Visit to the school

It went very well this time. I went to Webster Magnet School, and had six classes of fifth graders (10 year olds), grouped in groups of two each, for three sessions 45 minutes long. I had sent a story to the school for the kids to read ahead of time, "Free Day," which was published in a Jane Yolen YA anthology 2041 A.D., and we talked about it, discussing some basic concepts: genre categories, symbolism, character, setting, etc. Then I answered questions about writing in general. The kids were bright and curious and asked good questions. I'm pretty good at doing this sort of thing since I don't have any trouble getting up in front of groups, and I enjoy doing it, too. I told them that I was already preparing to become a writer at the age they are at now because I was reading so much, and I started my journal at the age of 14, which has also been key to becoming a writer. Hopefully I'll have planted a seed with at least one kid, who will think, hey, maybe it's something I can do someday, too.

Religious/Catholic commentary on LOTR movie

Click here.