Interviews with a CMS Author
CMS Librarian, Mrs. Pettit, loves meeting with our talented and inspiring young writers. Enjoy these fun interviews that will definitely make you smile.
Stay tuned for more interviews this spring.
Jonathan Avila
A wave of destruction came to the Earth
In a form of a virus
We have fought each other with swords and guns
Our Nations spend time planning on how to
Kill their own kind
With weapons of warfare
Even though we are the same kind
We fear each other
We create countries to divide our people
We create our own destruction.
We create the sword
That will one day strike us all down
And this is unfolding now.
--Jonathan Avila, Grade 8, Untitled poem, 2021 Young American Poetry Digest Honoree
____________________________When I started this specific interview, I had no way of knowing how much it would affect me; how it would persist in my mind for days after. I want to thank all of our student authors for being so open about their thoughts and experiences, and most importantly, trusting us to receive these messages.
I’m particularly grateful to end the year with this one.
Hi Jonathan! Thank you so much for being here with me today, and a HUGE congratulations on being honored in the 2021 Young American Poetry Digest. Your untitled poem dealt with the pandemic, but you went deeper and addressed attitudes and behaviors witnessed on a social level as well. It made me curious about your thoughts and observations during the first half of this National crisis?
“Yeah, so I live in two places, both in Coronado and Barrio Logan. They are so different. I started to notice during the pandemic how different these two communities are, even though they are so close in distance. Even before covid, world leaders were always talking about making things better, but I just don’t see it. And when covid hit, everything got worse. Not everyone could work, or had a job. My mom used to work at this middle school, and it wasn’t the best. There were always shootings going on in the area. And it’s so different from Coronado, but why is that?”
Wow, I really appreciate that you’ve added these thoughts to the conversation right from the start. You’re showing me all your layers. How are you feeling about these issues today? How has your view changed or not changed?
“I would say that my feelings are sort of in the middle. So, I like to watch Star Trek, and Deep Space Nine is my favorite…. In the show, there are so many similarities to what just happened in real life. The dividing of the poor and the rich, the riots…. I’m so curious to see what will happen. I’m curious about how we’ll approach peace. One of my favorite quotes from the Marvel movie The Age of Ultron, is when Thor asks Ultron “If you believe in peace, let us keep it”, and Ultron replies, “I think you’re confusing peace with quiet.” There’s so much chaos.
What outlets did you use, and continue to use, to help you get through these times?
“So… I did go down a dark path for a bit there. Not super dark, but I found myself isolating. My family was noticing. I was feeling cold, and nothing registered, even on my face.Then I started weightlifting and lost 30 pounds, and I felt this new fire. Even on the hottest days when the metal from the bars would burn my skin, I just kept pushing. I’m Christian, and I kept asking God to give me all his strength, and I do believe he did. Then I started picking up new passions, like card magic. I always wanted to start a YouTube channel, and now I have. Before covid, I never would have taken the time to do these things. I kept asking God to fix me before I found these passions, not “fix me” as in, “I want to be normal”, but “help me feel better”. And those passions did help me. A lot.”
Jonathan…. Thank you so much for sharing this with me. I’m honored and thankful to hear these experiences. When we’re feeling dissociated, having those life rafts means everything, and I’m so glad you found yours. I know that you write on poetry boards a lot, did you find those to be helpful as well?
“Most of my work was posted on All Poetry, and I never posted my name, only ''Unknown”. I have a lot of views on politics and controversial topics, and I didn’t want people to know my name. The more I wrote, the more I noticed that I was feeling better after expressing myself.”
Jonathan, what inspires you?
“Politics. Number one is politics. Most of my poems are based on what political leaders are saying and doing, how the media is portraying it, and how the general public is absorbing it. And I love competitions, so I was driven to enter this poetry competition just from a competitive standpoint.”
Do you find writing easy or difficult?
“So, when I would write my poetry, I would write it on my grandpa’s phone under his notes and he’s the one who would post it online for me. I always feel like I have so much to say, so I want to say that there’s no difficulty in writing, but it all comes out of me so fast, it feels like it's not coming from me, if that makes sense.”
It does, it absolutely does. Do you show your work to anyone?
“I don’t typically show my work to a lot of people, because I’m pretty private about it. Which is why when I do post online I always give credit to “Anonymous” or “Unknown”. But at some point we all have to reveal ourselves, right? But I also think that…. Like, this poem I submitted, right? I didn’t title it, because, what does the poem mean to you? What would you title it? What would you say my poem meant to you?”
Do you want me to title your poem based on what it made me feel?
“Yeah, what did it really mean to you?”
Well…. I truly believe that every act, thought, and decision that we make is made out of either love or out of fear. Those are the only options. And I think your poem really highlighted what can happen to a collective when fear is predominant. So for me, I would title it, “Disquiet”, or “Discomposure”.
“There you go. Whatever this poem means to you, name it that.”
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Jonathan lives in both Coronado and Barrio Logan. Jonathan has a sibling named Joseph who is also a student at CMS. He has two dogs named Lucky and Charlie. When Jonathan was ten years old, he wanted to be a boxer. Today he still feels like he has that fighter spirit, so he likes the idea of bodybuilding or continuing with his card magic. Jonathan describes himself as a warrior and deeply rooted in his faith.
