Whenever I read an amazing book, I immediately google the author.
Although I'm obsessed with the biographies of all writers, I have a special fascination with those of children's authors. I think this is because really good writers for young audiences inhabit this interesting literary space where youthful enthusiasm speaks through elegant, authentic prose. I'm always curious what twists and turns these writers' lives have taken, informing how they've come to write in such a way. And I also like to see if I can glean from their biographies what makes them tick, so to speak. What motivates them? What is especially fascinating to them?
(Can you tell that peoples' life stories fascinate
me?)
My interest with children's book authors has grown along with my daughter's intense love of books. She and I have always enjoyed reading together before bed, although now instead of books by Dr. Seuss and Mercer Mayer, we read young adult books like those of Roald Dahl, Margaret L'Engle and Louisa May Alcott.
(J.K. Rowling is reserved for Dad.)
My daughter and I also share a special affinity for art and mystery, so
Chasing Vermeer, being chock full of both, was a unique pleasure for us. After reading the first few pages together one evening, I went off to do my usual search for the author; in this case, Blue Balliett. Not only did I need to get my biographical fix, I also had to find out if that was her real name. (It is! Apparently she's been called "Blue" since she was little.)
However, you can imagine my particular delight when I found this gem of a quote from her website:
"Many of us have passions that started in childhood – sometimes I think we are who we are right from the beginning. I was a watcher. I loved disappearing into books.... As a kid, I played with words in my head, turning them this way and that as if they had color and sparkle. The puzzle was always to allow words to shine singly yet also fit together in combinations that felt just right.
I’m still working on it."
-Blue Balliett
Not only do I find her personal insight very impressive, I'm even going to take a leap and presume that Ms. Balliett's personal clarity has helped propel her prolific writing career. How could it not?
And what about you? What did you just love (and need) to do as a kid? What passion did you have that you found fascinating?
I hope your answer is: "I'm still working on it."
