A writing challenge from D. Wallace Peach

1/16/2022

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!

Gwen Plano

1/16/2022 13:27:41

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

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!

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.

Priscilla Bettis link

1/16/2022 16:33:31

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

Gwen Plano

1/17/2022 04:53:34

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

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!

Gwen Plano

1/17/2022 04:54:52

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

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.

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. 😊

Jill Weatherholt link

1/16/2022 19:04:59

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

Gwen Plano

1/17/2022 04:57:46

Thank you, Jill. The books were treasures. 😊

John howel link

1/16/2022 19:10:28

Well done, Gwen. Nice use of the prompt.

Gwen Plano

1/17/2022 04:58:34

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

Harmony Kent link

1/17/2022 03:53:19

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

Gwen Plano

1/17/2022 04:59:28

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

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.

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. 🤗

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.

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.

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!!

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.

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.

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. 💗

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

Gwen Plano

1/17/2022 13:41:41

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

Yvette M Calleiro link

1/17/2022 19:42:00

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

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.

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.

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.

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!

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!

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.

DGKaye link

1/21/2022 19:34:34

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

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.

CS Boyack

1/22/2022 13:02:02

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

Teagan Geneviene link

1/22/2022 15:25:03

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

mark bierman link

1/23/2022 04:29:44

Well done, Gwen!

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.

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!

A writing challenge from D. Wallace Peach

Leave a Reply.

Archives