One Writer's Beginnings

One Writer's Beginnings
by Eudora Welty
© 1983

Though I have yet to finish Breaking Dawn (shame! shame!), I think It's high time I began my nonfiction book. Luckily for me, I didn't have to face the daunting task of going to the Decatur Library and spending God knows how long picking out a nonfiction book that at least sounded partially interesting (although Hitler's Mein Kampf looked promising...). No, this book was handed to me, handed to me over Jorri, I might add. (so *nyaa!*)

I've only read the first few pages, not to mention the selection we read in class, but I can already say that Welty's style of writing appeals to me and holds my attention. It's no surprise, seeing as her short story A Worn Path was quite possibly the best thing I had read all semester in American Lit.

Welty's tone is warm and inviting, drawing the reader into her childhood world. Even from the first few pages it is obvious where Welty's interests in literature originated. The way she describes her early love of books reminds me of me when I was a child. I even used to sleep with all my books piled next to me in my bed. (Yet another one of my childhood eccentricities. Now, I keep the books safely on the shelves.)

She also says that though her parents didn't make a lot of money, they always had enough to purchase books. This makes me think of my father. He's told me time and time again that the only things he will never deny me are a meal and a book, which is true for the most part. (Once, he made me choose between popcorn at the movies and a real lunch, a decision I was not aware of until after I had already chosen the popcorn.) But every time I'm with him and his budget permits, he buys me a book.