My Trusty Reading Pals

Note: Previously published in Once Upon A Time magazine.

My Trusty Reading Pals

By Billy Burgess

When you’re are busy writing short stories or novels, you’ll find yourself neglecting the important things in life. Writers should never forget to read just for pleasure. For me, this can be a definite problem. I live in a small town where the only place to buy a new book is at Walmart, which carries a limited amount. Of course, my town does have a nice library, and I make frequent visits to check out books.

Never overlook Salvation Army Family Thrift Stores, garage sales and flee markets. These are great places to get hard-to-find books. Sometimes the books are a little used, but they’re still readable. You can also find books that look brand new.

I have a particular Salvation Army that I go to frequently. Over the years I’ve found books by Eve Bunting, R.L. Stine, Christopher Pike, Judy Blume, Beverly Cleary and many other wonderful authors. Just last weekend, I found two Berenstain Bears books. I’m excited to find them because they take me back to my childhood years and they spark creativity in my writing. It’s a reminder of why I love writing in the first place - to create wonderful characters and stories that will be remembered by children.

I’m a writer who likes to keep books at hand. What do I mean by this? When I’m writing a children‘s story, I like to refresh my memory by reading a book that is at the age level that I’m writing for. If I’ve read several adult books in a row, my writing style seems to change a little when I go to write a children’s story. My words can become a little too big and a little too descriptive.

This is where a book becomes handy. I currently have “Henry and Beezus” by Beverly Cleary on my desk. I loved reading this book as a child and I still love reading it today. It takes me back to a more simpler time, where there are no deadlines, bills to be paid or other issues that life throws at me.

Remember, no matter how old you are, you’re never too old to read your favorite children’s books.