You know those infamous
portals to another world in almost every fantasy book? Well, that’s what a good
story is for me. I don’t read a book, I live it and when I close it I
have to re-enter my world. I suspect that’s true for most writers.
I was into acting in high
school and college. I competed in regional and state competitions each year. One
year the competitive reader’s theater I was in was based on Shel Silverstein’s
book, Lafcadio the Lion Who Shot Back.
Because it’s a children’s
story, a lot of audience members missed the deeply personal theme Silverstein wove
into its humor and just enjoyed it for its whimsy.