As the new librarian at Braeside last year, I was unfamiliar with author visits. Sadly, not all schools have access to the resources needed for these visits, and the school I had worked at previously did not have the funding for them. Therefore, arranging and planning for author visits was something I had to learn about, and I was excited about the author possibilities and looking forward to seeing what an "author visit" was all about!
Now, with this being my second year experiencing visits from authors, I have found that when I first started, I didn't really know the whole truth about what was involved. Yes, author visits are exciting--meeting an author, especially if you are familiar with the books, is quite a joyful moment. Before an author visit, we spend some time during library class reading books by the upcoming visiting author, to make the visit special for everyone. We might also take a look at the author's website, learning about the author's background, which also helps with thinking about questions we would like to ask. While all of these activities are worthwhile, what the author has to say about writing, inspiring us to be writers ourselves, is what I believe is the true gift from an author visit.
Every year 4th and 5th grade students at Braeside participate in the Writers Conference (check out the new page on this website dedicated to Writers Conference information, if you are unfamiliar). And because it takes place annually, all Braeside students will particpate in this program, experiencing the process of a writer. Whenever an author visits, we must make sure we listen for that advice, those words of inspiration, the writing tips that we should immediately and actively put into our current practice.
Last May, Rob Buyea, author of Because of the Mr. Terupt and its sequel, shared a great tip about thinking about your very first line. As a writer, you have you consider how you will grab the reader right from the beginning, and a great first line is the way to do that.
This month, we have had two very special author visits. John Madormo, a screenwriter and author of the Charlie Collier mystery series, gave a workshop to the 4th and 5th grade students. His writing advice was about giving reasons to what happens in a story. A hero has to work and struggle through obstacles to succeed. Events that occur in a story must always be explained with valid reasons and explanation--events in a story can't be random or too convenient.
Now, with this being my second year experiencing visits from authors, I have found that when I first started, I didn't really know the whole truth about what was involved. Yes, author visits are exciting--meeting an author, especially if you are familiar with the books, is quite a joyful moment. Before an author visit, we spend some time during library class reading books by the upcoming visiting author, to make the visit special for everyone. We might also take a look at the author's website, learning about the author's background, which also helps with thinking about questions we would like to ask. While all of these activities are worthwhile, what the author has to say about writing, inspiring us to be writers ourselves, is what I believe is the true gift from an author visit.
Every year 4th and 5th grade students at Braeside participate in the Writers Conference (check out the new page on this website dedicated to Writers Conference information, if you are unfamiliar). And because it takes place annually, all Braeside students will particpate in this program, experiencing the process of a writer. Whenever an author visits, we must make sure we listen for that advice, those words of inspiration, the writing tips that we should immediately and actively put into our current practice.
Last May, Rob Buyea, author of Because of the Mr. Terupt and its sequel, shared a great tip about thinking about your very first line. As a writer, you have you consider how you will grab the reader right from the beginning, and a great first line is the way to do that.
This month, we have had two very special author visits. John Madormo, a screenwriter and author of the Charlie Collier mystery series, gave a workshop to the 4th and 5th grade students. His writing advice was about giving reasons to what happens in a story. A hero has to work and struggle through obstacles to succeed. Events that occur in a story must always be explained with valid reasons and explanation--events in a story can't be random or too convenient.
Another author visit this month was from Adam Gidwitz, author of The Tale Dark & Grimm trilogy. As author visits often go, he was a joy to meet. He shared a retelling of the story Snow White, adding in his signature asides (which were, of course, hilarious), and it was thoroughly a unique and special storytelling experience.
Adam was a great storyteller, and the students were beyond crazy about his visit ("best author visit EVER!" I heard many students say), but what I was the most thrilled about was when I heard kids make comments about how they now wanted to write something. They might have been thinking about what he said about writing down the story that related to the previous night's Lego adventure--when you thought you were simply playing, you were actually making up a story, similar to what Adam said about playing with GI Joes. Maybe students were thinking about something else Adam said, about writers finding inspiration by borrowing (or, more bluntly, "stealing") ideas from other writers, which is truly what all writers do, in some way or another. This is one of the big reasons for why reading helps you to become a better writer--reading results in new ideas and information that can be stored in your mind, which you can retrieve at any time when you want to write something. Reading something amazing can also motivate a person to write something similar. Case in point--how many of us wanted to rewrite or retell a fairy tale, just like Adam?
Let's always remember that with author visits, we are so excited to meet the people that create the books that we love, but most of all, we want to hear all of the things they can tell us about writing, since we are all writers ourselves.
I would like to add that these author visits would not be possible without the generous funding provided by the Braeside PTO, and the 112 Foundation, both organizations that believe in the power and benefits of author visits. Thank you Braeside PTO and 112 Foundation! And a huge thank you to the many authors who have visited Braeside School!
Let's always remember that with author visits, we are so excited to meet the people that create the books that we love, but most of all, we want to hear all of the things they can tell us about writing, since we are all writers ourselves.
I would like to add that these author visits would not be possible without the generous funding provided by the Braeside PTO, and the 112 Foundation, both organizations that believe in the power and benefits of author visits. Thank you Braeside PTO and 112 Foundation! And a huge thank you to the many authors who have visited Braeside School!