Last week, Eldest was restless and looking for something to do. I handed him a copy of Chosen, the first in The Lost Books Series. He read it over the course of a few days. Then begged for a trip to the book store to buy the second one.
I got home from work today to find him lounging on the couch fully engrossed in the second book–with only four chapters left to go.
Eldest is severely dyslexic and hates reading. Because it takes him three times longer than the average 11th grader to read a page, he avoids reading at all costs.
He’s also begging for me to buy the next book and the next and the next.
In my eyes, there is no greater accomplishment, no greater reward, than touching the life of a child. When I grow up, I want to be just like Ted. I want to help kids learn to read for pleasure. I want children who otherwise shy away from the written word to hang on every word I write.
Kudos, Mr. Dekker, from the bottom of my heart. I am your number one fan at this moment in time.
What do you want to accomplish as a writer? Is getting published your end goal, or do you have a deeper purpose to your writing journey?
Words from the Woods 
I want people to read, the way your child is reading right now. Deeply, and with that contented sigh at the end that only comes from truly good books.
I’m not there yet, but I’m on my way I hope.
So true. Where they read past bedtime and get grumpy when the book ends because they don’t want to part with their beloved new friends.
You’ll get there!
Cat, I know the feeling. One of my twins is reading the Left Behind series and he can’t get enough! He’s on Book 5 and we’re heading back to our local indie store this weekend. It sure puts a smile on my face, too.
That’s awesome, TK. Nothing is more satisfying than finding a series that enthralls our young readers. I hope someday to be that writer for kids. I want my stories to be such that they encourage the most reluctant reader to head back to the local indie store to read Book 5.
I think you are well on your way to that! BTW, my kindle happily accepted the download of Return the Heart! I’m thinking this will be the next book to encourage Eldest on when he’s through with Dekker. I think the intrigue and history will be right up his alley.
What a wonderful story and question. Thanks for sharing it! I guess I’ve always written because God told me to when I was eight and again every time I’ve asked if He’s sure about it. LOL I’m still not sure WHAT he wants me to write, so I guess I’m not real sure what my end goals are, either. To make God happy, but that’s not specific enough to ground a career, is it? It’s an answer I need to find. Thanks for suggesting I look!
BTW, my father-in-law had me read White, Black and Red (I’m no longer sure of the order, but those three books are in the series) by Dekker and I LOVED them. Was enthralled by Dekker’s recreation of Christianity in much the same way Lewis did, but completely different. Wonderful. I’m not familiar with the series your son read. I’d say this one was for a mature audience, YA or otherwise.
Victoria,
I love his books, and since Eldest is 16, he’s definitely on the edge of reading adult material. If there is any author I can safely turn him onto , but one with incredible stories and great morals, it would be Dekker! I’ll have to read the trilogy you’re talking about. I haven’t done that yet.
In a lot of ways, I feel like you about writing. As if it is almost a mission presented by the talent I was given–er, hope I was given. And since Eldest (and looks like youngest, too) struggles to read, it seems to fit. I’m quite certain your soul searching will lead you to a satisfying set of goals–ones that are already in place and that you just need to conciously solidify.
hugs~
I know many ADULTS who don’t read because they find it boring… so I hope to reach those people with interesting and entertaining stories that will keep them glued to the page as if they were children again! 🙂
Love this response, Barb. May you reach that dream and keep us all young at heart and delighted to find the world around us magical once again!