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Christy Evans | Middle-School Confidential - An Optimist is Born
April 14, 2011
Yesterday I did my first school visit as an author. The occasion was the career
fair at my great-niece's middle school. Yeah, my sister is old enough to
have a granddaughter in middle school! The PTO (Parent Teacher Organization) was looking for people with interesting
jobs to serve as presenters for their eighth-grade career fair. Although I live
100 miles away, I raised my hand and volunteered to take a day off from the day
job and show up. Besides, it would give me the opportunity to combine the trip
with a visit to local bookstores, so I would get double use of my travel time. I asked them to list my job title as "Mystery Writer," figuring that
might sound more exciting than "Published Author." Or at least
friendlier somehow. In the days leading up to the event I found myself worrying about a million
things. What if I dressed like a dork? What if they didn't want to know about
writing? What if they thought writing wasn't cool? What if nobody talked to
me? Good grief! It was like being in junior high all over again! The big day finally arrived. I put on my best outfit, loaded up a bag of books,
my laptop, and my Kindle. I figured if everybody ignored me I could always work
on the latest book, or read the newspaper. I think that was the same defense I used in junior high, too. I arrived at the school a little before the 9:30 start time, and was admitted to
the gym foyer by one of the parent volunteers. She asked if I was one of the
"vendors" which completely threw me. I managed to stammer out that I
was there for the career fair, but couldn't for the life of me come up with the
word "presenter." I was directed to a table where they gave me an adhesive name badge, and showed
me a map of the gym. There were tables around the entire huge room, with a
different person as each one. There were representatives from banks and a local
retail chain, along with EMTs, police, military, lawyers, engineers, salespeople
- a wide variety. I found my table between a professional musician (viola) and
the local librarian, who was in charge of children's services and seemed to know
every kid that came by. I spread out my books, impressing myself with the range displayed. I hadn't
taken anything I would worry about a young teen picking up, but I still had a
dozen or more titles on the table. Two ALIAS novels, a couple STAR TREKs, a
sweet romance, some fantasy anthologies, and the three-book mystery series. I was ready. And just as nervous as when I was meeting new kids in sixth grade. The kids came in two groups, one each hour. I have no idea how many kids were
in each group, but I'd guess fifty or so. They were brought it and released to
circulate around the room and talk to the people whose jobs they were
interested in. Then something amazing happened. They started coming by my table and talking to
me! Some of them picked up books and asked about them. A couple even took
business cards with my email address. And one even read the blurb on one of the
mysteries and said she would go look for it. But that wasn't the best thing. The best thing was their questions, and the things they told me. One girl spent
several minutes talking to me about the book she's writing. She told me she
writes adventure games with her friends, and she wanted to be sure she didn't
take her friends' ideas for her book. She didn't want it to be too
"Twilight-y" either. I admit to being very impressed with her resolve
to do original work. I answered the "Where do you get ideas?" question several times. I
understand it; I had the same question when I started writing. I told them to
keep asking "Then what?" or "What if?" and to read and
listen and watch what goes on around them. Ideas are everywhere if you are open
to them, but that kind of curiosity needs to be encouraged. Another question I got a lot was "What kind of college do you need?"
I told them they didn't need a degree in English to be a writer, and bolstered
that with the evidence that my degree is in Accounting. I told them to study
what interested them, whether that was history, or mathematics, or engineering.
Everything you learn will feed your writing. One kid asked me how much free time I had. Not wanting to go into an
explanation about balancing a day job and a writing career, I told him I had as
much free time as I wanted. But when I took free time I wasn't making any
money, and if I took too much free time I wouldn't be able to pay my bills. They asked about job satisfaction, what I liked best about my job, and about
financial security. Try explaining the roller-coaster-ride that is freelance
income to a thirteen-year-old in less than two minutes! Several asked which of the books on the table I had written, and I was able to
proudly say, "All of them." That got some surprised, and respectful,
looks. They wanted to know how long it took to write a book, how long it took to get it
published, and which book was my favorite. Most of all, they wanted to know what working as a writer was like, and they had
good questions. Clearly, they had been discussing the career fair in class, preparing a list of
general question. Some of them read from their lists, or consulted their
notes. Some of them asked a question or two and moved on, but some lingered for
several minutes, asking more questions, like the girl who was writing a book and
wanted to talk about it. I don't know if any professional writers will come out of the classes I talked
to yesterday, but I do know this: There are some really bright, level-headed, curious, and engaging youngsters out
there. Our world will be in their hands soon. And after yesterday I have a
good feeling about that. Thanks, Rosemont Ridge Middle School, for reviving my optimism!
