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A writing challenge from D. Wallace Peach

1/16/2022

40 Comments

 
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Hello blog friends! A colleague and writer friend, D. Wallace Peach, posted a challenge for writers to submit a poem or story about their To-Be-Read pile. If you are like me, that list is huge. Part of my problem is that I have eclectic ​interests and if I'm reading a story that involves an historical event or a medical conern, I'll pause and research the topic. 

When I was just a kid, the library was my favorite spot. We didn't have many books on the farm, just the Bible and an Atlas. But I learned to dream with just these two. Then one day, a relative brought us a box of Nancy Drew books. These mysteries absolutely captivated me and stirred my interest in reading and writing. 

As for my TBR, I suspect it will always be a long list. How could it not? 

Here's my simple Tanka response to the writing challenge. 
​
adventures stand by

awaiting my acceptance

some frightful some not

all travel to worlds unknown
​

where dreams fly and I with them

I hope you have a wonderful week traveling the pages of your favorite books. 
40 Comments
Diana Peach link
1/16/2022 09:26:05

Thanks for the beautiful tanka, Gwen. And what a wonderful peek into your childhood. Those Nancy Drew books must have been magical. I love learning about how our reading/writing journeys began. I'm a few days away from reblogging, but I'll get there!

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Gwen Plano
1/16/2022 13:27:41

Thanks so much, Diana. This was as fun challenge that took me back through the decades. 😊

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Jan Sikes
1/16/2022 16:12:54

Absolutely perfect, Gwen! What a joy that must have been to get the Nancy Drew books. I devoured them all along with The Hardy Boys when I was growing up. Great memories!

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 04:51:31

Thank you, Jan. It's amazing to think back and realize the impact the Nancy Drew stories had on so many young girls.

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Priscilla Bettis link
1/16/2022 16:33:31

A child's love for a library is wonderful! Great poem, Gwen!

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 04:53:34

Libraries are definitely a magical place. Thank you, Priscilla.😊

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Mae Clair link
1/16/2022 17:24:46

Oh, the joy of discovery of books! I remember those early years when my parents first took me to the library. The magic of reading is no less diminished with time. I love your poem, Gwen (and your memories). Perfection!

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 04:54:52

Thank you so much, Mae. The Library Card was a passport of sort. I treasured it. 🙂

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D.L. Finn
1/16/2022 18:08:16

What a beautiful gift the Nancy Drew books were, Gwen! I loved the tanka and yes, we do fly with the dreams of books. Perfect ending.

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 04:56:20

Thank you, Denise. It would be fun to read one now to better understand the child who was entranced by them. 😊

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Jill Weatherholt link
1/16/2022 19:04:59

I loved this, Gwen! Nancy Drew was a favorite.

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 04:57:46

Thank you, Jill. The books were treasures. 😊

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John howel link
1/16/2022 19:10:28

Well done, Gwen. Nice use of the prompt.

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 04:58:34

Thank you, John. I suspect the Hardy Boys kept you busy. 😊

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Harmony Kent link
1/17/2022 03:53:19

Wonderful, Gwen! Fantastic response to the TBR prompt 💕🙂

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 04:59:28

Thank you, Harmony. Every kid likes an adventure, and this was mine. 😊

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Staci Troilo link
1/17/2022 05:30:37

My sister had some Nancy Drew books. I read them before my parents started buying me Trixie Belden mysteries. I devoured more than thirty of those before moving into adult novels. Reading really does open the world to a child. Loved your poem, Gwen.

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 05:49:39

I wonder what ever happened to those books. I suspect my sisters devoured them and then they traveled to cousins. Who knows, but it would be fun to re-read a couple to see what stirred my imagination at that young age. Thank you, Staci, for sharing. 🤗

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Joan link
1/17/2022 08:07:15

I can only imagine the world those books opened up for you. Your poem made me think of one of my favorite childhood books, "The Incredible Journey." I felt like I was along for the journey in the Canadian wildnerness.

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 10:16:55

Thank you, Joan. It's amazing how these early stories still live within us. I've not read The Incredible Journey, but it sounds amazing.

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Elizabeth Gauffreau link
1/17/2022 08:19:30

The library was my favorite spot as a kid, too. Your post brought it all back!!

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 10:21:29

Thank you, Liz. I still love libraries, though they've changed quite a bit over the years.

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Merril D Smith link
1/17/2022 10:26:12

Books always take you on adventures!

I wasn't a Nancy Drew fan, but growing up, I lived in a house full of books plus regular trips to the library. I still love libraries.

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 13:40:51

How wonderful, a house full of books. Like you, I love libraries, Merril. A couple of years ago, I had a special treat - a visit to the NYC Public Library. 💗

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Natalie Ducey link
1/17/2022 11:59:45

So lovely, Gwen! How our minds take flight with the rhythmic turning of the pages. Thanks for sharing another gem with us. Cheers! xo

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Gwen Plano
1/17/2022 13:41:41

Thank you so much, dear Natalie. Your poems always touch me deeply. 💗

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Yvette M Calleiro link
1/17/2022 19:42:00

Love it, Gwen! Nancy Drew books were one of my first books as well. :-)

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Roberta Eaton Cheadle
1/19/2022 10:25:51

Hi Gwen, what a great contribution to Diana's writing challenge. I have just love all the poems and pieces. I hope she will do another one later in the year.

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Darlene Foster link
1/21/2022 14:49:11

Your poem is excellent and oh so true. I also was brought up on a farm and we didn't have many books. When I discovered the library in a city an hour away, I thought I had died and gone to heaven.

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Janis @ RetirementallyChallenged.com link
1/21/2022 15:06:34

Lovely poem! I was lucky to be born into a family of readers and I remember spending hours and hours at the library. It's still a favorite destination of my husband and mine. Funny, though, I never read Nancy Drew... I'm not sure why.

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Jacquie Biggar
1/21/2022 15:22:01

Nancy Drew and The Hardy Boys- every tween's favorite mystery series :)
You brought back some happy memories, Gwen. I think I'll look them up on Amazon, now!

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Balroop Singh link
1/21/2022 15:56:55

I didn't get any Nancy Drew books but I made sure my children had all of them. Lovely tanka Gwen, its nice to fly with dreams. I love to!

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Miriam Hurdle link
1/21/2022 16:07:26

Those childhood memories of books, dreams, and fantasy brought smile to your face, Gwen. It made me smile reading your poem. What a wonderful and perfect poem to respond to Diana's reading challenge! Thank you for sharing your lovely memories of Nancy Drew books with us.

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DGKaye link
1/21/2022 19:34:34

Wonderful tanka Gwen. I loved your story about Nancy Drew inspiring your writing. <3

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Chris link
1/22/2022 01:44:41

I was also captivated by books from an early age. Superb tanka, especially those last two lines.

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CS Boyack
1/22/2022 13:02:02

I missed this one somehow, but got here via the reblog. I like it. Adventure awaits.

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Teagan Geneviene link
1/22/2022 15:25:03

Well done, Gwen. A breath of joy. Hugs on the wing.

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mark bierman link
1/23/2022 04:29:44

Well done, Gwen!

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James J. Cudney IV
1/23/2022 06:29:10

What a fun post! Our TBRs will slice us to pieces (or pages!) one day.

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Betsy link
1/25/2022 17:55:36

Ah, yes, Nancy Drew. She was great. Your tanka captures so much with so little! When we were on a family vacation, my daughter's one request was that we visit the local library. I got a picture of her sitting on the floor, just like this little girl, only mine is 14!

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Everything can be taken from a man but one thing: the last of the human freedoms—to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way. ―Viktor E. Frankl, Man’s Search for Meaning


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