Greetings! I am Brenda from Daily Mayo. Classics are some of my
favorite books, since I mostly read just classic literature growing up. I am
excited to be able to share this guest post with you!
When I was young, my favorite books in all the world were the
most classic of Victorian titles like David Copperfield, Great Expectations,
Anne of Green Gables, Ruth Fielding, Peter Pan, Little Women, the Secret
Garden, and Sherlock Holmes.
Born into a family of 9, my siblings and I were largely left
alone to make our own choices about what to read, where to go, and what to do.
I chose to spend most of my time and energy reading
Victorian novels.
Through the pages penned by long-dead authors, I not only
absorbed the information written there, but I also became the subjects of each
book. Reading a book was not simply the experience of reading words on paper,
but also a complete immersion into a different world.
I nearly drowned with Anne, chased down criminals with
Watson (I never presumed to become Sherlock), uncovered the key to the secret
garden with Sarah, and flew to Neverland with Wendy.
I read so much Victorian literature that it began to affect
my everyday life. I wanted to wear long, swishing skirts; put my hair up in a
bun; and ride horses through the English countryside (no matter that I
basically lived in the desert). I wanted to BE Victorian in every way possible.
My childhood obsession with the Victorian lifestyle was so
deep, that when I grew up; I didn’t want to be a doctor, an astronaut, or a
rock star. I didn’t
even want to be a princess like many other little girls.
No, I wanted to be an orphan.
Or, since I found the issue of getting rid of my parents
complicated and impractical, I was all right with simply being given away to be
raised by rich relations.
Although my family and friends probably thought I was nuts
for wearing my hair in braided pigtails for two years and choosing to wear
skirts in middle school, it was during these experiences that I realized what I
wanted out of life. I wanted the ability to make people feel the way that I did
about my beloved books. I wanted to become
a writer.
As I grew older, I began to read stories that fell outside
of the Victorian period. I realized that, perhaps, I didn’t have to live like a
Victorian to experience the best side of writing.
But that didn’t mean I left all of my past experience by the
wayside. Much of my opinions on writing and literature are based around the
stories that captured my youthful imagination- and to this day, I feel happiest
in a long skirt.
Of course, if my 11-year-old self knew a career in writing
is 80 percent rejection and 20 percent coffee- she might have chosen a
different profession. Professional horse racing, maybe.
I was raised Victorian, but I don’t regret a single minute.
Bio: Brenda is crazy in love with books and runs the book
blog Daily Mayo, where you can find all things book-related and fun. I
particularly like to write about fun ways to bring books to life, create quote
graphics, and make book lists to help you find your next favorite book! You can
keep up with the fun by subscribing to my
newsletter, following me on
Twitter, or following me on
Facebook!
