~from Ami

I just came back from speaking to a group of students at Sequoyah Schools. Go Eagles! I asked for no spitwads, please, and was rewarded with an attentive group of kids- some of whom actually read! and actually write!

This was a first for me, as I've spoken to all sorts of groups before, but never high school students.

Hopefully, some of them will hop online and read this blog- I told them about my poet cousin and me, our attempts at reaching people with our thoughts and musings. How we make sense of the world by writing it out.

Talking to students is a scary proposition. When I was in school, we didn't sit still for any speaker- but I do remember a guy who came in with a guitar. He spoke to us-- a raucous bunch of honor English students--from the heart. He respected us and we gave that back to him. I remember he told us about troubles growing up, why he turned to songwriting, how his songs had changed his life. I never forgot that. So I tried to do the same- tell these kids how I became a writer, the events that shaped me, tell them the truth about my life and the struggles that have translated themselves into stories, poems, and books.

My best questions: What is your favorite book? (How to Make an American Quilt, Poisonwood Bible) Where do you get your ideas? (My weird file, life around me, people I meet) What's longhand? (Oh, that's when you take a pen or pencil and a pad of paper....)

If any Sequoyah students read this- post a note! Thanks, guys, for listening!