By Marjorie Young

It was recently my pleasure to visit the McClure Middle School in Queen Anne to speak about my fantasy/adventure series, ‘The Boy with Golden Eyes.’ As participation was strictly voluntary, I was gladdened to find about two-hundred students in attendance. It may sound like a cliché, but to look out at those very young, very eager faces was an inspiration and delight. It also proved heartening to learn that not only were they avid readers, but that many were already active writers. One young lady had even written her own five-part fantasy adventure!

Many aspects of being an author were touched upon that day, but one thing I hoped to emphasize was that any creation, once sent out into the world, takes on a life of its own. In my case, I have been fortunate to receive fan feedback from a wide variety of people, and am always amazed at the unforeseen ‘after-effect’ the saga has produced, ranging from the amusing to the profound.

Examples are many. One couple decided to become vegetarians, inspired by my hero, Rupert, who honors the animal kingdom and refuses to harm his fellow creatures. One mother, recounting heart-rending hardships involving her children, has found inspiration to never give up despite challenging circumstances. She sites that although Rupert and his comrades face overwhelming trials, they persevere…discovering meaning and purpose abound even in their bleakest moments.

Among the most touching and unexpected communications was from a woman who recounted that when her loved one lay on his death-bed, she read aloud the final chapter of book one, in order that he might ‘pass over’ with the vision of peace and perfection conveyed in those pages. I was moved to tears by this message. And needless to say, I had hardly imagined my work would generate such telling repercussions for its readers.

All this, I conveyed to my Middle School audience. My goal was to emphasize that our gifts and talents are meant to flow through us and spread out into the world, where they touch others in ways we cannot predict. A piece of music, a painting, a performance on a stage, a story…any and all of these, once set free, is akin to throwing a pebble into a pond; the ripples will surely spread out into unpredictable patterns, touching many along the way. The task of an artist is to fashion the initial work, but once released, it acquires an independent existence, and is no longer solely our own.

This same truth applies to everyday interactions as well. We all know the effect of a cheerful smile at the checkout counter; how it can brighten even a gloomy day. Conversely, encountering a surly attitude may cast a dark pall we may end up passing on to others. We are so finely intertwined, in ways we readily recognize, and ways we do not. But always keep in mind how our handiwork and our actions include not only those within our circle, but others we may never know. Therefore, we should acknowledge that nothing exists in isolation, and that we are all indeed part of the extraordinary, ever-evolving whole.

Marjorie is available for readings at the Ballard Sunday Market, her Ballard home, or by phone.
Please email her: myballardpsychic@gmail.com
See her fantasy/adventure series: www.theboywithgoldeneyes.com
Follow her on twitter: @psychicmargie