Will You Shelve Your Own Book One Day?

I was very kindly asked this afternoon to include a baby picture in the slideshow at Evening of Recognition, an event to acknowledge all of our outgoing fourth graders.  It is my second favorite school activity to attend because I like crying in public about nostalgia.  (My favorite activity is of course the Variety Show where I get to cry in public about the pride I hold for all of my brave and talented students.)  In my search, I came across this picture on Facebook where it was posted by my mom a couple of years ago and I love it? When you're a reader, anywhere looks like a good place to crack a book. It's not good for the slideshow, you can't really see my face, although my baby hair flyaways might give me away.  I still wanted to share it.  I have always loved books, it reminds me.  I apparently at one point in my life did not despise laundry baskets.  

Last May, I read an interview Greg James did about his upcoming children’s book, “Kid Normal”. And when asked what his number one tip for someone wanting to become a writer would be, he answered, “Just get going.”  So, I will be. Beginning in September, I am very proud to be included in the Creative Writing Fiction M.F.A. Program at Columbia College Chicago. It’s where I hope to title the book  in this picture and fill the pages with all the words of a story that so far is only found inside of me. And as for the sweatshirt, well, back in the summer while visiting the campus, I almost bought one. It has a hot dog on it after all. But I got a magazine instead and went to sit with it across the street in Grant Park where I listened to Kesha sing over and over again about realizing life is short. And I so badly hoped that wanting it hadn’t jinxed something. It meaning the sweatshirt, and the acceptance and the buzzy way it felt on Michigan Avenue during an afternoon in Augu...