Cabin 20 at the Highlights Foundation
Cabin 20, Sponsored by Linda Elovitz Marshall and Bob Marshall
“I learned so very much in those few days. For me, Candy and Eric and Jane Yolen and Highlights and so many others have become my writerly “godparents,” encouraging me and giving me wings. Bob and I hope that, by sponsoring this cabin, we can help give wings to others.” (Linda Elovitz Marshall)
A Letter from Linda to All Who Stay in Cabin 20
The photo above is Bob and me, by our old barn and hand-operated water-pump. Our house – a 1700’s colonial overlooking the Hudson River – is just a few hundred yards away. The moment I saw that old farmhouse – which looks like it came from a Currier-and-Ives calendar – I fell in love with it. Bob, too.
Sheep River Farm – the name we gave it – was beautiful. Mornings, still in bed, we could watch the sun rise over the Hudson River. In the autumn, we could see fog slowly lift from the river. In winter, icicles dripped from the eaves. And because the river is a flyway, the wildlife was spectacular.
But what does this have to do with the Highlights Foundation?
Keep reading.
Bob knew from childhood that he wanted to practice medicine. He became a country doctor, beloved by his patients for more than fifty years. I tried many careers. First, I studied anthropology and became a story-gatherer. After that, I taught early childhood education; then I taught parenting education. Together, Bob and I raised four children, a small flock sheep, chickens, and countless rabbits. Then I pursued a Ph.D. in Anthropology, taught writing to college students, wrote for magazines, created an oral history business – collecting and writing family stories, then I opened my own bookstore. While running the store, I developed products (not very successfully) for the giftware industry. Some of those product ideas – plus my experience in early childhood education – led me to writing for kids. Through it all, Bob was my rock, providing support and encouragement.
This is where the Highlights Foundation comes in.
I’d had two books published and interest in a third when I took a huge leap – registering for a course in Picture Book Writing. The course was taught by Candace Fleming and Eric Rohmann. The students – about 12 of us – stayed in the Farmhouse. The “Barn” wasn’t yet built. I don’t remember even seeing the cabins. During the course, Candy and Eric explained – and demonstrated – what goes into making a picture book.
A picture book, Candy said, is a like a codex…and the story’s problem has to be clear by (or before) the third spread. If not, well…the story’s doomed. A picture book needs to end with something satisfying…an “ahhhhhh….” And, of course, the art and text need to work together to create a greater whole.
While there, I sought Candy’s advice on a project I wasn’t sure I could handle. “Linda,” she said. “You can do it. You’ve got the tools.” She gave me the encouragement I needed. It worked. I finished the project…and it became a book!
I learned so very much in those few days. For me, Candy and Eric and Jane Yolen and Highlights and so many others have become my writerly “godparents,” encouraging me and giving me wings. Bob and I hope that, by sponsoring this cabin, we can help give wings to others.
Bob has since retired from his medical practice. And not so long ago, we sold our lovely old farmhouse. The children had grown and moved away, with their own families. The sheep and chickens and rabbits were gone. Even the dogs were just a memory. With each passing year, the narrow, steep stairs to our bedroom were becoming more hazardous. Although Sheep River Farm was the often source of my writing inspiration, it just wasn’t practical to keep it.
These days, I come to the Highlights Foundation. For me, Highlights, like Sheep River Farm, is a wonderful source of writing inspiration.
Bob and I hope this cabin inspires you as much as Sheep River Farm inspired me. Watch the sun rise…or the rain come down…or listen to a cricket…write…or do art …or just dream…and, if you can, please leave us a note.
With warmest regards,
Linda and Bob
Linda Elovitz Marshall and Bob Marshall Scholarship
Linda Elovitz Marshall’s journey as a picture book author has been inspired and shaped by the Highlights Foundation in many ways. In gratitude to Highlights’ support and encouragement, Linda and her husband Bob have sponsored Cabin 20 on our campus, thereby establishing a scholarship to support a writer or illustrator to attend an in-person workshop.
This scholarship will be awarded each year for the duration of the sponsorship. As Linda found support, encouragement, and mentorship at the Highlights Foundation, she and Bob hope to reciprocate, giving wings to others.
