Most writers have dreamt of being authors for a long time. Finding out an author started writing at a very young age happens more often than not, and I think it is important to remember that. In many ways, it is easier for a child to dream of becoming an author or an athlete or a superstar. After all, they might not fully comprehend all of the sacrifices they’ll need to make in order to accomplish their goals, but nevertheless, they dream. They dream and they write and they move forward. In some ways, I think you could say a child is closer to the dream, because they don’t worry about all the what ifs and rules. They just write. Theoretically, I think we can bring back our childhood passion—minus our bills, our lack of time, our adult concerns—and concentrate on just being writers. How? I’ll get to that in a minute.
A few years ago, my family got together on Father’s Day, and my brother and his then-fiancée-now-wife were looking for pictures to use during their wedding. That was when my dad decided to bring up two boxes my late mother left behind. When she was alive, she collected our artwork in boxes for my brother and me to open when we had kids, but we decided to open them up early for my brother’s wedding. It was an amazingly beautiful collection of childhood clothes, art, and pictures.
That’s when I found it: Two books I wrote as a child, which were printed by Crabapple Crossing Book Publishing.
This was a moment that brought me back to that childhood passion before I even knew what publishing was. I was only in the second grade, and yet, I knew I loved writing stories. A little background: “Max & Milo” is about two dogs having a birthday party before they move away and become pen pals with all of their old friends. I found it pretty amusing (but interesting) because I had two dogs at the time. Surprise, they were named Max and Milo. I also moved around a lot as a kid. Strangely enough, this story followed the “write what you know” tip that’s very common for beginner writers. I wish I could say I understood the “show, don’t tell” rule at this age, but I think most of the story was described through the pictures I drew. I’m quite relieved I didn’t attempt to be a sketch artist. I’m super relieved I also learned grammar and how to structure dialogue.
But what is the most encouraging part about looking back on these things?
I’ve achieved the dream I’ve strived for since I was seven, and I continue to do better every day. I now know the “show, don’t tell” rule, along with a couple others, and I hope to add to my craft with every book I read, every sentence I write, and every day I dream.
Here’s to hoping this childhood post inspires others writers to look back on their goals, dreams, and creations to see how long the passion has been there, how far they’ve come, and how they’ll continue to move forward with grace and passion.
Original posted on June 26, 2013.
~SAT
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Shannon A. Thompson 
It actually took me until I was 15 to figure out that I wanted to be an author. But I always knew that I wanted to tell stories. I just never could figure out how to do it. My mom says that she and my dad would listen to me on the baby monitor telling myself stories until I fell asleep. The funny thing is that I still do that.
Haha! That’s great. I love origin stories like that.
~SAT
This is very inspiring Shannon – thanks for sharing your inspirations here. Although I started writing a little later than you, I feel the same passion and commitment. 🙂
That’s great! I most definitely don’t think you have to start early to love it. 🙂 But looking back on that a-ha moment, no matter the time in life, can be fun. 😀
~SAT
Very true. I have those moments every day, so it’s all good. Do you want me to call you SAT? 🙂
Sure! You are welcome to do that. 🙂
~SAT
Cool. 🙂