Elleaire Lyons
Take a walk with me, into nature
Let’s go back decades and decades
Where nature was once pure
Where highways were once rivers,
Houses were once trees,
And trash was just a mash of life.
Take a walk with me now,
And see how things have gone wrong,
You can see cans, bags, clothing and other things that don’t belong
People have stopped having a heart anymore.
Now the trash comes down like rain,
Great downpours.
--Elleaire Lyons 7th grade, A Plead for Nature is in Need (abridged)
____________________________Hi Elleaire! Thanks so much for being here with me today! I love that your writing samples were such a diverse mix: you sent me narratives and poetry, so I was able to see your writing as a whole, which was nice. And here’s what I noticed about you: you have this ability to size up content, connect the dots, and express your ideas in such a clear way, that I had no other choice but to be in those moments with you. So my first question to you is, how do you think that you developed this skill?
“I’m not honestly sure. I like to look at big world concepts and see how I can break it down into my own personal feelings about those realities, and then get my view across when I write it.”
I love that. Your mind is so logically organized. I would also like to note that you are very clearly passionate about “big ticket items” -- specifically, the environment, the pandemic -- Your pandemic piece made me wonder about your viewpoint and feelings during that time, and how they may have changed throughout its course?
“Once the pandemic hit California, people were obviously overwhelmed by the very unknown elements -- is this sickness going to happen to me? To those I care about? And as a student learning and having classes not in person, it flipped the whole learning process around for me. And I think everyone had to adapt and come together to help those that needed it, and those in their community. I think in a way it was a modern day renaissance.”
Talk to me about your poem, A Plead for Nature is in Need. Have you always been passionate about the environment? How did that develop for you?
“Yes, I’ve always been passionate about the environment. I think Earth is such a special place, so diverse and different from other planets, and it provides amazing life for us. But we are beginning to tap it’s resources, almost to an ending… I don’t want to say an ending… a struggle? To access resources that we rely on. I think that everyone needs to understand this level of use, because nature is so beautiful. If we continue to use it up, it will never be the same.”
Elleaire, the above questions weren't even on my list for the interview, but your writing made me so curious about you and your view on these matters. I’m so glad I asked them. You really are wise beyond your years, and I love that you are connecting these dots.
So bringing it back, I need to know if you write outside of school?
“I do. I like to journal on a daily basis because I am more of an anxious person. And as I’ve heard from many reliable sources, journaling helps with that. I also like to keep track of what I’m doing, and what my status is during the day. Also, I think it would be one of those nostalgic times to open the journals years later and see who you were.”
I love that answer so much. When you write in a journal, or write in general, how does that make you feel?
“Well, it depends on what the assignment is asking of me, either academically or otherwise. I feel free, especially when it comes to writing a narrative or poetry. When there’s assignments being asked of me, I still put in effort, but I’m always aware of those guidelines that I have, so I’m always trying to incorporate as much of my writing skills as possible into those pieces.”
Elleaire, what inspires you? What are you passionate about?
“I feel like I’m very fortunate to have such a great community surrounding me; opportunities provided to me by my parents, so I feel inspired to write about those opportunities, just like nature. It’s such a beautiful world we live in. I try to use my time to go outside, and live the life that nature can give. Spending time with my friends; enjoying family time...I think it's so important to have that.”
I’m going to ask you about reading, because I always ask this of my strong writers. Do you consider yourself a reader?
“I definitely would have considered myself a reader in the past. My elementary school really focused on reading and writing, and that was a subject we gave a lot of attention to. And when you do something everyday, I found that I was able to better incorporate my teachings from reading towards becoming a better writer. I do still try to read, but I’ve found that my time is getting shorter so it’s harder for me to sit down, relax, and focus on reading, which I really miss doing. I did read a book a couple of months ago that was amazing called, “If We Were Giants” by Dave Matthews and Clete Barrett. I loved that book.”
I loved that you mentioned repetition of reading in school curriculums, and I agree with you about there not being enough hours in a day for sure. Let’s talk about writers skills: what do you think are the most important tools to have in the writer's toolbox?
“I definitely think strong descriptions of the characters are important, as well as their interactions with other characters or places. I think that helps us really grasp who those characters are as a person, and it pulls us into knowing them better. Also, a great, intense plot line.”
What do you hope that readers take away from your writing, and on a larger scale, you as a person?
“When it comes to my writing, I want people to be aware of the concerns that I have, and try to relate to concerns that they may have. Hopefully, that can resolve some stress or unknown thoughts. Just connecting with the fact that there are problems in our world, and we need to make a change.”
Elleaire, I have so enjoyed getting to know and interview you today. I appreciate your honest and insightful answers, so thank you.
