Author visits at HKA start long before the actual visit and continue to engage our students long afterwards as well. I am often amazed with how much enthusiasm our students still talk about author visits that have taken place years ago, whenever the name of the respective author comes up. But then I shouldn’t be surprised because our author visits – in person or via Skype - are and have never been isolated events but rather are part of weeklong author inquiries – and, of course, we have also had the most fabulous and inspiring authors, that have all left lasting impressions on our young readers and writers (the grown-ups actually as well ;)
Today I wanted to share with you some of the comments that emerged from the reflections about Lenore Look’s wonderful Skype visit during our Literacy Week; what our third graders said they learned from the author. Students found especially helpful what Ms. Look shared about getting ideas for writing, keeping track of ideas, how to go about research and writing in general. Here are some examples of our students’ comments:
About getting ideas for writing…
She gets inspired by other people and places all over.
You can create books from real people.
Alvin Ho is based on a boy named Sam who could not talk in school. But he would talk everywhere else.
About keeping track of ideas and writer’s notebooks…
You should always carry a writing notebook to store your ideas and color code your writing ideas because then you can remember what color you wrote in and go to that idea whenever you want.
Color-coding notes will make it easier finding them.
Lenore Look always carries a writer’s journal and sharpies, and she records the ideas she gets while she goes somewhere.
We should always have a notebook because if you don’t then your ideas you will not remember them.
It is really important to put your ideas down before you forget them because if you forget them you couldn’t write it down anymore.
She gets inspired by other people and places all over.
You can create books from real people.
Alvin Ho is based on a boy named Sam who could not talk in school. But he would talk everywhere else.
About keeping track of ideas and writer’s notebooks…
You should always carry a writing notebook to store your ideas and color code your writing ideas because then you can remember what color you wrote in and go to that idea whenever you want.
Color-coding notes will make it easier finding them.
Lenore Look always carries a writer’s journal and sharpies, and she records the ideas she gets while she goes somewhere.
We should always have a notebook because if you don’t then your ideas you will not remember them.
It is really important to put your ideas down before you forget them because if you forget them you couldn’t write it down anymore.
About writing…
When she is done with her draft but she feels like she is missing some emotions or words, she goes back to edit it.
When you are almost done with a book, you can look at words one by one and make it more exciting.
I can write any type of book of my choice, from picture books to chapter books, nonfiction books to novels and I can do my own research.
About researching for writing…
When you are researching and writing the books, you can take a very, very long time.
You need a lot of research to write a book.
You research for a long time before you start writing.
Writers get their research from people they know or sometimes traveling because it’s easier to write with a visual.
I learned to research before you write a book. You can read a book, go to a conference and you can go online or visit a place.
I should study for a book so it seems real. You should read books to get information; you can also use an iPad and an expert.
When she is done with her draft but she feels like she is missing some emotions or words, she goes back to edit it.
When you are almost done with a book, you can look at words one by one and make it more exciting.
I can write any type of book of my choice, from picture books to chapter books, nonfiction books to novels and I can do my own research.
About researching for writing…
When you are researching and writing the books, you can take a very, very long time.
You need a lot of research to write a book.
You research for a long time before you start writing.
Writers get their research from people they know or sometimes traveling because it’s easier to write with a visual.
I learned to research before you write a book. You can read a book, go to a conference and you can go online or visit a place.
I should study for a book so it seems real. You should read books to get information; you can also use an iPad and an expert.
Our students have lots of messages for Ms. Look, what they liked about the visit, her books, her writing, sharing many compliments and showing generally much appreciation for the inspiration they got from meeting her. Here are some of the messages:
The Skype was so much fun!
You made most of us laugh and inspired us to read more of your books and go to your website.
I really like talking to you because you have a kind and jolly personality and I like learning about you.
The Skype was fun because you showed us lots of fun things about you.
We really want to Skype you again!
I enjoyed the Skype call; you made me laugh so hard! ;)
I really like how you explain everything in detail.
I enjoyed the Skype because you answered a lot of questions and we found out many things.
You made most of us laugh and inspired us to read more of your books and go to your website.
I really like talking to you because you have a kind and jolly personality and I like learning about you.
The Skype was fun because you showed us lots of fun things about you.
We really want to Skype you again!
I enjoyed the Skype call; you made me laugh so hard! ;)
I really like how you explain everything in detail.
I enjoyed the Skype because you answered a lot of questions and we found out many things.
We love your books and you are an amazing author!
You have great books.
You should try to write another Alvin Ho book because people who really like Alvin Ho really want to read more.
I enjoyed reading your books but maybe you can write more picture books.
I wanted you to know that we all like Alvin Ho and Ruby Lu. And we all want to thank you for giving us extra time in the Skype.
I love your Ruby Lu books; they are one of my favorite series.
I like your books because they have emotions and are funny and interesting.
I like how you make chapter and picture books.
Your books are full of details and emotions.
I really like your books because they are inspiring because you seem to write books your own way (even though you like reading more).
You are a great author!
You are very good at making characters.
You are my favorite author so far because your books are so interesting.
You are the best author I ever heard about. And I loved the Skype.
Thank you for writing all the wonderful stories!
You have great books.
You should try to write another Alvin Ho book because people who really like Alvin Ho really want to read more.
I enjoyed reading your books but maybe you can write more picture books.
I wanted you to know that we all like Alvin Ho and Ruby Lu. And we all want to thank you for giving us extra time in the Skype.
I love your Ruby Lu books; they are one of my favorite series.
I like your books because they have emotions and are funny and interesting.
I like how you make chapter and picture books.
Your books are full of details and emotions.
I really like your books because they are inspiring because you seem to write books your own way (even though you like reading more).
You are a great author!
You are very good at making characters.
You are my favorite author so far because your books are so interesting.
You are the best author I ever heard about. And I loved the Skype.
Thank you for writing all the wonderful stories!
You have inspired us as writers!
I really like the Alvin Ho series and I’m really interested that he was inspired by a real boy. I also think that the color-coding idea is cool and I will also use it.
I will also bring a writer’s notebook wherever I go.
You did a great job on the Skype, giving me ideas, laughing, and inspiring my writing for the future.
You have inspired me to always carry a writer’s notebook and color-code ideas to write more stories.
From your books I have gotten inspiration about how to write a book.
You helped me write better stories with all of your amazing helpful tips.
I have a connection with you: I play golf too and you make me want to write chapter books.
You inspired me to keep reading and writing, no matter what!
I look up to you as my role model. Your books will always inspire me to read and write.
I really like the Alvin Ho series and I’m really interested that he was inspired by a real boy. I also think that the color-coding idea is cool and I will also use it.
I will also bring a writer’s notebook wherever I go.
You did a great job on the Skype, giving me ideas, laughing, and inspiring my writing for the future.
You have inspired me to always carry a writer’s notebook and color-code ideas to write more stories.
From your books I have gotten inspiration about how to write a book.
You helped me write better stories with all of your amazing helpful tips.
I have a connection with you: I play golf too and you make me want to write chapter books.
You inspired me to keep reading and writing, no matter what!
I look up to you as my role model. Your books will always inspire me to read and write.
Again a big, big THANK YOU, Lenore Look, for allowing so much time for the Skype, for answering so many questions, and for inspiring our readers and writers!
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