KA
Katherine
Founding member
How I fervently wish I was writing about one of my inspirations in happier circumstances....
My favourite children's author, Paula Danziger died on July 8th from complications of a heart attack. She was just 59 years old, and you might remember her as the person that did the book review slots on both Going Live and Live and Kicking in the late 1980s and through until the mid-1990s. Her passing has left me saddened and shocked.
Paula had a very profound impact on my life ten years ago, when I was seventeen years old. A bit of an advanced age to become a fan of her writings admittedly, but during my school years I found reading fiction problematic because of Asperger's Syndrome; a form of autism (undiagnosed at the time - I was only diagnosed properly in 2001) that amongst other things resulted in my finding it very difficult to empathise with or relate to other people, read non-verbal cues, body language or understand their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Therefore, I would find it hard to understand why people did things in fiction or on dramas on television even if it was obvious to non-autistic people. I would be trapped in a mire of confusion, as well as struggling to understand the storyline. I spent my entire schooling knowing that there was something that made me different to my peers but not knowing what that was. With this in mind, it is not surprising that reading fiction was something I did not enjoy doing as all my energies would be focussed on trying to keep track of the storylines to the detriment of appreciating fiction. That was my mindset until Saturday 21st November 1994.
On the morning of that day, I saw Paula doing one of her book reviews on the programme Live and Kicking. Normally, I'd have paid scant attention to it, but there was a certain something in Paula that compelled me to take an interest in her slot. Maybe it was the copious jewellery? Her comforting and persuasive tone of voice? The fact that her attire made her stand out a little from other authors? Whatever it was, it got my attention, made me curious to find out what her writing style was like. I was more than surprised to find myself trotting off to my local library the Monday after the programme to borrow any book on its shelves written by her. And so, I returned home with 'This Place Has No Atmosphere'! Had I gone momentarily insane? I believe my mother had to be bought round with smelling salts! Whatever, Paula's individualistic and somewhat eccentric character 'reached' my inner consciousness and turned this VERY reticent, lethargic, cynical and unwilling reader into someone who came to like, rather than loathe her local library!
The tide turned that day, and before long I found myself taping her book review slots on Live and Kicking, taking notes of the titles she discussed which, along with her own titles, I read with much appreciation. Here were books written at a level which I could more readily appreciate given the emotional, social and behavioural immaturities so characteristic of Asperger's Syndrome. I realise now that I will never be a conventional or 'normal' 26 year old. How I hate the word normal! It is a word invented by people who are too afraid to be different, and this is where Paula's flamboyant character resonated so strongly with mine. Here we were, unknown to each other but united in the cause of celebrating 'differentness' however it chooses to manifest itself. I felt I had a kindred spirit in Paula, and I would have loved to have met her. Had we done so, it would have been a very interesting and memorable encounter!
Nearly ten years on from the day Paula 'reached' me, I have read many a great book (both teen and adult), read Paula's complete bibliography and yes, I too have been swept along on a wave of Harry Potter mania! I am in the middle of writing a Harry Potter 'fan fiction' story about my character Iolanthe Braidwood who, in becoming the first Ravenclaw in the history of the Braidwood family, deliberately contains a hint of the individuality evident in both my and Paula's characters. Boston Library are very familiar with my face now, and not one of Paula's book review slots has since been taped over. Given the recent events, they never will be. I have learned a lot about the ways of the non-autistic person and have more understanding of society, and I have a 2 year-old niece called Isabella who I will try and introduce Amber Brown to when she's old enough! Paula's legacy to me is a very rich one indeed.
I will never forget Paula, or the worlds she unwittingly introduced me to on that day in 1994. I will work hard to ensure that her spirit will remain undimmed. she will never realise how inspirational she has been to me. Should I ever get a book in print, I shall dedicate my first novel to her. It's the least I can do to pay respect to the many hours I spent enjoying her stories........
