Being an author

I want to write young adult or children books.

For the past two days, I've been reading Lois Lowry's Number the Stars, a historical fiction book set in 1943 Nazi-occupied Denmark. It follows a young girls journey of maturation as she discovers what bravery really means when she is forced to make difficult decisions in the name of saving her Jewish best friend Ellen and her family.

I immensely enjoyed this book. The simple, direct language and poignant story struck me as brilliant.

But the most astounding facet of reading was how much I enjoyed reading it. I don't remember the last time I looked forward to reading a book than when I was reading Number the Stars. And looking back on my life, this phenomenon has occurred more when I'm reading non-adult fiction than the literary classics. Paper Towns, Stargirl, and The Wonderful Wizard of Oz are clear examples that spring to mind right now. I was pleased so much by all those books that I've read them numerous times, something I rarely do with the classics (Pride & Prejudice being a clear exception).

I don't know if I'll write young adult and children books for sure; it's not like I can stomp my feet and declare "I'm writing young adult and children books for the rest of my life and I'll be successful and it'll be the most fun job that anyone ever had in the history of having jobs!" Well, I guess I could, but: 1.) it won't necessarily mean I'll be successful, and 2.) it won't mean I'd be happier doing something I've yet to discover. But I've got a good feeling about this plan. I really do. And if I decide this is not what I want to do for the rest of my life, I'll move on as easily as a marble on a greased hardwood floor.