_________________________________________________________________________________________Elleaire lives in the Coronado Cays. She is an old child, but has four pets: An English Cream Retriever named Nilla, A Red Fox Labrador puppy named Brooks, who is super rambunctious, a Leopard Gecko named Nevil, and a Betta fish named Poseidon. When Elleaire was 10 years old she wanted many things: an artist, a writer (specifically a journalist), and a doctor. Today, she wants to be a professional golfer on the LPGA tour, since she’s super dedicated to the sport. So dedicated, that she frequently beats her father when playing and he gets really salty about it. Three words she would use to describe herself are: creative, efficient, and confident. Elleaire is most uncomfortable when she watches those phobia videos where they show you the ocean from an aerial view, and you see one person swimming with thousands of feet of darkness below them. Elleaire’s quirkiest habit is making Rube Goldberg machines, and this irritates her parents to no end since she uses all the tape in the house, and then they have no way to wrap last minute presents. If she could eliminate one thing from her daily schedule it would be homework -- think of all the things she could do if she had that time back! Elleaire is most annoyed by dirty glasses: On sunglasses, drinking glasses, and windows. She also is completely dismayed by dirty patio furniture, and frequently power washes her family’s set. It only lasts a day, but she feels so much better in that short amount of time. Elleaire most admires her parents for being her number one supporters and providing so many opportunities for her to flourish. In her eyes, they are absolutely amazing.
Honia Najmaldeen
Yellow Hearts
Yellow hearts, all above, these are what I love
Yellow is a smile, please stay for awhile
Yellow is classy, but it can be sassy,
Yellow like the flowers, this poem can go on for hours
Yellow like the stars and bright like the sun, on a Friday afternoon when the fun has just begun.
I see a yellow duck that has just changed my luck
I see yellow everywhere, even in the air
Yellow hearts to fill up my soul, big enough to achieve my goals
Yellow is my happy place, now put a smile on your face.
-Honia Najmaldeen, grade 6, Young American Poetry Digest Honoree
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Hi Honia! Thanks so much for being here with me. A HUGE congratulations to you for being published in the 2021 Young American Poetry Digest! I thought your submission poem, Why Can’t I Be Like a Sunflower had interlining layers and depth. What made you decide to enter the contest?
“ Well, I saw the announcement on PowerSchool and I thought, ‘What a great opportunity to show people what I can do’. After I submitted it, I honestly kind of forgot about the contest. When you contacted me to say that I was getting published, I was super surprised and happy.”
It’s so exciting when these opportunities present themselves, right? When you’re recognized for something that you maybe did just for fun, and then you realize, hey, I’m actually really good at this! Yay! I’m so happy for you. Have you written poetry in the past, or was this your first go at it?
“ I mean, I have...but they were when I was younger. And there wasn’t much thought behind what I was writing, you know?”
I do. Just getting our thoughts out. I do that as well. Let’s talk about reading, because I really think that reading and writing go hand in hand. Do you consider yourself a reader?
“ I do, yes. I love books.”
Do you write anything other than poetry?
“ Well, I mean….I’m really into music so I used to write songs. But they weren't all that great, so I don’t think I’ll say too much about that. A few years ago I made a comic book, so there’s that. I also made a short book for a friend who was moving away, kind of like a ‘thank you for being my friend’ thing.
That’s an amazing gift to a friend! And I like how you brought up songwriting, because there is a correlation to poetry. I mean, songwriters are poets for the masses; the intent is a direct connection to the heart and mind. So, that being said, I want to know what inspires your heart and mind?
“ Yellow makes me happy. Sunflowers. TV shows, like Stranger Things. Everything about it from the characters to the costumes, the acting...a lot of shows inspire me.”
Do you find writing easy?
“ It depends on what I’m writing. If it’s for school and it’s something basic, I can do that pretty quickly. But for poems…. I have to think about it. Where are the rhymes, how do I structure it so it makes sense...I know this is random, but I feel like naming poems is really hard. I just wanted to say that.”
No, I get that. I think most poets agonize over using the “right” word. Finding those words is communicating in the exact way we intend, right? That makes absolute sense. So let's talk about your process, how you find your right words.
“ What I do is, I start with my inspiration. Some of my poems are random, like Sunflowers. I did that poem because I love sunflowers and growing them. I wish I was a sunflower! I try to start with the titles before I do anything else, so I can structure from there. Once I’m done, I’ll go back and move sentences, change some words around. That way I can make it really good.”
Thank you for walking me through your process, I’m always curious about how each writer approaches the paper. Do you show your work to anyone?
“ Yes, the poem that was selected for the contest. I showed my friends, my sisters, my mom and dad, my neighbors. I even read it to my dog.”
That's wonderful! I’m so happy to hear that you have that pride in your work. It’s a beautiful thing. Do you think that you’ll continue to write poetry?
“ Yeah, I will. It’s a fun thing to do.”
Of all the poems you’ve written, which one was your favorite?
“ Well, other than the sunflowers one, I would say Yellow Hearts. I liked that one.”
It sounds like a song title…
“That’s because it is!”
