Huron Expositor, 2006-06-07, Page 29News.
Children's author speaks to St. Columban students
Hilary -Long
Students at St. Columban School
were treated to a special guest
speaker as part of Literacy Week on
May 24.
Librarian Katie Dobson ` said the
school was very fortunate to have
author Eric Walters talk to the stu-
dents during Literacy Week.
"We're celebrating it with an
author that the kids know and
appreciate," she said, adding, "hope-
fully this will inspire to read and
write more."
Walters, from Mississagua, has
written about 48 children's books
and has about three in the works.
Many of the students at the school
have read the novels available in
the school's library.
"We often don't have: enough," said
Dobson.
Walter, a former teacher, engaged
the students in stories' about some
of his most popular books and how
he got started writing.
While teaching a Grade 5 class of
reluctant readers and writers in
1993, Walters encouraged them to
be more involved in literature by
creating a novel, his first called
Stand Your Ground, for the class.
Since then, Walters' books have
all become best sellers and he has
won more then 30 awards. His
classrooms are now gyms and
libraries, like those at St.
Columban.
The presentation to the students
gathered was a blend of drama, sto-
rytelling, audience participation
and interaction.
Not only does he want the stu-
dents to hear about his books, he
wants them to become excited about
the writing process and how they
can become more enthusiastic about
writing.
The 49 -year-old author said, "Just
because I have to grow old doesn't
mean that I have to grow up." In his
many roles as parent, teacher, social
worker, youth sports coach and
writer he said he is in constant con-
tact with children and young adults.
He said draws from these experi-
ences and feels that this helps him
to capture the realistic interaction
between young people the con-
flicts, tensions, stresses and inter-
ests that make up their lives.
Walters said one of his favourite
things about
writing is doing
the research,
which often
involves experi-
encing and talk-
ing to people
about the things
his characters
are going to
experience.
" F o r
Diamonds in the
Rough, I went into
a rather nasty
biker bar in down-
town Toronto, sat
there with my pen
and paper and
ordered a coke.
Five bikers came
over to my table
and demanded to
know I was doing.
As one of them
threw my pad on
the floor, . I start
explaining. He
picked up my
paper, brushed it
off and said, 'We
can tell you some
stories.' I love
when people tell
me stories," he
said.
Walters told the
students he dis-
likes the editing
process. "I'm
never happy when
editors suggest
changes. My ini-
tial response is
annoyance
because it's writ-
ten and I'm
through with it."
But he said the changes are
always good and the product is
always right.
"I've never met an editor who did-
n't make such a positive impact on a
book through the changes they sug-
gest," he said.
"My job is to teach something
about creative writing and story
development, how you develop a
character or where stories come
from - newspaper articles, family
histories," he said.
He said his favorite book is the
•one he is writ-
ing, and that it priratch 8e Er69
is always Chang -
Hilary Long photo
Author Eric Walters speaks to students at St. Columban
school recently with several of his children's books.
an eagle.
"The most important thing any-
body ever told me about writing was
to write what
you know and
the only way to
get to know
things is to do
your homework
and research
before you
write," Walter'
said.
for
•
ing. But when Shannon Austin
asked which &1
book is closest to Mark Calder
him, Walters IFSat. June 10, 20061
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For tickets call Mark, 887-6009
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