I really don't remember....I honestly believe I was born that way.

The first time I remember telling anyone I was going to be a writer was when I was 4 or 5. I wrote a poem to my mother: Roses are red, violets are blue. You're the best Mom, and that is true.

I have no idea whether I spelled anything correctly, but I clearly recall her reaction. You can imagine how sweet it was. I told her I would be a 'poem writer' when I grew up.

It's probably a delusion on my part (hell, we writers can relate to self-delusion! Ha!) but I like to think my novels contain something of that early poetic innocence. I try to see the world through my characters' eyes, learn along with them and experience the world as they do.

Fa-ling especially gives me that feeling of innocence that survives despite great hardship and a profound understanding of life's darker side. She is, of course, a poet at heart. How could she be otherwise?

It's only a guess, but I'd be interested to find out how many novel writers were first poets.

#LitChat response, Nov. 6/09, 4:00pm EST @Donna_Carrick

Comments are welcome.