How often do personal impressions, quips, quotes, and poignant reflections were in place giving better rhyme to reasonable interpretation? My first encounter with how words could be interpreted with meaning in the opening statement was through books, and how pen and paper were part of the process. It all began with a question mark, and continues today as an exclamation point! I asked myself, after reading as much as I did how could I live within the very pages I was reading? I became the very epitome of the legendary Walter Mitty syndrome, the fictional character in author James Thurber’s seminal novel, ‘The Secret Life of Walter Mitty’ based on an imaginary daydreamer. Albeit, I certainly cannot remember the very first book I ever read, nor can I recall how many, but I do profess to have had an on-going love affair for  the written word. Both reading and writing are staples that I cannot separate for any degree of importance one over the other. In my world they are synonymous for any degree of accomplished value. I’m a wordsmith, an author with a vivid imagination and a proclivity to tell a good story, read one and give details on dramatic effects. What prompted me to write about my life of being an avid reader, a student of letters, and eventually becoming  a literary enthusiast stemmed from my penchant for libraries. They were my second home. From time to time over the years people have asked me how and why I’ve accumulated so many books harbored in my personal library, and why has it been so important for me to articulate through my writing. Thus, I’ve decided to tell my story via the essay you’re now reading, with this being the first of several installments as I tell it. Ultimately, it was easy for me to say, “I’d rather be writing!”

       It all started when I was quite young. The librarian at the elementary school I attended noticed how much time I was spending in the school’s library and gave me all sorts of incitement on the importance of reading to establish my core knowledge. They were valuable lessons that never left me. The many virtues of reading further increased my passion. Mrs. Kimbro was her name, the venerated head librarian at Douglass Elementary School in the historic Overtown section of Miami. She was indeed special, for she instilled in me a profound respect for not only books, but the idea of researching information for future reference. In turn the need to know served and educated me throughout my life. I don’t have a problem telling people that reading is fundamental. It’s the basic fabric that weaves my soul and invigorates may mind for ties that bind. We as individuals are stimulated by many things and influenced by circumstances relative to expire purpose central to certain nuances…and today, we still wonder why Johnny can’t read, or won’t read. Too many young people are missing out on the pleasures and opportunities that come with holding books in their hands exploring their contents. As an inquisitive child thirsting for knowledge, Mrs. Kimbro constantly challenged me to understand what I read long after I left her school. That generation of adult authority back in the day was ever so supportive of curricular advancement of any child they felt needed instruction; not like today where you have an indifferent and lack of discipline found both in homes, schools and in disenfranchised communities. Mrs. Kimbro truly cared, and I’m a product of her astute tutelage. I can truly attest to the fact that it often comes down to a lack of interest, and for others it’s a lack of ability. Let me focus on the two. The former has more to do with a lack of priority to endow oneself positioned to learn with any means necessary, and more often than not it's through books.

     I call it a need to sharpen the mind for prominence with a purpose; the latter is more profound, for it boils down to not having the ability to inseminate knowledge, and understanding what the brain is supposed to do — process information allowing learning curves to come full circle reaping what is sown. In many academic arenas it’s called cognitive dissonance. Total cognition in any form will require the need and want to explore different ways of learning, where it would fuel the wherewithal to be the best one can be BECAUSE they steadfastly persevered. Nevertheless, lack of ability is of my greatest concern because ultimately it goes back to the genesis of the problem: what is done in the midst of a child’s development? Are parents doing all they can’t to expose them to books…are schools providing the best core curriculum of inclusion for more reading, and even more writing prompts? I’m concerned too, about the lack of ability pertaining to children not having access to the infrastructure that perpetuate reading where intrinsic interest would be a catalyst to engage. I care, and have no problem embellishing why reading and writing is par for any course in literary lore. I endeavor to help aspiring and veteran writers to learn the craft for articulation and expensive value. I’m an Editor because I feel that grammatical fortitude is essential beyond measure, and to articulate the mantra that writing is much more than words. It’s expressionism enhancing imagery and fueling ways to illustrate point of contention.

       Yes, I’d most rather be writing! As you read this passage, I’m continuing formulating ways and means accomplishing this goal of mine and others. I’ve alway wanted to cultivate establishing some sort of a viable literary society dedicated to enhancing the joys of reading, and the ability to write efficiently. Book clubs are an excellent medium to embellish the essence of it all. I often think back to other selected instances of my past where reading spared me the pain of being lost in darkness for opportunities to continue reading and writing. As early as I can remember, I liken it to my dawn of awareness. Without me writing and reading life would be akin to null and void!