The Post With Faith Trust and Pixie Dust.

The passage in my writer's devotional for Saturday's is all about books every writer needs to read. Now, I believe that each writer has and should have their own list of titles that influenced them. So, for this day that is what I'm going to write about; incredible books that influenced me to become a writer. Put them on your list if you haven't already read them because they are worth it.

I'd like to start with the book that changed my life. It introduced me to reading on a whole new level, it was one of the first books I read from start to finish that was an actual book and not a step by step reader. It was J. M. Barrie's Peter Pan (or Peter Pan and Wendy depending on the version). I have six different versions of this book sitting on my shelf and I love every single one.

"The moment you doubt whether you can fly, you cease for ever to be able to do it" -- J.M. Barrie

I remember the very day I received this book, I was in Mr. Hudson's third grade class. I was the motor mouth. Restless and a bit bored during reading time, I was constantly getting in trouble for talking and distracting the student's around me. Until one day before required reading time started Mr. Hudson called me up to the class. Naturally I thought I had done something wrong and was going to get into major trouble, he only called the really bad kids to his desk. I stood with my chin in the air and walked stiffly to the front of the room, much like a man being escorted to his timely demise. He sits me down and says "Now I know you are a ball of energy and I do enjoy how active you are in group discussions however reading time is quite time. Now, I know you are a good reader why don't you want to read your books like everyone else?" I looked him straight in the face and told him, "Mr. Hudson sir, I've read every single one of those books you got there." I had been reading a lot of Junie B. Jones books at the time and had taken to talking like her. He gave me a look because he was well aware I had adapted this little habbit. He pulled a book from the drawer in his desk and hands it to me. "Try this he says. It's something you've never read before." The book was Peter Pan.

I read it from front to back. And I have loved it ever since. The story is incredible and the writing is classic. It's one of those books that should be standard in anyone's library. It doesn't evoke change or social justice but it does make you think. I fell like creativity is the most important aspect of any writing from fiction to biography to nature writing. If you can't add a creative perspective then what makes it different from "all those other books you got there"? 

On that note I will end with my favorite quote from the entire book:

'"Wendy," Peter Pan continued in a voice that no woman has ever yet been able to resist, "Wendy, on girl is more use than twenty boys." -- Peter Pan