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Honia lives in Coronado. She has two sisters, two birds, and a dog. When Honia was 10 years old, she wanted to be a lawyer. Today she wants to be an actor, because she loves acting and singing. Words Honia would use to describe herself are caring, and….lemonade (‘Why lemonade?’ ‘Everything around me reminds me of lemonade...it’s the only thing I like drinking, I like everything around me to be yellow, my yellow bird is in a pink cage and that reminds me of pink lemonade. Lemonade is happiness. It gives me beachy vibes.’) Her hidden talents include crocheting, sewing, and playing basketball. On Sunday mornings you can usually find her at her friends house watching TV, getting ready to go to Starbucks or shop somewhere. Honia is annoyed by people coming into her room and not shutting her door, or when people turn on the lights in her room when she’s watching a show. Or people who eat her food. (‘I made this food for me, get away from it’). She is most terrified of spiders. Her idea of a perfect day starts by waking up at 9:00 am, having a breakfast of pancakes and lemonade, and a chocolate croissant in the fridge for whenever she needs the perfect snack. Then she goes shopping all day, and money keeps magically appearing in her purse. And the stores are all having sales. For lunch, she hits up all the fast food places for french fries, and gets a Taco Bell pink lemonade slurpee because those are the best. She ends the day with bowling and a steak dinner.
Honia most admires her dad for always being there for her, and always making her laugh. “My dad is everything to me.”
Ella Smith
I almost died a hero
Children often dream of becoming heroes
I was no different
I wanted to be the number 1 hero
Everyone would love me
But as the saying goes
You die a hero
But I lived long enough to become the villain
Ella Smith, 8th grade, Die a Hero or Live Long Enough to Become the Villain, Young American Poetry Digest honoree
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I sat down with the fantastic and insightful Ms. Ella Smith to discuss the elements and style of writing.
Hi Ella! Thanks so much for being here with me today. First of all, I want to congratulate you on being published in the Young American Poetry Digest for 2021! This is such a cool accomplishment. So my first question is, what made you decide to enter the contest?
“ I entered when I saw the announcement on PowerSchool and I thought that it looked interesting, so I tried it out.”
Have you been writing poetry for a long time?
“Actually, no. The contest was the first time.”
Really?! Ella, that is so surprising to me. I’m holding several of your poems, and they are all so good. To me, poetry is looking at the story you want to tell and picking only the very best words you can to paint that picture, and thus creating the biggest emotions in your readers. No matter what happens you need to continue writing, because you have such an innate understanding of this. I’m honestly your biggest fan.
Let’s talk about books for a moment, because I think reading and writing go hand in hand. Do you consider yourself a reader?
“ Oh yeah, I read almost every single day. I read a lot of fantasy. I love those little libraries people have outside their homes, you know those ‘take a book, leave a book’ things? I love those. I just got a trilogy from there, and I’m in the process of reading those. I don’t really read poetry, although I loved poems as a kid. I think it's because they can be interpreted in so many different ways, depending on the lens the reader is looking through. I love the deeper meaning that goes below the surface.”
I agree! Poetry should hurt, even when it’s beautiful. Do you ever write anything other than poetry?
“ I don’t write a lot in my free time, I prefer reading. It’s funny, even though I’m a great reader I’m a horrible speller.”
I was too! I don’t necessarily think that they are mutually exclusive. When we read, if we’re really falling into the world, we aren’t paying attention to the things that are concrete. We’re focussing on the world the book is creating, or the way it’s making us feel. I get you.
Let’s talk about your inspirations, both in poetry and life. What inspires you?
“ As I mentioned before, I really love the fantasy genre. When I was younger, I read the Percy Jackson books, and those include a lot of mythology, and that’s where my ‘Persephone’ poem came from. I love her story. I also really liked Hades' story. Every other god has so many stories of them doing terrible things, and the one bad thing Hades did was kidnapping his wife. He was painted as such a villain, because he was the god of the underworld-- the god of the dead. And it made me realize, people are really scared of what they don’t know. And because no one knows what’s past death, we are supposed to fear him. I mean, maybe he’s just chilling down there being normal.”
I love what you just said, Ella. The idea of people fearing what they don’t know -- in this case, death -- people tend to villainize or judge because there’s power in that. There’s no power in the unknown, just fear, or the need to make sense of something that’s beyond us.
“ Yes! There’s so many references to Hades, when people are dying, their loved ones go down to the underworld to get their lost ones back, and Hades is all, ‘I’m sorry, but no” and then people have to make him the villain. But bringing someone back from the dead isn’t supposed to happen. I do not understand all the hate on Hades.”
Did you find it difficult to write poetry, or was it relatively easy for you? I ask because your approach to perspective seems very patient and forgiving. I imagine that it made your insight more expressive. What are your thoughts on this process?
“ I honestly sit down to write poetry by being inspired, usually by a quote I just read. For example, for my poem ‘Die a Hero or Live Long Enough to Become the Villain’, I saw that quote in a book I was reading and it kind of floored me. I was like, that’s such a deep thought, and it can be interpreted in so many ways, so I knew that I wanted to base a poem off that concept. The poem took about 5-10 minutes to write.”
Let’s expand on that...walk me through the process of writing a poem, how it develops for you.
“ I know that most people start with writing down a concept or storyline that they want to roughly follow, but for me, it always starts with the first line...or the title. That’s my inspiration for the structure. Then I work through the set up of the poem, line by line, in an order that feels chronological to me.”
I love that, thank you for walking me through your process. Do you show your work to anyone?
“I showed it to my grandma, because I love her, she’s great. And I also showed it to my cousin because she’s been bugging me to see it.”
I think you should show it to everyone! Start handing out your work to random strangers on the street! Do you think that you’ll continue to write poetry?
