IWSG is a writers’ support group created and led by Alex J. Cavanaugh.
At IWSG, we believe in the power of sharing and encouragement. Writers of all levels and genres can express their doubts and concerns without fear of judgment. Our community is a haven for all insecure writers!
This group is an immense help to many of us, as we are willing to share our insecurities and successes or offer encouragement and support to others.
So, if you’re a writer seeking a supportive community, IWSG is the place for you. Join us and experience the benefits of sharing your journey with like-minded individuals. The link below will lead you directly to us.
https://www.insecurewriterssupportgroup.com/p/iwsg-sign-up.htm
Our Twitter handle is @TheIWSG, and the hashtag is #IWSG.
The awesome co-hosts for the June 4 posting of the IWSG are PJ Colando, Pat Garcia, Kim Lajevardi, Melisa Maygrove, and Jean Davis!
SOMETIME IN MY THIRD YEAR
I don’t remember exactly when, but sometime during my third year, I became obsessed with reading. I don’t know if this is entirely factual, but the letters of the alphabet and their shapes fascinated me, and all the adults started avoiding me as much as possible because I wanted them to read to me. What I didn’t know at that young age was that very few of them could read or write, and so whatever book I chose, they read as a figment of their imagination and what they thought the word might be.
However, my grandfather on my mother’s side could read. He was the only one who could, and it was he who taught me how to read the Bible. When I entered the first grade at the age of five, Mrs. Tyndale, my first-grade teacher, who was married to a Pastor, took over from there. I left her class reading real books, including Dr. Seuss and Catch-22, of which I still have my paperback version, as well as many others.
Have a lovely month of June, and I hope it is warm in whatever region you’re living in. Be safe.
Shalom shalom
Pat Garcia
Your grandfather started you off with the right book! He gave you an amazing gift.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting today!
Hi Alex, Yes, he did. That still is my greatest gift, even though I had and still have lots of questions, I love reading the Bible. I lose myself in it.
DeleteShalom shalom
I'm with you! It really only takes one good book to set you on fire, eh? I remember that switching point and from there on out I'd horde books to consume each summer as soon as school was out. If only life was that simple again and we could just binge our first loves, eh?
ReplyDeleteYou're right. I believe learning how to read when I was so young was a pivotal step in my life.
DeleteShalom shalom
Happy IWSG Day! Thanks for co-hosting this month.
ReplyDeleteI'm amazed by how many people today are functional illiterates (I hope that's the correct term), but I do understand it. It's sad that not everyone gets the same access to books and education. I'm glad your grandfather started you on a path that you've continued.
Hi Toi, I don't know how many people are functional illiterate but I believe the number is much higher than people who can read, and that is sad.
DeleteShalom shalom
I loved Dr. Seuss as a kid too. My parents signed me up for a book club where one was mailed to me every month.
ReplyDeleteAs a kid, I always wanted to be a part of a book club but my parents couldn't afford it. My best hang out was the library.
DeleteShalom shalom
So many people take literacy for granted. I'm glad your grandfather was able to teach you. Thanks for co-hosting!
ReplyDeleteSo true, Melissa. Many people in the western countries don't realize that we have a problem with people not knowing how to read. They just assumed that everybody can read and that is not true.
DeleteShalom shalom
Wow! I'm impressed you could read those books after 1st grade. Wonderful. Thank you for co-hosting this month Pat!
ReplyDeleteHi Cathrina, to be honest, I didn't think that was an accomplishement because I had a hunger to read. It was only as I started climbing the ladder in high school that I began to notice it through my classroom tests. At that time I just felt like, if I could read it, I could do it.
DeleteShalom shalom
Thanks for co-hosting this month, Pat. Amazing how we writers have such similar paths to publication. Hive mind?
ReplyDeleteI wonder about that too Nancy. I don't know if it is Hive mind or just the desire to store as much as we can in our minds and give it back out.
DeleteShalom shalom
Thanks for co-hosting, Pat. Aren't we lucky to have such forward-thinking parents!! Imagination is a wonderful thing!
ReplyDeleteI've never been read to but I guess this could prompt the love of reading for any child. School too with their libraries and books. Thanks for co-hosting ISWG.
ReplyDeleteHave a lovely day.
Catch-22 in first grade?! Wow, that's really advanced.
ReplyDeleteI forget how not so long ago, many more people were illiterate. Modern literacy rates are yet another thing to be grateful for.
Happy IWSG Day, and thanks for co-hosting!
I was also book-obsessed from an early age. I think my mother taught me to read so she could get back the time to read for herself instead of reading to me 24 hours a day :-) @samanthabwriter from
ReplyDeleteBalancing Act
The weather is great. Thanks for asking.
ReplyDeleteOnce I found books, my life changed for the better. 'nough said. hehehe
Anna from elements of emaginette
That's amazing how you fell in love with books and reading. It's great that your family members made up stories, based on the title and pictures, no doubt. And, how wonderful that you became a strong reader and writer. Thanks for co-hosting IWSG this month!
ReplyDeleteThat's an interesting mix - Dr Seuss and Catch-22. :D Thanks for cohosting today!
ReplyDeleteReading is a joy. I remember the first time a book captured me. Thank you for co-hosting IWSG this month!
ReplyDeleteHi Pat,
ReplyDeleteYour introduction into books is inspiring. You have an extraordinary past. So often your stories cause me to reflect on the basic inequality in life. Heartbreaking. I'm grateful you have established a rewarding life in Germany.
I read *Catch 22* and *Slaughter House Five* in high school. I seem to always associate those two books for some reason.
ReplyDeleteThanks for co-hosting this month.
That's quite a journey between Dr. Seuss and Catch-22.
ReplyDeletehttps://substack.com/home/post/p-164762814
It was, Lee, but I didn't notice the difference, and Mrs. Tyndale didn't tell there was a wide gap between the books. She just said she wanted to measure my reading for her upcoming classes.
DeleteShalom shalom
What a beautiful story about how you learned to read, Pat. I loved Dr. Seuss too, and it was one of the first I read after I learned to read in first grade too. I've never read Catch 22--it's amazing that you still have that copy!
ReplyDeleteWow - you were a precocious reader, Pat! Thnaks for co-hosting.
ReplyDeleteYes, I was a precocious reader, but I didn't recognize that trait in me. I only knew that the scribble in any book that I could get my hands on was something I wanted to read.
DeleteShalom shalom
Thanks for co-hosting! Sounds like you found your love of reading at a good age.
ReplyDeleteYes, I did and I consider the gift of reading, the best gift that I received. Reading is a deep joy for me.
DeleteShalom shalom
Thanks so much for co-hosting, Pat! That is sweet that family members would make up stories to satisfy your desire to be read to, even if they didn't know how to read. I suspect many of us writers were big readers as children.
ReplyDeleteYou can never go wrong with Dr. Seuss.
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