Mulling on Memory

What is a writer besides a packrat of memory? 

Writers have to be observers, interpreters, translators of experience.

Yet all of that relies on memory. 

Our brains streamline experiences into nice, neat packages. These make more sense than the raw material of life itself, the material that gave rise to the memory. What a writer does is streamline the material even more, so that another person can understand and follow the storyline.

What, then, happens to stories when memory falters? Or, as with Alzheimer's, becomes unreliable and spotty?

If human beings are hardwired to be storytellers, why do we also attempt to blot out memory with drugs or drink? 

Ed Young, Children's Book Artist, Passes Away

Ed Young, friend, mentor, and artist, has passed away at the age of 91. I had the honor of working with him on three children's books: Nighttime Ninja, Mighty Moby, and Night Shadows. 

Ed was a favorite of teachers and librarians as his books were so gorgeous and well-done, often with layers of meaning and sharing of stories from around the world, particularly from his native China.

Ed received many accolades for his work. He received the Caldecott Award for Lon Po Po, two Caldecott Honors, Eric Carle Lifetime Achievement Award, nominations for the Hans Christian Andersen Award, and more. Our Nighttime Ninja won the Children's Choice Award.

You can read more about Ed Young at my children's book website.