Willa's Influence On Virginia Boak

Born to her parents Mary Virginia Boak and Charles Fectigue Cather in Winchester Virginia, Willa was born in 1873. Her family originated in Wales. Her mother was a school teacher and her father lived in the valley. Although she had multiple siblings, she was closer to her brothers than her sisters. After she got published to the Nebraska State Journal, she became a regular contributor. She was also an editor of the Hesperian. Later in 1896, she moved to Pittsburg to pursue her job with the Home Monthly. She then became a telegraph editor and drama critic. During the first year, she wrote many short stories. She then moved to New York City after being offered a job with McClure’s Magazine. She brought American regions to life through her loving portrayals of individuals. She directed her passion for country into her writing. She also was a student at the University of Nebraska in the 1890’s. She often went by William and wore male clothing. Most of her friends were females of which she lived with for a few years.

She published her book Youth and the Bright Medusa, shortly after producing a collection of short stories known as One of Our. She later on wrote A Lost Lady which drew upon her memory of Lyre Garber. Willa had a huge influence on writing with her book The Song of the Lark and My Antonia. In 1923 she was awarded the Pulitzer Prize for One of Our. She was mostly remembered for the depictions of pioneer life in Nebraska. Cather published My Mortal Enemy before producing her greatest artistic achievement, Death Comes for the