| I have been writing since I was very young,
about 7. I kept journals and wrote things down for years. I always knew
I was supposed to be a teacher and a writer. Being a
librarian combines my love for books and my love for teaching others to
love them."
T.K. Cassidy, a former resident of the island of Guam, mother of 2,
grandmother of 6 and lover of all things Irish, talks about her writing
and trying to get her stories published.
"I refused to believe the big name publishers when they turned
me down! They all said 'we love your stories but the potential readership
is too small' to consider publishing them." Cassidy's usually smiling blue
eyes flash when she says, "When you know something is true in your heart,
it might be hard to convince everyone else but it will work - if you just
keep on believing it yourself."
Former Children's Librarian for the Territory of Guam who is returning
to a school this fall, Cassidy is also a storyteller and lecturer. "I started
writing and telling stories to try to instill a love for books in my 1100
grand kids at Upi Elementary where I was the librarian. Things just grew
and grew. Now I find I have finally discovered my true vocation. I always
knew I was a closet "ham" but I've always been very shy. It is great fun
to get up in front of an audience and become someone else, like the
lady who can call dolphins from the sea (second book in series) or the
little chicken who learned to call the sun, my signature story. I
have also discovered my stories translate nicely to other cultures. I told
stories at the Blueberry Storytelling Festival in Popularville Mississippi
and at the University of Southern Mississippi in the summer of 1995.
There were no language problems. The people there liked them just as much
as people here do!"
Since returning to the mainland in May of 1998, Cassidy has take-up
residence in Swansboro North Carolina. Both she and her husband Rick lived
in this area before - 25 years ago, married to other people and they never
met. She works for Onslow County Schools in the newest most high tech school
in the county - Sand Ridge Elementary opening on 5 January 1999 to students.
Cassidy can be reached at tkc@storylady.com
for more information about her books, her storytelling workshops
and her school visits http://www.storylady.com.
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