It took a good hour of conversation before we realized how we knew each other.
A few weeks back I did a book signing at the wonderful indie bookshop “Sidekicks” in downtown Rock Springs. It was a hot day, but people were out and trying to work off some cabin fever. Another author was set to appear right after me, who publishes under the name JMC North.
When she arrived, she looked and sounded so familiar. Although afraid standing and talking to her might discourage other readers from coming up I kept talking out of a nagging desire to figure out where I knew her from. I did, of course, be sure to step aside anytime someone else approached.
Eventually we did figure it out. JMC North was my Medieval Epics and Myths teacher at WWCC back in my college days. Turns out I was lucky enough to take it only a year or two before she retired.
We talked about a lot of things and we’ve been chatting over email ever since. It’s been quite interesting getting to speak with her in this new context.
In a way, I actually owe my continued writing to her.
Back in the foggy mists of 200…7?… 8?
One of those. Anyway, I wrote a paper for her class where I demonstrated how medieval warfare tactics where actually reflective of the cultural norms that prevailed at the time. She told me it was so good, if I got the chance I should publish it.
I did look for a market, but never found one. Still, that feedback was important. It gave me confidence that my work could stand up to real scrutiny.
And even well into her retirement, she’s still teaching. I learned that a program for the visually impaired that serves Utah and Wyoming citizens accepts donations of books to their collection to be converted into formats suitable for the visually impaired. I intend to donate some of my own titles, if they’re interested in them.
Of course I bought JMC’s books and I’ve started reading the first in her series. I’m only a chapter or so in but enjoying myself so far. (Oh, the curse of having a bazillion books going at once, haha).
We write in different genres, but still some of your blog readers will probably find something to enjoy there.
Now, I’m curious to know, when was the last time you got to meet someone from your past in a whole new light? Let’s discuss in the comments 🙂
