I once had a teacher who taught me a singular phrase – People will have conversations with, or without you.

It’s an interesting sentence with more weight than it would seem. I’m guessing I’m not the only college student to recall these words upon graduation. Over the years I have forgotten and recalled this phrase more times than I care to remember, but it always comes back and reminds me how every piece of writing, whether a short story or a space opera, is a building block in the spanning wall of literature.

For some reason I’m picturing the Great Wall of China comprised of books.

Well, just the other day I stumbled across a Children’s book entitled Mercy Watson: Something Wonky This Way Comes. As I went about my day, that title gnawed at my mind. I couldn’t let it go. Finally, as I was wrapping up and getting ready to hop in my car and head home, it hit me.

Bradbury.

I know most of my readers knew this before I did, but it was a pure moment of conversations with, or without you.

Most readers of this children’s book have probably not heard of Ray Bradbury, but by paying tribute to those who come before us, we as authors tip our hats and build a bridge to where we came from. Someday, a child who read the Mercy Watson book might stumble across the Bradbury classic Something Wicked This Way Comes and connect the dots.

I definitely have influences and authors who have paved my path. I just hope people are conversing with me when I tip my hat.