Back to School by Kai Strand (American author).

There are many enjoyable aspects to being an author. Developing characters and creating new worlds out of absolutely nothing are a couple of my favorites. But getting out there and meeting readers tops the list. And of all the ways to meet readers—book signings, book fairs, cons—classroom visits are the ultimate experience.

By the time I get to the classroom, the teacher who graciously invited me, has set aside time in their busy day just for me. Which affords me the time to really visit with the students. Sometimes I talk about my books, the writing process, or maybe I’m there to discuss a specific thing, like editing or strong word choice. Regardless of why I’m there, I’m interacting directly with the students the entire time.

Signings, fairs, and cons offer such a limited amount of time to speak with each person, because there is more for them to see and (hopefully) more readers waiting for a little of my time. But classroom visits give me twenty minutes, a half hour, an hour of focused time with the students.

They ask me who my favorite authors are. “Maggie Stiefvater and Jonathon Stroud are among the many.” And then I get to follow that by, “Who are some of yours?” Their answers spark mini—sometimes passionate—discussions about specific books. I get to find out what their favorite genres are or if they prefer non-fiction or if they listen to audiobooks. In short, I get to connect, and I love that so much.

I often read from one of my books and I eat up their reactions. Nothing is more pleasing than for the room to erupt in disappointment when I stop reading and to hear cries of, “What happens next?”

I’m an author, it’s my job to soak up character fodder, and classrooms are bursting with it. Though I never create a character from a single person, I add tidbits of character traits from the gazillions of people who have crossed my path in life. How else to write a more authentic pre-teen or teenager than to create one teaming with the awesome traits I’ve experienced in classrooms around the world. (I can say that since I’ve Skyped with students in France. *Grin*)

Even though I’m not a well-known author, I’m thankful to say I’ve been in a lot of classrooms. But it’s never enough. I’m ever so grateful to the teachers who make time for me in their class. I hope they understand how much it means to me.

If you keep reading, I’ll keep writing. – Kai

About the author:

When her children were young and the electricity winked out, Kai Strand gathered her family around the fireplace and they told stories, one sentence at a time. Her boys were rather fond of adding, “And then everybody died. The end.” Now an award-winning children’s author, Kai crafts fiction for kids and teens to provide an escape hatch from their reality. With a selection of novels for young adult and middle grade readers Kai entertains children of all ages, and their adults. Learn more about Kai and her books on her website, www.kaistrand.com.