Paula Danziger: August 18th 1994 - July 8th 2004.
My favourite children's author, Paula Danziger died on July 8th from complications of a heart attack. She was just 59 years old, and you might remember her as the person that did the book review slots on both Going Live and Live and Kicking in the late 1980s and through until the mid-1990s. Her passing has left me saddened and shocked.
Paula had a very profound impact on my life ten years ago, when I was seventeen years old. A bit of an advanced age to become a fan of her writings admittedly, but during my school years I found reading fiction problematic because of Asperger's Syndrome; a form of autism (undiagnosed at the time - I was only diagnosed properly in 2001) that amongst other things resulted in my finding it very difficult to empathise with or relate to other people, read non-verbal cues, body language or understand their thoughts, feelings and emotions. Therefore, I would find it hard to understand why people did things in fiction or on dramas on television even if it was obvious to non-autistic people. I would be trapped in a mire of confusion, as well as struggling to understand the storyline. I spent my entire schooling knowing that there was something that made me different to my peers but not knowing what that was. With this in mind, it is not surprising that reading fiction was something I did not enjoy doing as all my energies would be focussed on trying to keep track of the storylines to the detriment of appreciating fiction. That was my mindset until Saturday 21st November 1994.
On the morning of that day, I saw Paula doing one of her book reviews on the programme Live and Kicking. Normally, I'd have paid scant attention to it, but there was a certain something in Paula that compelled me to take an interest in her slot. Maybe it was the copious jewellery? Her comforting and persuasive tone of voice? The fact that her attire made her stand out a little from other authors? Whatever it was, it got my attention, made me curious to find out what her writing style was like. I was more than surprised to find myself trotting off to my local library the Monday after the programme to borrow any book on its shelves written by her. And so, I returned home with 'This Place Has No Atmosphere'! Had I gone momentarily insane? I believe my mother had to be bought round with smelling salts! Whatever, Paula's individualistic and somewhat eccentric character 'reached' my inner consciousness and turned this VERY reticent, lethargic, cynical and unwilling reader into someone who came to like, rather than loathe her local library!
The tide turned that day, and before long I found myself taping her book review slots on Live and Kicking, taking notes of the titles she discussed which, along with her own titles, I read with much appreciation. Here were books written at a level which I could more readily appreciate given the emotional, social and behavioural immaturities so characteristic of Asperger's Syndrome. I realise now that I will never be a conventional or 'normal' 26 year old. How I hate the word normal! It is a word invented by people who are too afraid to be different, and this is where Paula's flamboyant character resonated so strongly with mine. Here we were, unknown to each other but united in the cause of celebrating 'differentness' however it chooses to manifest itself. I felt I had a kindred spirit in Paula, and I would have loved to have met her. Had we done so, it would have been a very interesting and memorable encounter!
Nearly ten years on from the day Paula 'reached' me, I have read many a great book (both teen and adult), read Paula's complete bibliography and yes, I too have been swept along on a wave of Harry Potter mania! I am in the middle of writing a Harry Potter 'fan fiction' story about my character Iolanthe Braidwood who, in becoming the first Ravenclaw in the history of the Braidwood family, deliberately contains a hint of the individuality evident in both my and Paula's characters. Boston Library are very familiar with my face now, and not one of Paula's book review slots has since been taped over. Given the recent events, they never will be. I have learned a lot about the ways of the non-autistic person and have more understanding of society, and I have a 2 year-old niece called Isabella who I will try and introduce Amber Brown to when she's old enough! Paula's legacy to me is a very rich one indeed.
I will never forget Paula, or the worlds she unwittingly introduced me to on that day in 1994. I will work hard to ensure that her spirit will remain undimmed. she will never realise how inspirational she has been to me. Should I ever get a book in print, I shall dedicate my first novel to her. It's the least I can do to pay respect to the many hours I spent enjoying her stories........
Paula Danziger: August 18th 1994 - July 8th 2004.