In my last post, I told you that I had been invited to do a presentation as an author to Pine Grove School. My biggest message that I wanted to get across to these kids was't that they should buy my books, or be impressed with me, or even that they should want to be a writer. I told them that they should look at me, someone who has dreamed of being a writer since I was their age, and know that if I could make that happen, that they could make their own dreams come true as well. I admitted that following those dreams might need to be supplemented by something that gives them an income, but that, the thing that makes them most fully them, like writing does for me - should never be abandoned just because it is hard work for little financial gain.
And after I talked to three groups of students, and ate at their wonderful banquet, I left and went back to work as a substitute teacher at another school. But unknown to me, the kids were paying me for the message I had given them, and on the last day of school, I found my mailbox stuffed with the reward.
Here are the Oohrah at the village off Oohline from my novels
Dear Mrs. Goode, Thank you for teaching us about authoring and writing."
"Thank you for telling us to fallow our dremes"
"I'm writing my own book called, "The Mystery on Ridge Street", I'm on chapter 5, The Mist."
"I want to be an author too.
sisirily,"
""I imagine it was hard making book with waht evar you named yer book.
Sinserly,"
"My favorite book was your second book that you made for us to read."
"Thank you for coming to Spring Arts Day. We learned a lot about writing a book. We would all love to buy your book."
"I think that you taught us a lot of tuff about how to make books. I have one of your books that you made."
"Thank you for telling my class and I about your books. In fact, one of my class mates bought your book."
"It is cool how you made your books and I would really want to read your books."
"I make better illustrations because I listened to you."
"I think you did a good job on the book you read to us. It's so cool that I can know someone that wires books. It is just amazing how long they take to make."
"I really enjoy your novels, I am going to save up my alowance so I can buy your novels. The idea of a flying tiger is so creative. When I grow up maybe I can make a movie about your book if that's ok with you."
"Thank you for telling us about your book you made. It also impressed my friend Kaleb. You told about some of it to us. I decided to buy one. I bought number one and two. They are really good so far. I enjoyed it when you were telling us part of it. I told my little brother about yo and he wants to write books too."
"I would love to read your books and I want to be a singer."
"Dear Mrs. Goode,
Thank you for coming to Spring Arts Day. I allways whonted to be an illustrator and now I know how hard it is to be a illustrator. "
"Dear Mrs. Goode,
I think your the best substitute teacher in the world.! I mean, we're both writers so I love hearing about your books and reading them! Oh, and I have great news for you! remember, "Duffy Barkley is not a Dog"? Well, I'm writing a story with the same Oz/Narnia concept. It's called "the Adventures of Nina and Lilly 1# Portal in the Mountain side" It's basically about talking mountain lion named Nina, and her hymn best friendLilly going on all these adventures but something always goes wrong. Happy Book Making!"
and the one last, but not least from a student who made me smile
"Dear Mrs. Goode,
I had a majestic time with you. I've never herd any stories like yours'. You're Oregon Trail Story is like fiction in descise, (disguise) You have a really good amagination.'