“ I really liked writing these, so I’ll probably continue. Just leave them all in a google doc folder until they’re maybe needed someday. I saw someone recently walking around with one of those mini journals, and they were writing all their inspirations in it. All the pages were filled with their growing ideas. It was really pretty.”
Of all your poems you’ve written, which one was your favorite?
“ ‘Die a Hero or Live Long Enough to be the Villain.’ Mostly because that was the one that slapped me like a bag of bricks in terms of inspiration, and I just had to stop everything to sit down and write it. For the poem ‘They Say When it Rains it Pours’, that one came out of me in the middle of nowhere. I was in the middle of class, and I had to just get it out.”
I love it! The teacher’s like, “What are you doing? We’re in the middle of math!”
“Exactly! ‘Hold on, I’m having an intense moment here!’”
Thank you so much for this interview, Ella. Every author interview is special to me, but this may be my favorite ever. You are the coolest.
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Ella lives in Coronado. She is an only child, and has a pet dog named Kong Kong that she has lovingly dubbed “Krusty Dog”. When Ella was 10 years old, she wanted to be a fashion designer. Today, she has no idea. Ask her in a few years. Three words she would use to describe herself are: inspired (insert short zoom tour of her room where I see her amazing ‘wall of trips I’ve taken’ polaroids), daydreamer, and….silver (“I don’t know why, but I feel like that word suits me. I think of fancy jewelry. It can be shiny or rusty, you know?”). Ella is most terrified of failure. But what that means to her is failure to create a life that allows her the freedom to do the things that inspire her. Her hidden talent is procrastination -- she gives herself an A+ on that. Ella’s pet peeves are when people look over her shoulder when she’s typing, being woken up for no reason (“I will straight up kick you”), or when she’s cleaning her room and her mom walks by and chirps, “DoN’t FoRgEt tO cLeAn YoUr RoOm!” Mom, don’t you see me moving these binders around? Her perfect day looks like this: “ You know those videos of people like, running through castles in beautiful dresses? That. And having a picnic and horseback riding. But with my two besties, because I can’t picture doing this alone. And maybe a photographer there to like, artfully arrange our hair all spread out on the grass.” Ella most admires her mother for everything she does to support her daughter.
Caroline Timmons
“Over the next few months we started online school and Ada and I continued to meet up, only now over facetime. Still things continued to improve and Ada and I were able to meet up in person and we eventually went back in person to school too. Currently, as I write this story 3 vaccines are out and both of my parents and grandparents are fully vaccinated. Also, I go to in person school 2 days a week.
I do not know the ending for this story, but I have faith that it will be a good one.”
-- Caroline Timmons, 6th grade, Yearbook essay
-----------------Hi Caroline! Thanks so much for being here with me today. I just want to say that when I finished reading your writing samples, my first thought was, “Wow! What a vivid imagination!” and your descriptions! Every sound, look, and action is described in such vibrant detail. Great job! I know this comes from reading, since you’ve been constantly checking out books from me this year. So my question is, what do books mean to you?
“ Books mean everything to me. I love to read. My bookshelves are way over filled. It’s my getaway...a new way to discover knowledge. If I’m having a bad day, I read. If I’m trying to get away from my brothers, I read.”
What was the book that started you on the path to loving books?
“I’ve been reading for a really long time, but if I had to say the book that changed it all for me, It would be the newer version of the Amelia Bedelia books. I loved those. That’s when I started reading every possible moment I had.”
When you reach for a book, what are you looking for?
“ I like things that aren’t like the real world, since that’s my getaway. So, I’m looking for worlds that are different from ours.”
What do you admire in other authors?
“ I really like vivid details. But I also very much embrace different types of books, like when there’s multiple perspectives.”
When you write, what influences you?
“Everything. This morning I had an idea for a story, and so I started writing down all these notes for the ideas I came up with. It’s based on running, and I thought of it when I was in a running club.”
What do you think makes a great story?
“ Diverse characters and a strong story are important. Also good writing. I think we notice when a writer isn’t a good writer”
If you could meet any author who would it be and why?
“I don’t know, I want to meet all authors. But lets see...Arthur Conan Doyle, Trenton Lee Stewart, and Shannon Messenger if I had to pick some.”
Okay...give me your top 5 books of all time. ONLY 5 CAN STAY, the rest goes away!
“[Gasps] What?! No! This is so hard!”
I know, I would never answer this question. Okay, you can keep anthologies.
“That's slightly better. Okay, I’m keeping The Mysterious Benedict Society series, When Friendship Followed me Home, the Tale of Magic series, The Nevermoor series, The Keeper of Lost Cities series.”
I know that was terrible. Let’s take some cleansing breaths…. When did you know that you had a talent for writing?
“I didn’t know, I really didn’t!”
You’re finding out today?! So many teachers mentioned you, you have a lot of supporters! Well then let’s make it official: On this day of April 19th, Caroline discovered that she was a talented writer, possessing vivid imagination skills and gorgeous descriptions. Well done!
