Back to School

Back to School

You probably know that, although I always wanted to be an author, I started out as a teacher. (My parents said writing was not a real job.) Although teaching was not my first choice, I fell in love with the profession the moment I had my first class. Writing lesson plans was a lot like plotting stories, and getting to know students and their families, other faculty members, and staff was a way of meeting characters. I just didn’t realize that at the time.

During the years I was teaching, I never gave up the dream of writing—I collected story ideas and even sat down occasionally to write some. I started a novel about the 1900 Storm in Galveston, a topic I had researched extensively at the Rosenberg Library. Tapping out the opening scenes on my Macintosh computer, I thought I finally had connected with my muse.

The only problem—I couldn’t dedicate enough consistent time to the task. I wrote a few pages, then saved it for later. When I got around to writing again, I had to re-read what I had written to get back into the story. Pretty soon I was spending all the time I had re-reading, with no time left to write more.

Then my computer crashed, taking the story with it. More about this tragic event in a few paragraphs…

It’s been several years since I set foot in a classroom (unless you count school visits with my dog Nana), but every year at this time of year, I’m ready to start again. I love the feeling of new beginnings, the excitement of meeting new people and new challenges, the opportunity to learn and grow as a person.

Back to school is more than a phrase, more than a season. It’s a way of life. Do you feel that way, too? Do you have memories of school supplies and lunchboxes and buses? Hallways and cafeterias and recess? Any special teachers?

One of my best teachers, Mari Allmond, did a lot to encourage my writing career. She was young and beautiful, brilliant and elegant. She also had a great sense of humor and connected with her students. When I became a teacher, I wanted to be just like her. And she became a lifelong friend of mine. A big reader, she shared book recommendations. Sometimes she sent me books from her shelves, and recipes and articles from newspapers and magazines that she curated especially for me. She delighted in each of my books and made it a point to come to an in-person book signing and many virtual talks, despite living out of town. I named one of my characters—Blake Allmond—after her. That book, A PALETTE FOR LOVE AND MURDER, mentioned Indian hawthorne in a few chapters. After she read the book, Mari sent me a floral arrangement with Indian hawthorne and a note saying, “Enjoy the Indian hawthorne as much as I have enjoyed your book!”

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This year Mari passed away, but her influence (and that note pasted on the windowsill near my computer) will always be a part of me. I owe my love of writing to her.

So, happy back to school to you. Whatever stage of life we are in, there is magic in those words. May we always be inspired and inspire others. May we always find joy in learning. And may we always remember and honor those who’ve made a difference.

Oh, and that 1900 storm story? I thought about it and re-read it so many times, I have it committed to memory. It involves a very special love story—that of my grandparents. I still want to write it. I hope my mystery readers will forgive me for veering into a different genre for a while, so I can fulfill this dream.

Meanwhile, I’m having a lot of fun with writing the sequel to BAD BLOOD SISTERS. Quinn is back with another compelling situation involving HER favorite high school English teacher, Mrs. Oliver.

You can see I have back to school and teachers on my mind a lot these days! As always, I love hearing from you. What does “back to school” mean to you? Do you have a favorite teacher who continues to inspire you? (Or one that you’d like to forget, but can’t?)

My very best to you always,

Saralyn