INTROSPECTION
I was a quiet child.
I was the one in the corner at school dances, watching everyone else.
While friends went out and partied, I took walks in the woods.
I avoided crowds. I still do!
I would rather listen than talk. That’s always been the case.
I am an observer and not an active participant in group activities.
I speak when spoken to, but do not offer information unless asked for it.
This is who I am.
I didn’t keep journals as a child. I rarely wrote, preferring to play baseball, or football, or go fishing, but I suspect my muse was working overtime during those childhood years, for now I have a treasure chest of ideas and experiences to write about, all of those memories stored up over the years.
I am a writer!
I listened to stories told by my grandparents, stories about the Great Depression. I heard every word as they told me about life on their Iowa corn farm, about losing that farm, and about their journey out west to a better life. I watched as my mother and father worked hard, providing for me and my sister, never complaining, always giving love in an abundant supply.
I grew up in the 50s and 60s, transitioning from idyllic Leave It To Beaver to the tumultuous protests, my country suffering growing pains, the stalwart words “liberty and justice for all” under fire, all of us experiencing growing pains, and all the better for it when it passed.
Sixty-eight years have molded my writings, and those writings will continue as long as I am able, for I am a writer and proud of it!
Bill
“Helping writers to spread their wings and fly.”
Billybuc
Artistry With Words 
Bill, I loved learning just that much more about you here today and definitely couldn’t agree more that you are indeed a writer! Happy Tuesday and wishing you a wonderful day ahead 🙂
Thank you Janine! You and I would have never known each other in school. You were much too gregarious as a teen. 🙂 But we know each other now and I love our friendship.
I love when you share about how you have been molded over life experiences to be the man we all love today. Thanks, dear Bill.
Thank you, dear Maria! I hope all is well in your life of late. Thank you for spending time with me on this rainy Tuesday.
love,
bill
Very inspiring. Needed this today.
I’m glad to hear that, Mommy..thank you for stopping by…that didn’t feel right, calling you Mommy. LOL
Lol, call me Jennice
Jennice it is, and much better it is. 🙂
We “met” when you were 63. It’s incredible. 🙂 And yes, the immediate word I think of when I think of you? Bill Holland – author and urban farmer. Hehe.
You have amazing stories to tell. You’re my Big Bro and I definitely look up to you. I hope you continue writing ad infinitum because your words matter. YOU MATTER. 🙂
Thanks LIl Sis…yep, 63, way back when. Now I’m just an old codger in a world of young people. LOL You are a treasure and a dear friend. Thank you!
Your novels all sounds great! I especially love time travel and have been tossing around an idea for a novel of my own some day with a time travel theme in it. I would like to get that book and also Resurrecting Tobias. You’re a great writer! Your work flows so well and you always have a little mystery in there which is another thing I love. Great blog!
Aw, thanks, Honey, and thanks for following my blog. I hope you do write that novel some day. If I can be of any help, just let me know.
I think we are perhaps more like one another than I previously realised! I can definitely relate to being the one on the outside looking in and I don’t mind that at all. I am by nature an observer and it still amazes me that people don’t really see or hear what others are trying to tell them. They are so busy preparing the words for what they are going to input to the conversation they forget to listen:)
Nice one Billy. I hope you, Bev and the chooks have a good week.
Ahh, Sally, just one more reason for me to like you. 🙂 We observers are important and we must never forget it. In my opinion there are far too many talkers in the world.
Hello Bill – Did you hear that roar? What was that? Oh, a writer, OK. I was and am pretty quiet.
Hey, Mike, I can for sure hear the roar, my friend. Thank you!
You are indeed a writer Bill, roar away! I didn’t dare call myself a writer until recent years…it’s a great feeling knowing all those stories will not go to waste! Cute photo too 🙂
Hi Sherri, and thanks for the visit. Cute photo? LOL I think not, but thanks for your kindness.
Love those black & whites Bill 🙂
Now that I can accept, Sherri…cute black and white, not cute kid. 🙂
Yup! Ya are! and we are all the better for it!
Aw shucks, Audrey, thank you! 🙂
Roar my good friend… ROAR!
I’m doing my best, Greg! Thanks, buddy!
Oh I liked learning about you as a observant child who was an amazing man in the making, Bill!! I’m hearing you ROAR now and it has me smiling 🙂
And you have me smiling, Christy! Thank you dear friend. When are you coming down to Washington to visit?
Awww I would love to meet you and Bev in person one day. You’re so sweet!
Yes, you are definitely a writer but more than that you are an exceptional writer. I have learned a lot just by reading the articles, blogs, and novels you write – which also makes you a great teacher. Thank you for sharing your life with us. I know my life is better because you are in it.
Marlene, those words humble me. Thank you so much. I love our friendship and I am grateful.
No matter what the length of post you always manage to grab our attention, a truly gifted writer.Thanks for sharing this my friend never get enough of reading your words xx
You are way too kind, Irish, but thank you! Your friendship is very important to me, my friend. Hugs from the other side of the world.
Oh, Bill, in that photo of you as a boy, you remind me of my best friend at primary school. Like you, I’m not into group activities, although I do talk quite a lot sometimes! I absolutely hate parties, unless I find someone like-minded to talk to. I’m usually the one who grabs some food, heads for the safety of a comfy chair in the corner, and stays there for the duration if possible.
I like you declaration “I am a writer”. When it comes from you, it’s great and to be praised. But I did once meet this woman at a function, who went up to one person after another and introduced herself as, “Hello, my name is B.S. and I am a writer!” (no full name given here). It was so embarrassing. Forever after, her name became that whole sentence, never to be forgotten.
Sarah, that is funny and yet sad. I actually never tell people, in person, that I am a writer unless they ask me specifically what I do for a living…it just seems pretentious to me, to announce it when not asked…but for this blog yes, I AM A WRITER!!! 🙂 Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
Writing is so …effortless… something I needed to read. Sounds as a ‘booster’…
I am glad you found this useful, Michael my friend. Peace and blessings always.
You had a very well balanced childhood. I wish all children today would prefer the type of social choices you made back then. You are indeed an inspiriing writer with character.
I did have a nicely balanced childhood for sure, Dee. A lucky man indeed, and thank you for the kind words. Have a superb week ahead.
This is a lovely post, Bill. There is really nothing more I can add.
I’ll take “lovely” any old day, Zulma. Thank you and Happy Weekend to you!
Bill, I enjoyed reading about your legacy of stories that you draw from as a writer!
Thank you Karen! As I get older, those stories increase in importance.
And you ought to be proud, Bill. I love your style and the variety of reading material you supply the world. You’re the best my friend!
Aww, thanks Sha! I happen to think you’re pretty damned special, too!
You just made my day! 🙂
Well hell,Sha, that was easy. 🙂