Why Write?
 
 
About the Author
Born:
South Carolina
 
Lived:
Sumter, South Carolina
Wilmington, North Carolina
Harbor Island / Wrightsville Beach, North Carolina
Columbia, South Carolina
San Antonio, Texas
Monterey, California
South Korea
Anne Arundel County, Maryland
Alexandria, Virginia
Arlington, Virginia
Crete, Greece
McLean, Virginia
 
Contact Info
Email: charles@charlesmitchell.us
 
  
 
 
The Origins of my Writing
Why write?
A question that haunts most who take up the pen (or keyboard).
Is there a real answer?
Seeking immortality or simply telling a good tale?
Pick one that works and get to the writing...
 
The early 1960’s photo of the family above is of my father and mother, my sister, my bothers and me.  I’m the one with the crossed legs and the goofy smile. That was always my problem--hamming it up for the camera. The footsteps in the sand is from a visit to Delaware. The picture of the Great Buddha (Daibatsu) in Kamakura, Japan, was taken in the early spring of 2001. At the left is a shot of the Mitchell children sometime in the early 70’s. (Yes, I’m the one in the glasses with the goofy smile...) The other photo at the left is our late brother, John Henry, who always knew how to laugh, even in the toughest of time.  
 
Here are a few reasons I write...
 
  1. •My father, John Andrew Mitchell, newspaperman, woodsman, writer, poet, brother (to 11 siblings), husband, and father
  2. •My mother, Audrey, who now suffers from Alzheimer's (and is in the care of Grace Healthcare, Abingdon, VA, and of my sister, Felicia)
  3. •My older brother, John Henry, who died far too young at the age of 21 after battling misdiagnosed Hodgkin’s
  4. •My sister, Felicia (Dr. Mitchell to her students), who can juggle life, work, family, our mother, and her art better than anyone I know
  5. •My younger brother, Graeme, who has had an interesting ride in life and, during his prime years, returned to care for our father
  6. •My son Alex, who is still young, but composes his music like someone much older
  7. •My son Ian, who is still looking for his direction and will soon find it
  8. •All the grandparents, uncles, aunts, cousins, nephews and nieces who make our world what it is
  9. •All those friends, in the US and overseas, who are always in my thoughts
  10. •Myself
  11. •And, of course, my wife Elena, for whom words are too weak to describe.
  12.  
These are just a few reasons.
 
 
 
 
The Mitchell’s in the early 70’s
John Henry Mitchell
1954-1976