What to say at a school?

[peekaboo]

I just published my first YA fantasy and I've been asked to speak at a few schools in my hometown. They want to rotate the students through the media center to spend time with an author who grew up where they are growing up. I have a few ideas, but was wondering if anyone out there had any ideas that might impact the students? You know, attention getters, etc.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Actually, they'll probably have so many questions you can just about fill your time with Q & A.

[Mark Robson]

Whatever you talk about, make it interactive. Ask them lots of questions to get them involved. It keeps them alert and interested. My attention getters are fairly unique due to my background, so they are unlikely to apply.

[Teresa Edgerton]

Originally Posted by Mark Robson

Whatever you talk about, make it interactive. Ask them lots of questions to get them involved. It keeps them alert and interested.

I've noticed that the kids get restless when waiting their chance to ask a question, so I usually let them begin right after I tell them a little about myself. When I ask them questions, they aren't always so eager to answer. But your questions are probably better than my questions, Mark, since you do this all the time, and years may pass between my school visits.

[peekaboo]

Y'all are great - thanks for the encouragement!

[The Ace]

Reminds me of a science teacher I got in first year. First day, he walks into the classroom, points to a victim at random and says, "What is the root of Science ?"

The predictable reply, "I don't know."

He let the rest giggle for a moment, then holds up his hand for silence;

"Why are you laughing ? That's the right answer. You don't know. Everything in Science comes from not knowing why things are as they are and trying to find out."

A bit brutal, but every one of us remembered the lesson.

[sushil]

Originally Posted by The Ace

Reminds me of a science teacher I got in first year. First day, he walks into the classroom, points to a victim at random and says, "What is the root of Science ?"

The predictable reply, "I don't know."

He let the rest giggle for a moment, then holds up his hand for silence;

"Why are you laughing ? That's the right answer. You don't know. Everything in Science comes from not knowing why things are as they are and trying to find out."

A bit brutal, but every one of us remembered the lesson.

Wow!!! great chapter

[Alia]

Originally Posted by peekaboo

I just published my first YA fantasy and I've been asked to speak at a few schools in my hometown. They want to rotate the students through the media center to spend time with an author who grew up where they are growing up. I have a few ideas, but was wondering if anyone out there had any ideas that might impact the students? You know, attention getters, etc.

Congrats, peekaboo on such a great honor. I hope you will let us know how it went.

[Old Owl]

jus read them your book hehe

[Lioness]

As a student, though I may be a bit different from the rest, I'm interested in the process the writer goes through to write the book. The time they spend, how their ideas develop, etc.
Maybe you could ask them something like 'who here is a writer?' and then build on that.