Heading for the Texas Border

Last week I received a batch of letters from a 1st Grade classroom in Texas asking if I would Skype with them for their "Pirate Week." How many letters does it take for a writer to agree to do something like that? The answer is not very many. After reading two or three of them, I was instantly in a good mood. Letters from children are not only sincere and heartwarming, they are also funny. 

After some technical difficulties on Wednesday, I was finally able to "visit" with them this morning. The great thing about classroom visits, beside the obvious nudge to one's ego knowing that someone out there actually appreciates the work you do, is the enthusiasm of the kids. Though it was early in the morning, by my terms anyway, they were wide awake and eager to hear from me. And for all those people out there who don't believe teaching is one of the hardest jobs around, try spending five mornings a week with energetic six-year-olds and then tell me how easy you think it is.

The kids were great. I wore my pirate outfit, which I often wear for any visits concerning my Pirate School series. We talked about my own tendency to get icky-sicky on boats and my bossy older brother who inspired the know-it-all character. In turn they told me about cruises they'd been on and a particular bossy four year old younger sister. Yet another way in which the internet helps authors connect to their audience. 

Shiver Me, Shipwreck!

(artwork by Annabelle 2nd grade)

I spent part of this morning visiting an 2nd grade classroom at a local elementary school and reading Pirate School: Shiver Me, Shipwreck. I don't do a lot of school visits, but I try and visit at least one a year. It came down to the wire this year, but I made it...and as always it was a lot of fun.

I was feeling generous today and even wore my pirate hat for the reading. Kids like that kind of stuff. They find it funny. That's what makes kids awesome. Another thing that makes kids awesome is the questions they ask. Sometimes they aren't even questions. Sometimes they just raise their hands to tell you random facts about themselves. Those are my favorite questions.

I signed books for all the kids too. Some gave me drawings. Others brought up stories they had written that they wanted me to read. One was about a trip to Six Flags that ended when the 'character' went on the Twister ride and 'pukt' on her mom. "It was a fun day." (probably not so much for the mom). Another very serious girl, who wanted to a writer and whose classmates confirmed she was always writing stories, let me read an extremely well-written three page story. Isn't funny how you pretty much spot a writer even as a child.

Stay tuned tomorrow for more Pirate School excitement and a chance to win two signed copies.