I’m an emphatic person by nature so when a tragedy or a natural disaster strikes, it touches me very deeply. I start thinking about what’s important and what I need to be doing to make a difference.
Of course the latest tragedy that has been heavy on my heart is the Haiti Earthquake. I feel like money is not enough in this type of desperate situation and it also makes me wonder why I should bother to revise my novel when people are suffering.
Then I remembered a 2003 interview* with Kate DiCamillo that resonated with me.
She had just started writing The Tale of Despereaux when 9/11 occurred. At the time, she was going to put the book aside since it seemed so pointless.
On a chance encounter with a passenger on an airplane, DiCamillo was even mortified to discuss the subject of her book amidst everything that was going on in the world. It wasn’t until the passenger caught up with her in baggage claim and said: “Maybe you’re wrong. Maybe stories do matter now.”
It was what got her through that difficult time to write the book that would later win the Newbery and touch children of all ages.
So every time I get overwhelmed with what is happening in the world, I think of Kate DiCamillo’s experience. Then I pick up my pen, and I start to write.
Stories still matter. Especially now.
*You can go to the Minnesota Pubic Radio website for the interview, and you’ll need RealPlayer to listen. The interview is about an hour long but the blurb about Kate’s airplane experience occurs between the 27:00 and 29:00 minute milestone.
Thanks for sharing this story about Kate DiCamillo. I think you’re absolutely right. Stories matter, especially in hard times.
Thanks Anna.
I always remember that interview every time I get distracted by something outside of my control (natural disaster, tragedy, etc.).
I’m glad that I was able to remember where I first found it and that it’s still available.
A beautiful post, thank you!
This was just what I needed to read today. Thanks for sharing.
Hi Anne and Catherine. Thanks for stopping by.
I remember when I first heard Kate’s experience and I knew it would be one of the things to reference in my heart and keep me going when things in the world go bad.
Very important post. Thank you.
Great post, Karen. It’s true. Stories give hope. Hope is what so many people need. I’ve taught kids who live in pretty horrendous situations. Reading is a wonderful escape for them. They can see a way out – a happy ending – another world. Keep writing!
Hi Anita and Jemi. Thanks for dropping a comment.
Hope is definitely a reason that stories matter. Stories have saved me many times as a young reader and it does provide a way to escape and also realize that it is possible to strive to live a different life.
Life and reality are hard, but stories can at least provide an outlet for young readers to see a different world and different possibilities.
Hi Karen, thank you so much for this thoughtful and hopeful post. I really think that stories also are powerful healing tools. A good story makes a heart feels good.
That can also benefit the survivors in a diversity of unforeseen ways…
Hi Nathalie.
Stories can benefit survivors in different ways. Thanks so much for posting charity links to help Haiti on your blog. My hope is that these children (many of them now orphaned) will get a better chance at education and also more exposure to a variety books and stories.