Christy Evans and
Christy Fifield are the mystery-writing alter egos of romance and sci-fi
novelist Christina F. York. Together they live with national best-selling
novelist, and husband, J. Steven York, within the sound of the surf that
pounds the scenic Central Oregon Coast. Evans is the Berkley Prime Crime author of the popular Lady Plumber Mystery
series (SINK TRAP, LEAD PIPE CINCH, DRIP DEAD), and Fifield is
writing the Haunted Gift Shop series for Berkley, which will debut in 2012 with
MURDER IN A SHOT GLASS. York has published sweet romance (DREAM HOUSE) and has
several romance novels out from indie publisher Tsunami Ridge. Christy can be found at www.ChristyMystery.com, or YorkWriters.com. You can
follow her on Twitter as christy mystery. Christina hangs out on Twitter.
Comments
32 comments posted.
Re: Christy Evans | Middle-School Confidential - An Optimist is Born
I think that being at a funtion like that would be worse than being at a book signing or a convention. Kids can be so unpredictable, but it looks like things turned out well for you, and in that respect, I'm happy for you!! There are some very smart kids out there, and they're at that age where they're very impressionable. Congratulations on your new book. I love the cover, and can't wait to read it!!
(Peggy Roberson 9:33am April 14, 2011)
Thanks for the comment, Peggy. The visit was nerve-wracking for sure, but the kids were great! I love the covers myself - the artist is a fabulous guy named Brandon Dorman (he's got a gallery on the Web) and the cover designer did a great job. Enjoy!!
(Christina York 12:30pm April 14, 2011)
I think it's just wonderful that you take the time to educate kids about your books and being an author. Maybe someday, some of them will follow in your footsteps.
(Cheryl English 2:05pm April 14, 2011)
And Middle School kids can still be excited about new things! I'm sure you sparked some new writers! Update us if you hear more from any of them...
(Cate Sparks 2:59pm April 14, 2011)
I don't blame you for being nervous/apprehensive. Kids can be so critical, yet I am sure they were interested in what you had to say. It's important for adults to "reach out" to kids and talk with them like you did. I bet you created an interest in many of them to read more and possible try to "author" or write more.
(Leanna Morris 3:54pm April 14, 2011)
I am interested, I've never seen your books. They look like good reads!!!!!!!! I do hope I win them........as we all do..lol
(Joanne Bozik 3:56pm April 14, 2011)
I've heard that middle schoolers are the hardest age group to reach so you should consider yourself a big success---plus just think how much you learned from them, maybe even something that you can use to inspire another good book.
(Sue Farrell 3:57pm April 14, 2011)
I love the titles of your books and look forward to reading them. The cover art pops!
(Ivy Pittman 3:59pm April 14, 2011)
Welcome to my world! As a teacher, I get insane questions some days, and mine are high schoolers. Kudos for going and opening their minds to the world of writing. Thanks for going there.
(Renee Brown 4:00pm April 14, 2011)
It's great to read about how interesting they were and how much they got into it! I have known a number of middle schoolers who will barely make conversation and never read. THAT makes me sad. Your column gives me hope!
(Robin Daily 4:27pm April 14, 2011)
Wow, I'm impressed with all the great advice you gave and patience you had to take the to give them that great advice. Most kids just want the question to be acknowledged and a lot of times adults just brush them off. Kudos to you!!!
(Felicia Plastini 4:38pm April 14, 2011)
Anyone that spends time with middle schoolers and enjoys themselves is a hero in my book!
(MaryEllen Hanneman 4:44pm April 14, 2011)
Sounds like it was a fun day for both you and the kids. We never had anything like that when I was in school. I hope it encourages the kids to read mysteries. Just remember we're still like the kids ... only a little older.
I have Sink Trap but haven't read it yet. I love cozy mysteries. I didn't know you wrote stuff like Star Trek and other sci fi/fantasy, but I think I read about you also being known as Christina York.
(Michelle Fidler 4:50pm April 14, 2011)
Yes, Michelle, the Christina F. York that writes SF/F and Star Trek is also me. I took some of the Trek books with me and met a couple Trek fans at the Career Fair.
Robin, I wasn't expecting them to carry on conversations, but I was really pleasantly surprised at how easily they interacted with the adults.
The kids were great, and I'll go back next year if they invite me.
(Christina York 5:21pm April 14, 2011)
Enjoyed your comment about Career Day at school. I'd like for my 8th grade grandson to show even a little excitment about books.
