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| Insecure Writers Support Group Blog Hop |
| #IWSGbloghop |
Our awesome co-hosts for the February 2 posting of the IWSG are Joylene Nowell Butler, Jacqui Murray, Sandra Cox, and Lee Lowery!
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February 2 question - Is there someone who supported or influenced you that perhaps isn't around anymore? Anyone you miss?
My Grandmother, Maw by J.Q. Rose
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| My Grandmother Maw and Grandfather |
Yes, I miss her, Beulah Lee, my mother’s mother. She was a schoolteacher and loved reading and especially loved reading her Bible. She’s the one who pointed out many verses to me and directed me to the Lord’s Prayer in Matthew 6.
We called her Maw, not grandma. She was an intelligent woman who was stubborn as could be. When she made up her mind to do something, she did it and there was no stopping her. She and my father held loud “disagreements” quite a few times.
She wasn’t exactly a warm, cuddly, mushy kind of grandma who made cookies for every visit. But she did love to sew and made several doll outfits on her foot-pedal sewing machine for my beloved Ricky Jr. doll.
We had a special connection and not just because we loved to shop. (When her social security check came in, she cashed it into small bills and stuffed it in her wallet. She delighted in showing me the stack of cash she had for us to go shopping.)
We both were readers. Her reading probably spurred my love of reading which in turn progressed into making up stories for others to read. I began writing little stories when I was in second grade and developed a writer’s bump on my middle finger from writing constantly. (Anyone else get that bump?)
By seventh grade, I decided to tackle writing my first novel. The storyline was about a horse and a girl due to my love of the book, Black Beauty. I wrote the entire book on lined yellow tablet paper and showed it to Maw. Taking those awful scribbles of sentences and typing them into a manuscript became her major project.
Maw's blue eyes sparkled with excitement when she handed me the typed pages. I almost cried. I was overcome when I saw the "type-written manuscript" and so thankful she had “published” my book for me. She got a kick out of my reaction, but she also loved the story and encouraged me to write more stories for more people to enjoy. From that day forward, I knew I wanted to tell stories and have them published so I could share them with readers.
I wish Maw were still here on earth to accompany me on this writing journey. In my heart, I know she is with me, her blue eyes shimmering with love and pride.
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Click here to visit blog hop participants.
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| Dangerous Sanctuary by J.Q. Rose |
💖Little did my loving grandmother know her simple act of typing out that story would result in my creating fiction and non-fiction books and articles.
Thank you so much for stopping by. I'm looking forward to discovering who influenced you to step on the pathway toward your writing journey.
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| Time Out While Staying In by J.Q.Rose |
Click here to pick up a free collection of my short stories only available here.
23 comments:
That is awesome your grandmother was so supportive. And taught you to read your Bible!
That's awesome your grandmother and you shared a love of reading and that she supported you so much when you started writing.
Hi,
You were blessed to have a grandmother that encouraged you. She will always be with you in your heart.
Shalom aleichem,
Pat G @ EverythingMustChange
Your tribute to your maw is wonderful, Janet. Made me teary. She sounds like a beautiful person.
Thanks, Alex.
Thank you, Natalie.
Thank you, Pat.
Thank you, Joylene. Made me teary writing about her...
My grandparents passed before I was published, but I miss them. I think about them when I do research for my historical novels.
It's been interesting to read answers to this month's IWSG. A lot of authors are acknowledging their grandmothers. How special these people are in our lives. Your Maw sounds delightful.
I love how your grandma typed up your story for you, JQ. What a lovely thing to do, and so inspiring. Thanks for sharing!
How wonderful you had such good support from your grandmother. One of my grandmother's was a reader, too. Her gifts were always books.
I never knew my grandfathers. Both gone before I was born. Grandparents bring a richness to a child's life and different ways of seeing the world.
Very special,indeed!
You're welcome. I love talking about Maw.
Books are always welcome gifts to readers. And I love giving them.
Auww, your grandmother sounds very sweet. I'm sure she would be very proud of you!
Thanks, Jean.
What a lovely tribute to your grandmother! I also had one that loved to read her Bible. She taught me to cook and sew. What a blessing in our lives. I'm not sure there are many grandmothers like that around anymore.
What a dear story, sad loss, but happy you had so much time with her. I am touched.
Thank you for sharing these lovely memories of your beloved Maw, JQ. Grandmothers are wonderful and can teach us a great deal. I learned so much from mine. Have a happy February!
What a wonderful memory, Cuz. It warms my heart.
Lovely memories! Thank you for sharing about your Maw.
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