About two weeks before Career Day at my granddaughter’s school, she had asked me if I could come and talk to the students about being an author. She’s ten, and she told me she thought I’d be good at it. How could I say no to that? I looked at my calendar. A busy week loomed ahead, but she’s our youngest grandchild, and I try to catch all the moments I can with her. Of course, I said yes.

I made plans with the teacher in charge and reworked a presentation I’d given to kindergarteners, first, and second graders last year. This time, the classes ranged from third through fifth grade. On the day I presented, I carried in a copy of my picture book, Betsy and Bailey, and my latest novel, Home at Last. As a children’s librarian for twelve years, I had read and talked to children with ease, except for those tough fifth graders who required more work on my part to engage them in the library world.

My first class of third graders included my granddaughter. Those kiddos put me at ease. They asked questions, responded to my inquiries, and listened with intent when I read the picture book. So did the fourth graders. Even those tough fifth graders surprised me with great questions and attentiveness.

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At the beginning of the day, I wondered if the students would be interested in a white-haired lady talking to them about writing a book, and I walked out encouraged by their comments. Happiness filled my heart when I asked how many enjoyed reading and writing and so many of them raised their hands. Several of the children shared the stories they were writing and how someday they wanted to publish a book.

I didn’t go into career day with the intention of selling books or marketing. My sole purpose in standing before the children and talking about being an author was to plant a seed and challenge them to keep reading and writing.

I wished I’d had someone in my childhood who had said, “Guess what? You can be an author when you grow up.” As much as I loved to read and pen poems and stories, I had not realized I could create a vocation as a writer until I was much older. In fact, in high school I my English teacher discouraged me. I had misunderstood an assignment, and she used it as a poor example of writing in front of the class. I’m so thankful I had a professor in college who turned my view of my writing around.

I appreciated the opportunity to inspire the students to dream.

“For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul.” -Proverbs 2:10 NIV

 

 

Penny Frost McGinnis, author of the Abbott Island series and picture book, Betsy and/y Bailey: No One Will be Just Like You would live in a lighthouse, if she could. Instead, she and her husband are content to live in southwest Ohio and visit Lake Erie every chance they get. She adores her family and dog, indulges in dark chocolate, enjoys fiber arts, and baseball. Her life’s goal is to encourage and uplift through her writing.

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