That was all fun, but something else made my day...
During the time spent watching the 4th graders ingest a thousand forms of sugar, a slideshow played on the projector. It had been looping all day, pictures from the course of the school year flashing in succession, a visual timeline of the 4th grade. Several featured yours truly, pictures from an author visit last December. During the visit I read from The Man in the Cinder Clouds and Rudy Toot-Toot, then I guided the class through an interactive writing workshop where the class took a premise I provided (a treasure hunt) and we created main characters and a storyline.
The teacher told me that she has one student in particular who is a terrific writer, and he’s been working on a book for a while. Earlier in the day, when the author visit pictures first started scrolling, he told her that was the day he started writing his book; my visit served as the inspiration.
That’s my favorite kind of feedback. I like it when my stories entertain people, and I am thankful for every book sold …but to know that I inspired a young writer to start his own story, that I helped grow the creativity waiting in someone’s heart, serves a deeper purpose. It’s rewarding in a way Amazon reviews and royalties can never be.
And it inspires me to write, too.
#
13 comments:
That is awesome, Rick. What better satisfaction than knowing you inspired a young writer.
Yeah, prepping the next generation for their turn at the plate. I wonder what the publishing industry will look like for them, in another 10-15 years...
That's so fantastic! Congratulations!
Thanks Davin!
That is the coolest thing!
I think this is common to writers, too, that most of us would choose a moment like that over making a best seller list but never provoking the creativity of someone else. So cool for you.
I like the loop effect...my inspiration fed his inspiration, which feeds back into my inspiration and perhaps both of us will also inspire others down the road.
Very cool! You make your sister proud :)
Awesome! And very much why I write for kids too. :)
Sharon- I've had my lesser moments, it's good to be on the upswing!
Sue- At first I thought writing a kids book would be a one-off, but I really am growing to appreciate the genre. It's a grown-up business.
Late to the party, Rick, but loved the post. It's nice to know someone was really listening, and your influencing a young mind to be creative is no small feat!
Thanks DG. I have another book coming out this fall and I'll be spending a lot of time in schools promoting it, which involves more writing workshops for the students. I'm looking forward to it!
Wow, that is awesome! That's why we do it...to reach those kids. Good for you--I am so happy you had such an impact.
Angela
Right Steps play bazaar websites new creating ideas satta king going to your way.
Post a Comment