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Clean Indie Reads March Madness Blog Hop


About two years ago a friends asked me about teaching a writing class at her homeschool co-op I immediately got excited about it for several reasons. I already homeschooled my own kids so I was used to teaching. None of them had caught the writing bug. I love mentoring others in their writing endeavors. This was my opportunity to give back.

I knew I wanted to be a writer when I was 9 years old. I was fortunate enough to have people, mainly my mother, who were there for me all along, giving me opportunities that most young wanna-be writers don’t have.

I entered a poetry contest sponsored by a “nationally acclaimed” publication. I received an honorable mention. Yes, I know now that it was a scam to get money from me, which they didn’t, but it was a huge boost to a young writer’s ego.

Then there were the Arts Festivals at school. I entered the poetry competition there, winning second place one year and third the next.  I was thrilled! Although the judging was blind, I later found out the judge was my mom’s best friend, a professor at Syracuse University. She didn’t know to whom she was writing when she added some very sweet comments to my entry. That same lady gave me a dictionary as a graduation gift when she learned I was going to college to be a writer.

Those poetry awards and that dictionary are treasures I still have today. Because of special people in my life, who in some way mentored me and helped me begin my writing career, that is why I want to so the same.

Think about being a mentor to some young person who wants to follow in your chosen career. I promise, you will be blessed.

Now, on to business. March 16-20 is the Clean Indie Reads March Madness Blog Hop. Follow the links to find some great (and clean) books at discounted rates. You can also fill in the form below to be entered into the giveaway. You can also follow the link to find some other great blogs participating in the Blog Hop.


sweetbloghops.blogspot.com

Comments

  1. Keely Brooke KeithMarch 15, 2015 at 4:47 PM

    Hi Ruth,
    I enjoyed reading about your writing journey.
    Keely

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ruth O'NeilMarch 16, 2015 at 8:21 AM

    Thanks, Keely! Everyone has their own story to tell.

    ReplyDelete
  3. AnonymousMarch 16, 2015 at 6:43 PM

    I enjoyed your post, too! Happy blog hopping!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Melanie D. SnitkerMarch 20, 2015 at 10:23 AM

    Hopping by to say hello! I love the scripture of the day at the top!

    ReplyDelete
  5. SherryGLoagMarch 20, 2015 at 4:57 PM

    What a lovely thing to do, mentoring other children and passing on your enthusiasm for writing. Perhaps one day, at least one of those children will say 'I look back at the time when I was mentored and have wanted to write ever since.'
    Have a great w.end.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Ruth O'NeilMarch 21, 2015 at 1:20 PM

      I hope all the kids I work with can be successful. Of course, if they are, I'll be buying a lot more books!

      Delete

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