I have a friend, Bob Poczik, who has had a number of articles printed in the My View column. Luckily for me, since I’ve started submitting articles to the same column, I’ve been able to match him in published pieces. This has turned out to be a friendly competition — and I say “friendly” because I so admire Bob and his writing talent. Naturally, I’m hoping he feels the same way about me.
Marge McMillen, of East Amherst, cherishes the world of print.
Writing has been a hobby of mine since I was a very young woman. Even if it doesn’t get published, I get a feeling of accomplishment when I’ve finished a note, a letter, an article, or a book. (Yes, I’ve written and self-published six novels — what a joy!)
As a young girl, I would write letters to my friends and relatives. As an aside for you young folks, this is the way we communicated in the old days since long-distance phone calls were used only for momentous happenings, like the death of a loved one.
People are also reading…
I was pleased to find that most of those who received and read my epistles would reward me with compliments on my writing ability. What a happy feeling of self-satisfaction I would enjoy when I received these gifts of praise. This would be an impetus for me to write even more.
Friends and relatives laud me for what they see as an extraordinary talent, and I feel humbled by these remarks since all I really do is write down what I am feeling. Anyone can do that, can’t they? It really doesn’t take a special talent. Those reading this, could certainly do the same thing.
Just give it a try. Think of something you feel really fervent about and jot these feelings down, and there you have it, an article you have authored.
Writing is just a physical act of putting your inner feelings on paper for all to see. And how lucky we are that there are people who are willing to do this. Think of what a dull dry world this would be if we weren’t able to read or write, and therefore lose the ability to know how others were viewing the world, or for that matter, even share an opinion on a subject we care a great deal about.
Once, the only means of communication was the physical act of writing. And even today, when we do have radio, television, cell phones and the internet, there is something about the printed or written word that means so much. Yes, I enjoy the convenience of using technology to access important information, but as far as I‘m concerned, nothing can compare to reading about it.
And, of course, what a loss it would be if we didn’t have books — fiction or nonfiction. We readers are transported to other worlds by simply reading words that authors share with us. What a joy to imagine oneself on the moon or in outer space, even though we know we will never physically be able to take such a trip. Or living with lions and tigers in Africa, a continent we may never get to visit in real life.
Or sharing the loves and losses of fictional characters, or sailing a boat, or flying a plane, or… Yes, there are a myriad of readable subjects that one can pick and choose that then magically become a part of our lives.
For me, the written word rules supreme.