Writing Prompt: Barbara Delinsky Does Not Need Me

In her essay, “Barbara Delinsky Does Not Need Me,” Sandra Miller expresses great admiration for and a personal connection to bestselling author Barbara Delinsky. Describing the opportunity she had to interview Barbara, Miller writes:

“… I felt a kindred spirit in her … she began writing when [her sons] started kindergarten. That’s my position now as a mother with her youngest in kindergarten. Twenty-five years ago, Barbara was as I am today, a stay-at-home mom trying to find her stride as a writer… Her … mother had died, when Barbara was just eight, on December 13th… The day my father died 23 years ago, when I was still a teenager … I asked if I could interview [Barbara] who with diligence and grit wrote her way from stay-at-home Mom to bestselling author with staying power. I am a writer. I’ve published profiles. But this felt more personal, a little embarrassing. As much as I wanted to write a profile of this author I admired, I really wanted to meet the woman who shared my saddest day…”

Prompt: Who is an author you admire or with whom you feel personally connected? Write about the traits you admire and explain the details that connect the two of you.