I absolutely love kids, classrooms, and learning. I love that environment. I love talking to kids. Author visits at schools are just one way that I can keep that going this year, even as I’ve stepped out of the role of teacher. I find that I’m genuinely enjoying this part of the job. School visits are amazing.
My favorite part of the school visits, despite our chosen topic of the lesson I bring, is always the time when I let kids ask questions. It’s hilarious to me the ones that always get repeated, no matter what I talked about or what the demographics of the group are.
- How long does it take you to write a book?
- Where did you get the idea/inspiration for this book?
- What advice do you have for kids who want to write?
Then there’s the questions I’ve heard a few times, but not every single time.
- How much money do authors make?
- Are you famous?
- Do you write every day?
- How fast do you read?
But my favorite ones are the random questions. The ones I wasn’t expecting. The ones that make me laugh or smile.
- Will you put me in your next book?
- Who’s the most famous person you’ve met?
- Do authors put our favorite characters through bad stuff on purpose?
- Do you just imagine the worst possible thing for a character and go with it?
Kids are awesome. I will forever enjoy listening to the things they wonder about and providing them with answers if I can.