ShortHand Publishing - Kelowna Christian School Author Visit

KELOWNA CHRISTIAN SCHOOL

AUTHOR VISIT

APRIL 22/04

Today would be our last visit where we would be doing three sessions. I find three just a bit too much. Although once I get going it seems as though I could go forever – I enjoy our visit so much. However, with more and more of our visits being in Kelowna is makes for a tiring day, even if it doesn’t hit me until later or the next day.

Mind you, I’m not complaining. I have learned over the years that I need to take care of myself because when I overdo, it just isn’t any fun. Yesterday after our visit we had a little shopping to do and we were blessed with a great trip. Everything went better than planned from parking to finding everything we needed and checking out. What a great day!

But back to the good part – our visit. We arrived a little early to the library and found Librarian, Melanie Campbell, with a group of children. It was story time. While we waited for her to finish we met Monica, Melanie’s assistant.

Soon we were set up and the first group of children were filing in. While they took their places, their teacher pinned a sheet of paper to the wall with questions on it. Apparently they had spoken of my visit earlier and wrote down some things they wanted to ask me. What a great idea! I had a quick look at the list and made a mental note to try and avoid answering the questions in my introduction.

With the children in their places, on a huge colourful rubber mat, set in front of a fireplace, it was a great setting for a visit.

During my opening, I mentioned I began writing years ago when I started my autobiography. When I got to the part about why I wrote it I said, “Well, some of you might be wondering what is so special about my life that I decided to write about it.”

A young man interjected, “We are all special!”

Needless to say that threw a curve into my speech. But we carried on and soon it was time to read The Rocking Chair Rescue.

Many great questions followed. “How old were you when you started writing?”

Well at least they didn’t ask how old I was now.

I was asked what the best part is about being an author. This was not a difficult question to answer. “Well, the best part for me is being able to come to schools and share my stories with so many wonderful children!” I went on to explain since I never had children of my own I missed being able to read to children. And being able to not only read stories, but stories I have written, well that is just the best!!

A question I had never been asked was, “Did you ever have any pets?” I’m not sure where that came from so I explained I, myself never had any but my brother used to come home with stray dogs every now and then. I completely forgot about the little dog I had just before I got married, oh well.

I was also asked when I became an author. This started an interesting discussion about the difference between being a writer and being an author. I was asked this question in all three sessions and we never quite figured it out.

Today I looked it up in the dictionary. The definition of “writer” is, one who writes. Makes sense to me. The definition of “author” is, one that originates or creates. So I suppose, I am the author of whatever I have written.

Seeing that we had a little extra time once all the questions had been asked I asked if they would like to hear about publishing. I was quite surprised when they responded, “No, we publish our own books.”

This lead to a discussion about how they publish the stories they write in class. I can’t tell you how much fun it was to turn the tables on them – asking some questions of my own. I’m always amazed just how advanced the children of today are.

The last question I was asked was, “Did you have any friends in school?”

I was happy to say, “Yes. It seemed I always had at least one good friend.”

During the lunch break I enjoyed a chat with Monica while we waited to welcome our second group. Even though the questions vary, the sessions all seem to run into one another. I was asked how long it takes to write a story and why I write what I do. The latter, was something I hadn’t been asked before and until that moment I hadn’t given it a great deal of thought.

“I suppose I write what I do, because it is what I know.” I then mentioned, Rickey, the Rickety Rocking Chair was my first published work of fiction and that I enjoyed writing it because it is totally from my imagination. Adding, “I hope to write more fiction in the future.”

There were discussions about the chair and whether it was the actual chair we had rescued. Then I was asked how I write and where. I explained I have an office in my home and I write using a computer. I didn’t think of it at the time or I would have mentioned my “speech to text” tool which makes writing much easier. Although, I don’t use it as much as I thought I would.

In the last session one girl mentioned her nickname was also “Kat.” That was a first for these visits.

All too soon our time had run out, and the last session was at an end.

I’d like to thank all my wonderful helpers; you all did an outstanding job! I’d also like to thank all the teachers, Miss Kingsley, Miss Hufnagel, Mrs. Giesbrecht, Mrs. Wakefield, Mr. Sader and Mrs. Anderson for taking the time to bring their classes to our author visit. Thanks to Monica as well for making time for us. And last but certainly not least, I’d like to extend a warm thank-you to Melanie Campbell for having us visit your library. We sincerely appreciate your generosity and positive reception. Thank-you all for a wonderful day. Until next time, read much and be well! J