Today I spent the morning talking to my daughter’s third grade class on being an author. Let me tell you, those 8-10 year olds come up with some darn good questions. 
I started off telling them that it is hard work being an author. I mean really, what author do you know sits around eating bon-bons and watching the words pop up on a screen. Not me, that is for sure. I told them about the writing process of first draft, second draft (and possible third draft) and final draft; that editing is very important as well as making sure your punctiation is clear and used correctly so there is no run-on sentences among other important aspects of being an author. Then I talked about once you got a contract then the real work starts. We promote, market ourselves and our books, we work with publishers, cover artists and others to make our books the best thing out there and we work hard for it. I also mentioned that at least once, all the big name YA authors like JK Rowling, Barbara Parker, and other authors have been rejected and that it was ok. You just try harder next time. It is ok to be upset that one place doesn’t want your work, but hey, there could be another place that loves it! I also said to write what you know though I have never met a vampire, werewolf or alien so I am taking creative license on that. *grins*
Of course I had to mention that authors love snacks while they work and then I had my daughter pass out some goodie snack bags of chips and mentioned any budding auuthor must have them in order to feed their muse.
Then I touched on journaling is a great way to put down ideas, write your thoughts down and it is great that even if you don’t like it, it is a way to show how much inspires you. Then the questions flowed. LOL Man, I am exhausted just by answering them all. I had an ARC YA book that I got my daughter to show them what that looks like then I had a Hary Potter Paperback to show them the finish copy.
It was an amusing 30 minutes and i was asked to come back for a longer period of time. I touched on reviewing as well as well as that e-publishing is going gang busters as well as traditional brick and mortor stores that they know.
A very enthusiastic crowd though now i need a drink. LOL I am exhausted!
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2 Responses to “Inspiraring young budding writers”
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Dawn, it sounds like a lot of fun. I bet you made a lasting impression on them.
There is nothing more fun and capturing a bunch of young kids and holding them captive!!
Good for you!!
Valerie
Sounds like it was a lot of fun! would love to do that for my daughter. Oh well, glad you had an experiencing time(what?) lol
Ame