The art of school visits
Pop quiz time!
Let's say you're a student in high school (I know that won't be much of a stretch for some of you), and let's say an author (we'll call her Ally) is going to come visit your school and do a presentation in front of the entire student body--400 girls (because we're also assuming you go to an all-girls school).
What exactly should the author talk about?
I mean, hypothetically, I know what I usually talk about, but something about the 400 girls in an auditorium staring at me thing is starting to--hypothetically--make me second-guess myself.
So tell me, gang, if you were going to listen to an author for an hour, what would you expect?
-Ally
weight watchers points consumed: 22
miles walked: 2
diet cokes I wanted to consume: 95
Let's say you're a student in high school (I know that won't be much of a stretch for some of you), and let's say an author (we'll call her Ally) is going to come visit your school and do a presentation in front of the entire student body--400 girls (because we're also assuming you go to an all-girls school).
What exactly should the author talk about?
I mean, hypothetically, I know what I usually talk about, but something about the 400 girls in an auditorium staring at me thing is starting to--hypothetically--make me second-guess myself.
So tell me, gang, if you were going to listen to an author for an hour, what would you expect?
-Ally
weight watchers points consumed: 22
miles walked: 2
diet cokes I wanted to consume: 95
posted by Ally Carter at Wednesday, April 18, 2007
11 Comments:
I would personally like to hear what the author was like as a highschooler and maybe some fun experiences that she had during her teen years. Maybe some valuable lessons learned, etc. You'll be great!
Who you were, how you got where you are. You have a dream job that many of those girls will probably aspire to, and those who don't can at least recognize that it's one of those things that you're very lucky to do, because it doesn't happen to everyone.
Talk about going for your dreams and how it's not so much getting lucky as working *REALLY* hard and being *REALLY* persistent with maybe a little dash of luck. Talk to them about deciding what to do with their lives and how it's possible to get there--you did.
Assuming this is your dream job, of course. Otherwise it would be really fake and they would know it.
But yeah, I think too many people tell high schoolers that they have to be serious and decide something practical that they want to do with their lives. Personally I think that's what college is for, not high school, high school's just for growing up, getting to the point where you can decide. But too often these kids are told to hang up their dreams and find something real. I really wish more people had told me, in high school, to hold on to my dreams as tightly as I could, because giving them up so early takes a little part of you away. They can happen, they're just a lot more hard work than kids realize, and they may involve doing something practical as well, but they shouldn't give them up completely.
Ok, ramble done, sorry. But there ya go, something you could talk to them about.
You know all of the above are true for me. You want to say what your book is about, maybe a funny story or two about writing or promoting it. And anything that is funny or interesting, don't bore them with a long slide show or speech, we've seen way to many of those. Break it up with some pictures or stories or even reading a section of the book.
I would like to hear about what you were like, some experiences of yours, that sort of thing. Also, reading part of your book(I assume that it's "I'd tell you I love you,..." that you are talking about), telling about what inspired you to write that book, how you came up with the characters, etc. I would like that sort of thing, anyway.
something from your books, and getting some questions answered.
past, how she got into her job, what makes you like it, details about your bookds, stuff like that!
as one of the students attending the presentation today all I have to say is you were awesome and cool and everyone wanted you to come to THEIR English class....but thanks for coming and now I can't wait to go out and buy your books!
i was a student in your audience and let me tell you, you were amazing! you are such an interesting person and im so excited to go buy all of your books! hope you enjoy the rest of your time in "sunny" southern california and good luck with your next book! thanks again for coming!!
Heyy! You were amazing at the presentation today. I really enjoyed all your stories. I already bought your book! Thank you so much for coming. :]
Fantastic presentation, It was my favorite assembly all year! I'm rushing out to buy a copy of the book this weekend. You great and so funny, too! Paul Walker is indeed yummy.
you were AMAZING. you had absolutely nothing to worry about. =]
so happy you came.
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