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Caroline lives in Coronado. She has two younger brothers named Connor and Killian. She does not have any pets, because for the most part animals terrify her. When Caroline was ten years old she wanted to be an engineer and an architect, and that is still her goal. She is passionate about reading, writing stories, spending time with those she loves, architecture, sketching, and baking. Three words she would use to describe herself are: responsible, caring, and independent. Caroline is most terrified of dogs. When she sees them coming toward her, she goes wide and gives them LOTS of space. Her hidden talents include: Playing the violin (“I play it...but not very well”), being fluent in German, and having an impressive pen collection. On Sunday mornings you can usually find her reading in her bed. Caroline’s three biggest pet peeves are: When her brothers rub their feet on her pillow (!!), When Killian decapitates her Lego people, and when her brothers steal all her candy. Caroline’s perfect day looks like this: Reading all morning, skiing, then reading some more. She most admires her mom because she’s so friendly and outgoing, and always thinking of others.
Connor McKerring
“As Mr. John Montgomery examined the note, the town was on edge. In a town like this news spreads quickly. The note was crumbled, as if the killer did not have new paper and perhaps...used something older. The note was mostly in english except for the last line: “”todos sudan a los huesos de la Cruz” which in english “All hail the cross bones.” Mr. Montgomery clearly knew they were dealing with pirates. His first instinct was to examine the victim more and finish reading the note, but in the corner of his eye he saw something, or someone, dash away.”
-- Connor McKerring, 6th grade, The Mystery of Pirate Island
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Hi Connor, thanks so much for being here with me today. I noticed in your writing sample that you have Spanish speaking characters. Was this to add more realism to your work since the plot takes place in Venezuela? Are you Spanish speaking yourself, or just really good with Google translate?
“ Well, I wanted to add more realism to my piece. And yes, I’m pretty good with google translate.”
Why do you think details like this are so important to have in your work?
“ Well, I think your message can’t come through without these details. It makes it more believable that the characters would be Spanish speaking.”
Do you consider yourself a reader? Who are your favorite authors?
“Yes, I read some books, but not a ton. I'm reading the Trials of Apollo series right now. He’s [Rick Riordan] one of my favorite authors. I also really like J.K. Rowling.”
Do you think that you need to be an avid reader to be a good writer?
“I think you do, because… well, you can’t understand all the aspects that make something worth putting in your story if that makes sense. Reading gives you ideas on how to structure your own story, like flashbacks. And reading gives you a larger vocabulary which makes your writing better.”
What skills do you admire in other writers?
“I admire vivid details, like J.K. Rowling uses. Also, I like how Rick Riordan uses one word descriptions in his writing.”
Do you think an author should stay true to their originality, or give the audience what they want?
“I think you should always stay original. The fans may stop reading your books, but at least you don’t feel regret.”
What do you think is more important, being a good storyteller or being a good writer?
“I think it’s more important to be a great storyteller. It’s hard to be that one person who completely understands perfect sentence structure. I think imagination is super important.”
What influences you when you are writing?
“Sometimes it’s the writing itself. But this week, in that writing sample I gave you, I was inspired by a writing prompt Mrs. Bouwman gave us. We had finished a podcast that said to write a mystery story, so I just got the idea.”
Some authors have said that they don’t always know how a story is going to end when they start, sometimes they are just as surprised as the reader as they go along the journey, things just start to happen. Do you think that this is true?
“Yes, I do. I had no idea how my mystery story was going to end. I was just as surprised!”
What are your favorite genres? What is your least favorite?
“Fantasy and dystopian are my favorites. I also like adventure and graphic novels. But I dislike horror and historical fiction.”
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Connor lives in Coronado. He has a younger sister named Kennedy, and a dog named Poncho. When he was 10 years old, Connor wanted to be either a zoo keeper or a scuba diver. Today he likes the idea of being a zoologist or a chef. He’s been getting into Chopped lately, and his family has a “leftover Chopped” night where they have to create something new from leftovers. Three words Connor would use to describe himself are: imaginative, positive, and creative. Connor is most terrified of the idea of losing his family. His hidden talents include: Being a decent singer, great at Lego building, and good at art. On Sunday mornings, you can usually find Connor on the couch watching either Disney Plus (Marvel Universe or Star Wars: The Clone Wars) or Netflix (Avatar: the Last Airbender). Connor’s pet peeves include: People leaving their dog waste in his yard and not cleaning it up, or when friends come over and dismantle his Legos. Connor most admires his mom for taking care of their family for 14 years, and getting them all through hard times.
Phoebe Allari Smith
“ Poseidon had to make a choice that would end this battle. Without knowing what might come, he roared as loud as any immortal could.
There was complete power in his veins, and with all his willpower, Poseidon whipped his trident around to make the ocean come to his command. Seconds later there was a huge swirling whirl waiting for its first victims. Poseidon was still holding the great force and with all of his might he plunged the opponents into the whirlpool. It soon exploded into a million pieces of seaweed.”
-- Phoebe Allari Smith, 7th grade, Greek Myth Essay
___________This week, I sat down with 7th grader Phoebe Allari Smith to discuss the elements and style of writing.
Hi Phoebe! Thanks so much for being here with me today. I love how you use details and vocabulary to paint these vivid pictures in your writing. When I see this in student writing samples, I KNOW that I’m dealing with a reader. So I need to ask, what authors inspire you?
