The Day I Was Mrs. Finkbeiner
March is reading month. Yeah! Really! So, get a book off that shelf and get crack-a-lackin’! You’ve got some reading to do this month.
Is it bossy if it’s for the good of literature? Hm.
Anyway, because schools are celebrating, many are inviting authors to come speak to the kids.
And, goodness me, my daughter’s teacher invited me. My girl is in 1st grade where it is still cool to have your mom come in.
I thought it would be fun to talk about the tools writers need. So, I got my hands on one of my husband’s tool boxes.
And packed it with all kinds of things that writers need.
I included a coffee cup (of course), a journal, pens, a banana (representing brain food), an eraser, my Alot monster (made by Kristi West…representing buddies who can encourage you), flarp (that toot sounding goo stuff to symbolize sense of humor), Peter Pan (protagonist), and Captain Hook (for the antagonist).
I also included a book. Charlotte’s Web, of course. Because I wanted them to understand that masterfully written books are among the most important tools a writer has. That, my friends, is why I read so much. I’m building my writing muscles.
I enjoyed myself so much. The kids were great and engaged listeners. I was paid in hugs and toothy smiles.
And I got to look into the faces of kids who, one of these days, might write a few books of their own. Wouldn’t that be something?
I hope that, through my little talk, a few of those kids can hold onto their dreams. Carry them into their adult years. Knowing that it’s possible.
Believing you can do it is a pretty great tool.
susiefinkbeiner.com 
When I was growing up, my mom always made me and my siblings read and write a lot. Sometimes I hated it (when my oldest sister would read/write more than me), sometimes I loved it (When I technically read more books because children’s books still counted for me but not for the aforementioned sister).
Now I am seeing a big difference between how my siblings and I view the world and how most other non-reading/writers view the world. I am thankful that my mom encouraged me to read and write.
Also, I was homeschooled till college, so every day my mom was the “guest speaker.” It had its ups and downs, but overall, I am glad she was/is invested in my education and growth as a person.
Keep up the good parenting, reading, and writing! š
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And I know that your mom is really proud of you. She’s raised a fine son.
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That’s so cool! I love your toolbox idea. I’m actually doing a similar (smaller scale) thing for a grade 2-3 class next week (there’s nowhere near the plethora of writers in my area that there are in yours, so they think I’m a bit of a novelty…aaarrggh!). So much fun though. Last year I showed the grade 3/4 class Paint Chips, as an illustration of “here’s something my friend has written, one of the cool things about writing is that you get to meet people from all over the world”. The teacher was most impressed, and asked “What’s it about? Could you read out a section?” Darn. Didn’t anticipate that question
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Oh…um…yeah. You couldn’t read anything to the kids. No! Yikes.
The funny thing about having so many writers around here is that most “normal” people don’t realize how many of us there are! So, they’re amazed when they meet one of us. I guess we blend in pretty well.
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I imagine you inspired half the class to become writers!
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Wouldn’t that be fun?
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We’re on the same wave length! :o)
http://heartmatterspublishing.com/index.php?option=com_easyblog&view=entry&id=108&Itemid=511
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Oops! I meant to reply to your blog “On Waiting!” :o/
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Ha! I understand. I’ve done that before on other blogs.
Julie, I’m glad to be in such good company!
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How wonderfully wonderful. You are so blessed to have gotten that opportunity and what a clever thing you did with the tool box! I bet those kids just thought you were like a movie star how fun!!
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They are a very great group of kids. I’m so happy to be able to hang out with them!
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