Once upon a time, in a school district far, far away... Just kidding.

 

One day while I was at a school reading and playing my fiddle for some students, the principal asked if I would hold a "Question and Answer" session. Ignorance is bliss, and it's a great way to get your feet wet, so I agreed.
 
I had been traveling a couple of years and had read to thousands of children. As you educators know, kids will ask you all kinds of questions, if given the opportunity. Questions like: "How do you know when the flag is right?" and "Did your mom really name you Rooster?"

 

This particular Q&A session was going well, until one student asked, "If you enjoy reading to kids so much, why don't you write your own stories?" Good grief. I couldn't tell the kids that I couldn't write a story. I couldn't admit to being scared. I paused and like any good politician, I bravely said, "That's a good question. The best answer I can offer you is, I will give it careful consideration." That child planted a seed that took hold.

I wrestled with the idea of writing a children's book and had basically copped out. I had great face-saving excuses like, "I've been a rough and tough cowboy for over forty years; can you imagine what people would say if they saw me pecking on a typewriter or computer with one finger?" I had let myself off the hook, but little did I know, the seed was still growing.
 
Having shelved the idea of writing a book, I stopped in to visit a good friend of mine, Eddie Collie, a famous saddle maker in Amarillo, Texas. Eddie's ability to turn a piece of leather into a work of art is nothing short of genius. He is well-known all over the world and knows lots of talented people. That day, we were in his saddle shop when I spied some tiny pictures on the wall. Their intricate detail was so intriguing, I went over to study them closer. "They're mighty good pictures, aren't they?" Eddie said. I agreed.  "The artist that painted them is paralyzed from the neck down. He paints holding the brush in his mouth!" 

 

I was so moved and inspired by this courageous individual. These seemingly impossible works of art dissolved my cowardly excuses like warm water on sugar. The more I thought about it, I knew I was saddling up to ride off into the dark again.

 
I began writing stories in poetry form. I polished up one of the poems and sent it off to my editor. When she gave me her final thumbs-up, I pulled back on the reins. Deep down in my heart, I knew I wasn't being brave enough. I had learned, through experience, that reading aloud using funny voices and sound effects had inspired countless children to become readers.

That was my goal--to inspire kids to read. If I were to strive for a similar goal with my writing, I was going to have to get out of my comfort zone, and throw my loop at a dream that was bigger than my fears.

 

Riding off in the dark can be scary, but the adventure is priceless.

It's time for me to get back to work. I'll catch up with you later.

If you would like to see your question featured here, send it to me at roosterrdz@aol.com. I will do my best to answer it.