“ Rick Riordan definitely. I love Percy Jackson so much. He is such a descriptive writer and that helps me when I think about my own writing. I want my reader to feel like they’re there. I really look up to him because he’s such a good writer.”
What in your opinion makes a great story?
“ The ‘hook’ or the opening has to be strong. I’m pretty picky, and if a story doesn’t grab my attention in the beginning, I don’t like it. I think it’s important to really plan out your story so that there’s a flow. That's why I like Rick Riordan, I think he does that really well.”
In your opinion, what is the most overhyped book and why?
“ Oh! The Heroes of Olympus series. Sorry, I’m just now realizing that all of my answers are about Rick Riordan. To me, it was the same story as Percy Jackson with different characters.”
What are your favorite book genres? Least favorite?
“ My favorite is definitely fantasy [laughing], like Percy Jackson [“I promise that I’m putting this behind me now.”]. I like something that’s outside of normal. I also like comedy when it’s in dialogue. I don’t really like horror. One time I watched a horror movie about a doll and that picture is forever burned in my brain.”
Annabelle?!
“I’m not saying! No!”
[laughing] Ok, we’ll shelve that for now. What do you think are the most important skills for writers to have?
“ Descriptive emotions are important. Also, we learned in school about pacing and how the hook is in the beginning; this is where we learn about the characters. Then we have momentum and go up to the action, then we go back down to the conclusion.”
What do you hope that readers take away from your writing, and on a larger scale, you as a person?
“ Well, when I’m reading I really like humor. So I try to do that in my writing. I like putting in dramatic details to add suspense. So, I hope readers see my writing as impactful. I also hope that my writing leaves them with some kind of moral lesson.”
If you had the opportunity to live anywhere in the world, real or fictional, for one year while writing a story with the same setting, where would you choose and why?
“Oh! I’m not sure if this is what you mean, but I really like to go to my ‘happy place’ which is this imaginary place I see in my mind, and I think I would choose there. My happy place is a large weeping willow tree, the branches looming over me and almost hiding me in it’s protection. I imagine a large field that I can look out on, and there’s this like, gentle rain with gloomy skies that make me feel calm. I also see this secret compartment in the tree that has snacks for me.”
Like a Keebler Elf! Phoebe, do you know that in all the times I’ve asked this question to students, no one has ever given me a place that they made up in their own mind? I love this answer, and I can completely see you and your tree, munching on snacks in the calming rain. Thank you so much for painting that picture for me.
“ You’re welcome!”
_________________________________________________________________________________________Phoebe lives in Coronado on the busiest street in the world. She has an older sister named Lana, and a pet bunny named Styles [Not after Harry]. When Phoebe was 10 years old, she had no idea what she wanted to be, but she now thinks that she would like to be a historian. She loves seeing how much people have changed over time. Three words Phoebe would use to describe herself are: funny, clumsy, and caring. Phoebe is most scared of that haunted doll from the horror movie [ Mrs. Pettit: ‘Did she have long braids, a super creepy smile, and terrifying wide eyes?’ Phoebe: “Staaaaahp!”]. Her most quirky habits are sporadic dancing and making random monkey faces. Her hidden talent is being really good at juggling soccer balls. If Phoebe could eliminate one thing from her daily routine it would be extra screen time. On Sunday mornings you can usually find Phoebe watching Among Us while drinking chocolate milk and eating croissants in bed. Her biggest pet peeves include: when people cut her off when she's talking, and that sad moment when three friends are walking down the street and ultimately one of them has to walk behind or get pushed into traffic, or when she asks her mom to feed the bunny and her mom says, ‘What should I feed it?’ and she’s like, “You’re a BUNNY OWNER! You should know this!”. Phoebe most admires her friend Mary, because she’s such a great person who is always doing the right thing.
Mary Lund
“You must remember, Lady Kathleen, that if the enemies get this far, they will only have gotten past the outer curtain wall. If they had tried to breach the first defensive ring after somehow scrambling across the moat, they would have been stopped by archers in the arrow slits and embrasures on the top of your wall.
If thine enemies get to the inner curtain walls whether by breach, or the tearing down of Cair Parvel’s door, they will be stopped by the archers on the top of both walls and the towers on the defensive rings. If not all of them are killed by then, they will have to face the murder holes on the inner curtain wall…”
-- Mary Lund, 8th grade, Battle Plan Essay
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Thank you so much for being here with me today, Mary. The first thing I want to mention is that both of the writing samples you sent me were period piece assignments where you had to write as a person from the past. I was really amazed at your ability to do this authentically. In your opinion, what skills are necessary when writing historically accurate characters?
“ You really have to imagine that you’re there; that you’re in that situation. I also think it’s helpful to think about that character’s past, and what they hope for their future. My favorite books are historical fiction or period pieces, so I think proper language used during that time is helpful in creating that feeling for your readers.”
When did you notice that you had a talent for creating such authentic characters? That you were such a strong writer?
“ I think my fourth grade teacher Mrs. Keller -- she was so awesome-- she did the best ELA, and I think that she really got me excited about writing. Also, my family has a lot of books in our house. I feel like the more you read, the better you are at writing.”
I agree! Let’s piggyback on that, do you think you have to be an avid reader to be a successful writer?
