I'm not a stalker, I swear

I signed up for a 10 week writing course and tonight was my first class. I was a bit nervous but mostly just excited. The focus of the class is "persona narrator" and we will be asked to "put on" different narrator's voices each week. For our first exercise we were asked to write a letter to our hero, using the voice from Amy Gerstler's poem A Fan Letter. We were given half an hour to complete the assignment. While many of the other students in the class chewed on their pens or pencils trying to decide who to write to I got started before the instructor was done giving all of her directions. It took me no time to decide who to write to. One of my goals in taking this class is to get more comfortable sharing my writing. So, here is my very silly, short letter to my own "literary hero."

Dear Anne, 

May I call you Anne? We haven't yet met but I feel as if I know you already. Anne hardly feels sufficient. Sweet Anne. Wise Anne. Funny Anne. 

Since I was a young girl I have fancied myself a writer. My imagination was always alive with colors and shapes, stories longing to burst out of me. 

In college I read your book. It changed my life. I have read it innumerable times since. I think of my thighs as my "aunties". I imagine the journey of my faith as leaps from one Lilly Pad to another. I pray "Thank you, thank you, thank you" and "Help me, help me, help me," in urgent whispers. 

I must confess that I moved to the Bay Area in anticipation of meeting you. I picture myself strolling on the hill behind your house and suddenly, there you and your dog come bounding over the horizon on one of your daily walks. This is how I imagine we will meet and become friends. 

I know if we did meet we would be fast friends, kindred spirits. Do you feel the same loneliness I do? I am sure our friendship could fill the gaps in our lives, it could complete us, you and I. 

I look forward to your prompt reply.

Your future Bosom Buddy,
Sara