing." He banged his fist on a classmate's desk and I was grateful that my seat was in one of the middle rows.
"Don't you understand?" The teacher's voice was still loud. "You have to make me care about your words."
Our blank ten-year-old faces starred back at him.
"Okay fine, just write about what makes you happy." He sat down at his desk and took out a newspaper.
I quickly put pencil to paper and wrote five pages about the puppy I'd just received as an early birthday present. When I got my essay back the teacher's note said, "Nicely written, hope the dog doesn't eat all your shoes. Work on structure and spelling."
My spelling has improved since the paper about the puppy and my teacher's advice about passion stays with me. I'm always working on better structure and how to improve my writing skills so that my readers care about the words I put on the page. I discovered RWA and the Inland Empire Chapter in 2006 and am so grateful for the support and encouragement I get from my fellow chapter members and the national office. It's a joy to write when so many people believe in what you do and help you get the resources you need to do it well.
My work has appeared in Wire Harp, eWag, Auntie's Notes, Inland NW Homes & Living and Rita Golden Gelman's Collection Female Nomad and Friends: Tales of Breaking Free and Breaking Bread around the world, published by Three River Press (a division of Random House) in June of 2010. I also blog weekly for the literary blog Bark.
I live with my husband and a dog (who does not chew on shoes) of undeterminable breed north of Spokane. When I am not writing, I enjoy hiking, camping, bicycling, diving, and reading.
To find out more about me and read samples of my writing, visit my web site www.asamariabradley.com or email me at asa@asamariabradley.com.
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