(Sheila True 6:10pm April 14, 2011)
Good for you, encouraging young people to read!
Blessings,
Marjorie
(Marjorie Carmony 6:18pm April 14, 2011)
Sheila, I know exactly how you feel! It took a while for my daughter to find her way into reading. My feeling is that if they are reading ANYTHING - comic books, blogs, magazines - it's going the right direction. Maybe you can find something he's excited about - a novel or graphic novel based on a game he loves, a story based on his favorite TV show, or the novelization of a movie he likes - and get him started that way. I do know - from my experience with my daughter - that once they understand reading can open up new worlds or explore ones they already love, the battle is over.
Good luck!
(Christina York 6:56pm April 14, 2011)
Wonderful to be able to share with children who actually had intelligent questions to ask.
(Susan Driskill 7:01pm April 14, 2011)
I am really impressed by the student reactions. I wish we would have had career days in school when I attended. I would have loved to had an opportunity to meet an author like you; perhaps I would have been a writer. I am an avid reader and take a book along wherever I go; am happy to see that the youth of today are interested in reading and writing!
(Jody Hollenbeck 7:18pm April 14, 2011)
I tell anyone who asks: It doesn't matter if a child is reading Archie or Robert Munsch so long as they are reading!
(Diane Sadler 7:20pm April 14, 2011)
Middle schoolers can be a scary group. Glad you had the courage to meet them & find out how great they can be. Would love to win your books. Plumbing - a new adventure....
(r w 8:29pm April 14, 2011)
Oh Christy, It takes a brave soul to venture back down the halls of middle school. The minds of the younger people are
so much more advanced than when I was there. You did a wonderfuf explaination of writing, etc. Just being honest and telling it like it really is did you proud. They will remember you in many years to come.
(Rosemary Simm 8:31pm April 14, 2011)
Kids are so cool sometimes. I volunteer at my daughter's school and I am always amazed! Love the cover!
(Jennifer Beyer 8:46pm April 14, 2011)
Sharing your passion is never a bad thing. It's funny how when we are young it is about fitting in by "being unique the same your particular group is ie. all having the same unique hairstyle lol, when you become a grown up it's all about being unique for real, when it is actually cool to just be who you are!
(Darci Paice 9:21pm April 14, 2011)
I love a good mystery and I love dogs so of course I'd love to read these
(Catherine Myers 9:41pm April 14, 2011)
I do love a good mystery.
I would love to read these.
(Brenda Rupp 11:04pm April 14, 2011)
That is encouraging to know that there are kids out there who aren't just interested in computer games or only things digital, bec I know kids that don't want to write w/ hand and pen any more and mothers just encourages it, here's the keyboard, it's becoming a lost legacy of literacy in America while there are millions of kids else where who would be so thrill to have a book of their own to read and can write. I'm new to your books, but I'm a doggie person and seeing a Lakeland or is it an Airedale terrier on your covers, that caught my interest and curiosity, and mystery novels? I think I should check your "Plumber" series out. :)
(Joy Johnson 1:21am April 15, 2011)
Glad to see all the comments! This was a great experience. I know there are kids who are not interested in books and reading, but I really believe there is a way to reach nearly every one. I would encourage anyone who loves reading to spend some time with the kids in your life and find something you can share with them.
Thanks, everyone, for coming by today, and for reading and commenting. I hope some of you will find the Lady Plumber boos and take a look!
Best Wishes,
Christina York/Christy Evans/Christy Fifield
(Christina York 3:45am April 15, 2011)
I work in a local Junior school in England (age 7-11). I work with the 9-10 year olds and they are amazing. The questions they ask and they will not be fobbed off! They are so interested in lots of different things and it is amazing to realize that I am helping to shape them. My youngest daughter (18 now) learned about Egypt in year 3(age 7) and has since wanted to be an Egyptologist - she is just about to sit her exams before University and this is still her job choice - AMAZING.
(Barbara Hanson 9:46am April 15, 2011)
It's good to hear about good and smart kids. Too many negative stories nowadays on TV
(May Pau 9:50am April 15, 2011)
Joy, Georgie's dogs are Airedales named Daisy and Buddha. Buddha, the male, is sweet-tempered and obedient. Daisy however lives up (or down) to her name - never name a dog after a flighty fictional heroine!
I think my wonderful artist did a great job, and I am sure that it's Daisy on the covers. Buddha would never be so badly behaved!
(Christina York 4:05pm April 15, 2011)
The kids asked some revealing questions, obviously with a lot of thought behind them. Sounds wonderful!!
(Mary Preston 7:50pm April 15, 2011)
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