Five Reasons I Will Never Get Asked To Speak At Schools
I was thinking about this the other day because when I was in elementary school, a published writer would come to the school to give us a talk every year. Mostly writers of children’s books, or YA. It was inspiring to me, because sitting there in Ruch School, in a tiny, rural corner of Oregon, that was big stuff, and seeing someone who’d accomplished it made me want to do it too.
So here I am, some 12yrs later and I’m a published author. I was thinking I’d like to do that kind of thing, talk to kids, inspire them to go for it, go for your dreams because they can happen, you just ave to try.
And then I realized, no one is letting me onto school property to talk to children. Here’s why:
1. I couldn’t even name the title of my first release without having to explain some things to kids that no one wants to explain. (I can get out of this by not speaking at schools…unfortunately, I will have to explain it to my own kids. Oh well, I have a plan, but that’s for another post)
2. I don’t have my covers yet…but can you imagine??
3. I am technically not a high school graduate. I did the work, but I was homeschooled. I had a graduation ceremony and I was in college at sixteen, but I do not have a real diploma.
4. I am not a college graduate. I went for three years, starting at sixteen, then got married at nineteen. (which would invariably lead to me saying ‘nah, college shmollege! Just get married and write a book, join a band, whatever)
5. Can you imagine me talking about the content of my books?? Unless I was being invited to a sex ed discussion…
So, yeah, the chances of me being an inspiration to young children are nil. But, if I was allowed to be involved in the molding (and by that I mean shaping!!) of young minds, I would say this: Go for your dreams, no matter how big they are. Because if you don’t try, you have no idea how far you can go. And I’d say that to everyone here too.
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Good points! And thanks for the chuckle!!
I do love to provide chuckles. 🙂 Although, if I live near a city I might be able to speak at an inner city school…I would probably come across as being quite conservative in that setting.
well apparently Bill Gates didn’t finish high school either! so don’t worry about it. you are inspiration to us! Don’t feel ashamed. Maybe talking at a high school, not elementary school would be a better aim?
Yeah, maybe the high school kids could handle it. 🙂 Actually, I’d love to go to my old college and talk to the creative writing class, but the teacher there would probably shudder. (A commercial writer! Gah!) See, I *did* go to college…for a while. 🙂
Can you imagine being in a sex ed class and having to explain away the terrible success rate of contraceptives in M&B books?!
Maybe there’s a writers group you can go inspire instead of a school? But, seriously, you inspire all of us so that’s a very good thing 🙂
You don’t have to talk about the actual book, but you can talk about your journey to publication, the life of a writer, the work you did to become a writer, etc. And when asked what you write, say, you don’t write books for children but for grown-ups.
Echoing Kerrin: You’re an inspiration. Never put yourself down. There are dozens of people waiting in line to do so (now if only I can find my broom to ward them off).
Ha! I was more being self-deprecating than putting myself down. *G* My life has worked out fine the way I did, but I know it wouldn’t for *everyone*. Can’t go advocating it for the general public… 😀
You’re all very sweet! Seriously! I love it.
Jo, as for poor contraceptive rates…well, meet child number one! Big SURPRISE. And also, I always think of each book as a separate world, unless they’re connected, of course. So it’s not lots of Italian billionaires, 25yo virgins and failed contraceptives…just the ones in that book. 😀
I was just going to say, doing what you love and achieving your dream is a huge inspiration for kids, doesn’t matter the subject. I like to think I’m providing a good role model for my children by being persistent and not giving up, even in the face of rejection.
Haha – hilarious!
Jackie, you’re an inspiration to your kids, and to me, and to a lot of other people. I think everyone with a dream, not just writers, can learn from you and your attitude. Even when you have to take Great Uncle Visa out to numb the pain…and even when you have to beat Hoo the Octopus in a jealous rage…:-D
Rach, thanks *bows*
Well Maisey, you’re inspiring a whole lot of us older folks to keep our bums on seats and write! And maybe we need it more than schoolkids who for the most part (in my family anyway) really believe that they can do anything when they grow up. Lots of people I know say ‘if only I’d started”, and you’re the living breathing proof that there’s never an excuse to not reach for your dream. Great post Maisey.
Awww…Sally, too sweet!
You know, it’s true what you say. When we’re kids, we think we can do anything. And maybe part of why I submitted to Harlequin was just that…I was a kid who didn’t know anything. (barely 22 at the time of my first submission) Since then I’ve learned a lot about odds and chances, but I don’t think you can, or should, think that way. It has to be someone, why not you?
I donated a name-a-character-in-my-book opportunity to our school auction and someone googled me and put all my covers up on a posterboard right in the auction entranceway–I was a little embarrassed, especially as my husband is a minister and everyone kept saying to me, ‘And you’re a PASTOR’S wife!!’ I think your advice to kids is great. And even if our covers and titles are a little–risque–the message of our books is one that kids need to have reaffirmed. Love prevails!!
Haha! Kate, I’m a pastor’s daughter and a worship leaders wife… 😀 And I like that, it’s about love. And isn’t that the greatest?