Words + Images

June has been a rather unexpected month of connection and collaboration with other writers, photographers and artists.  I’ve been sharing my words and my images without really knowing what would happen next.  In every case I have been wondrously surprised and humbled and appreciative of the skill, generosity and creativity of others.

A few years ago I worked for an afterschool writing program.  Kids, mostly middle school aged, would engage in an activity and then have to write about their experiences.  Usually the activities were very physical like basketball or a scavenger hunt.  However, on a rainy day or in winter, the staff would sometimes have the children select an image from a folder.  The images varied greatly from a dog licking an ice cream cone to a little boy bowled over with laughter.  The children would have to write something about what they were seeing.  For some of the children it was hard, but for others, it was a wonderful liberating experience.  It was an activity that I carried with me long after I left the program.  So when writer and photographer Hank Kellner contacted me recently to inquire about using some of my photos for his “English Education” blog I did not hesitate.  His blog focuses on using photographs to inspire writing.  In addition to his blog, he has a recurring online series on “Write What You See.”  As a photographer, I’m flattered that he asked to use some of my work.  As a writer, I am genuinely inspired by his writing prompts and the way he pairs images to spark creative thought.

I’m shy, believe it or not.  So when Molly Anderson-Childers contacted me inquiring if I’d be willing to be interviewed for her online interview series, I was both honored and a little scared.  But it was a pleasure to work with her and be guided by her.  The whole experience of answering her questions sparked both creative bursts of activity and moments of quiet reflection about what I do and why I do it.    Catch a sneak peek of the interview on her blog, Stealing Plums.