As an author, you know a school has really gone out of its way to make sure you have a great visit when you pull into the parking lot and find a shiny red music stand marking your spot…
Colchester Middle School rolled out the red carpet, too, when I visited to give presentations for the 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. Every student had read at least one of my books, and they were a terrific audience.
I always love giving presentations to big groups and answering questions, but sometimes the quieter moments that happen as kids are leaving are some of the most memorable. Today, I had a chance to visit with a handful of writers who stayed behind that extra minute to tell me about the projects they’re working on, the hopes they have for their stories, and the problems they’re facing along the way. Many were challenges I’d faced in revising my own books, and I was reminded once again that those of us who write are kindred spirits, no matter how long we’ve been at it.
And one last note, just for the Colchester kids reading this… First of all, thank you. You guys were awesome today, and I loved spending time with you. And second, I know that we ran out of time during the Q and A period in a couple of your groups. If you were one of those people with your hand still in the air when it was time to go back to class and you still have a question you’d like me to answer, please leave a comment here or drop me an email using the link on my website, and I promise to send along an answer soon. Thanks again for a great day at your school!
Sounds like a great day!