Dear 5th Graders at Independence Elementary,

I had such a great time meeting you on September 9, 2009 and sharing with you why I write. Hopefully, I have helped you think about why you might want to be a writer one day, too.  It’s very hard work, as you saw–you may not even like writing–AND it requires a lot of perseverance.

But there is nothing like being able to tell a good story and sharing it with others.

I hope the students who told me they were writing their own stories will finish them. Work hard, keep writing, and keep revising! I think it is awesome that you guys are getting such a head start. I wish I had known when I was in fifth-grade that I’d become a writer. Think of how many more books I would have out by now!

It was a pleasure meeting all of you!

Special thanks to Ms. Spomer and the third grade students who shared their stories with me in the morning.  Ms. Spomer rocks as always. And of course… Ms. Tosto who helped make it all happen for you guys! The wonderful thank you letters her students wrote demand my response, so here they are….

P.S. Blake, I think that’s a very good idea about the novel you are thinking of.

P.P.S. Ben, you are right on about the Dare.

P.P.P.S. Andrew, suspense is one of my favorite genres, too!

P.P.P.P.S. Happy B-day, Emily and we’ll see about PARIS PAN 2. I still need to finish this one other book first!  Good suggestion though!

P.P.P.P.P.S. Tary, isn’t that interesting about Paolini?  And it was just a summer project. WOW!

P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Kelly, keep working on that book! Dedication is half the battle!

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.S. Elijah, I’m glad to hear it! And I hope I still have 100 more good books in me. That’s a lot of work!

P.P.P.P.P.P.P.P… ..you get the idea.  Chase, family members and fellow classmates make GREAT material. Just be sure to change the names. And make the names really different from the people you know in real life (and don’t tell them you are writing about them unless you think they will think that’s cool).

P.P….S. Samantha,  I’m sooo glad the author visit wasn’t boring. Who likes to listen to boring authors? Not me!  Glad you liked Paris Pan!

P.P….S. Gabby, very interesting title for your book. I hope you write it, and keep writing, and keep revising. Way to go, girl!

P.P….S. Courtney, thanks so much for taking me to the teacher’s lounge. I really hope your story comes along well! I’m glad you got some new ideas for it from the visit. Awesome!

P.P….S. Erin, I loved how you signed your note, “A future author.”  I know that will come true for you one day if you keep writing, revising, and believing!

P.P….S. Averie, I hope you read THE GREAT CALL OF CHINA. It’s a very different book. The kind that might make you cry even. Write me after you read it and let me know if you liked it.

P.P…S. Elle, recurring dreams make great material for books! When I wrote Paris Pan, I would sometimes dream up new scenes in my sleep. So go with that! I hope you write lots and lots of books!

P.P…S. Hanson, Iswai, Joey: I hope you enjoy the rest of PARIS PAN, and those questions during the quiz were really hard, weren’t they? I did that on purpose because I enjoy making you all think! Next time, I will make them even harder. I enjoy watching you all squirm!

P.P…S. Kevin, thank you for the compliment! Now start writing!

P.P…S. Kyle, it would be cool if PARIS PAN were a movie! I’ll have my people talk to your people and see if we can get that going. Actually, PARIS PAN is being considered for film. So please cross your fingers for me!

P.P…S. Supreet, I enjoyed meeting you and I am so glad you think I look like I’m in my 20s! What a compliment! It was an honor to meet you, too.

P.P…S. Conner, I hope my new book comes out, too. But I have to finish writing it first and that could take me a while!  Boo! Enjoy the rest of PARIS PAN!

P.P…S. Robert, thank you for the kind words! Your fan – Cynthea

P.P…S. Tivona, you asked some great questions. Almost all of them are answered in my book WRITING FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS: A CRASH COURSE. But in short–no, you don’t have to have an agent, and the time it takes to become an author varies a lot. It depends on how quickly you write/revise and whether or not you send your book to the right editor at the right time. So check out the Crash Course if you are interested in learning about the details behind the submission process. Good luck with your writing!

P.P…S. Ryan, I LOVE animal stories. Did you know the first book I ever wrote was about animals? I haven’t finished revising it yet, but when I get that one done, I will be soooo excited to see it as a real book.  So I think your plan is a good one. Now write that book!

P.P.S-to-Infinity!  Thank you, Ms. Tosto, for having me out to see the fifth grade. The day was wonderful and you helped make it special for everyone!

Kids, did you hear that? You should all be clapping for Ms. Tosto now. *Clap, clap, clap—Huzzah!* I hope to see you all again one day!

Your fan,

Cynthea

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