“I think a lot of people do have to be good readers to be successful writers, but I also think that if you have really strong emotions, or a really good imagination, it doesn’t matter as much as long as you’re paying attention to detail.”
I like that you pointed that out, that people with strong emotions are already tapping into what makes people tick, and that can come through in their writing. Mary, who has inspired your writing?
“ I love J.K. Rowling’s writing style, so her for sure. Books that have inspired me are “Little Women” and “The Inquisitor’s Tale”. Poetry is really inspiring to me. I don’t like writing it, but reading it...yes. I like the older poets like Dickinson and Poe.”
What do you hope that readers take away from your writing, and on a larger scale, you as a person?
“ I hope that my writing is authentic enough that they can actually picture themselves in the story I’m creating. I also hope that I can leave enough for them to figure out, and create their own ideas of how certain things may look. This is why I always say read the book before watching the movie! What I hope they take away from me as a person, is my attention to detail. So hopefully they’ll see me as someone who is paying attention. To my characters, their minds, and everything around me.”
What a lovely answer. You mentioned some of your favorite authors and books, and the saying “read the book before you watch the movie”, so now I’m curious… if there is a book you would like to see adapted into a show or film?
“ Ok, yes. The Percy Jackson books. They may not be as detailed as J.K. Rowling’s books, but I do think that they have a strong story. The movies don’t follow the story at all, which is the best part. So, let's redo those movies. I also would like to see “The Keeper of the Lost Cities” series made into a movie. Oh, and “Where the Mountain Meets the Moon”
What do you think makes a good story?
“Details. Lots of details. And the characters… they add so much to the story, and if you don’t develop them well, or explain their backstory, how they became who they are…. I think those are the most important aspects to a good story.”
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Mary lives in Coronado. She has two younger sisters named Emma and Susan, and two adorable bunnies named Ricky and Pippy. Mary considers one of her hidden talents to be writing. Her quirkiest habits include: having to make her bed daily. Failure to do so leaves her stressed all day. She is also obsessively organized. Three words Mary uses to describe herself are: dedicated, athletic, and organized. She is hands down most terrified of sharks. The water won’t help you, humans. THERE IS NO WAY OUT. Her three biggest pet peeves are being in extremely loud noises like crowds or fire alarms, when people tell her how to take care of her bunnies (she knows how to take care of them. They don’t need water), and when teachers are answering a question while eating and they do that finger hook thing over their mouths? What is that, and why do they all do it? Mary admires so many people, but her cousin Lauren stands out, and also Emma Watson. Mary hopes to be remembered as a person who enjoys life, and does everything with love in her heart.
Selene Charron
" Hello admirers. It is I, The Greatest Pharaoh, *dramatic pause* THUTMOUS III! This is a good time to clap.
I have had a long rule, from 1429 to 1479 BCE, and now my time has come. I hope my burial chamber looks good.”
-- Selene Charron, Thutmous III essay
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Selene! I laughed so hard reading your writing sample. To me, comedy writing is one of the most difficult forms of writing, because you really have to understand the difference between structure and delivery. In my experience, successful comedy writers are non linear thinkers, and a little bit weird, right? In your opinion, how important is humor in writing?
“I think….humor is great, and it makes it nicer for the reader. You need that spice so it’s not boring, and it paints a better picture.”
Selene, I’ve had the pleasure of having you in Fantasy Book Club for a couple of years, so I know that you’re a voracious reader. Do you think that successful writers must be good readers?
“ For sure. I think that the writing style authors adopt becomes the book they always wanted to read. The ones that had never been written. Good books have a flow, you know? And I don’t think you can Mickey Mouse that. You have to read other books to understand that flow. Also, why write books if you don’t read them yourself?”
I love everything you just said. Of all the interviews I’ve done, no one has ever mentioned the idea that Authors write books for themselves. That being said, what books or authors have influenced your writing?
“ Hold on, I have a “favorite’s” shelf…. Let me go grab some books”
Wait, you have a bookshelf for just your favorite books? I’m stealing that.
“Yes (laughs). I loved “The Girl who Drank the Moon”. I also love Pam Munoz Ryan. I love how she incorporates matriarchal and woman heroes without becoming too serious. I like writers who make you think about important issues without making it seem like work. I notice when I look on my favorite’s shelf that most of the books I love have similar themes, like gender differences and expectations.”
Again, another great answer that shows incredible awareness. Let's talk about genres. Which ones do you love? Hate?
“ I’m not as experienced with genres, but I’d have to guess that my likes are pretty wide. I do like survival and realistic fiction. I love adventure and fantasy, humor, and books that make you think. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a book that I hated except for “The Giving Tree”, because that made me cry.”
Selene, what do you think makes a good story?
“Well, a couple of things. I guess I judge a book by it’s cover. I like to look at the cover art to see if it can give a good idea about the story that’s about to unfold. I love beautiful covers. I also like to read stories that have equally strong characters and plot. I don’t like one dimensional characters that are perfect.”
What skills do you admire in other writers?
“I...really admire when a writer can draw me into their story in real time. I also really admire dedication to books in general. It’s difficult to just stick with a book and write it, and then get it published. I admire writers who challenge your opinion, or mention someone or something so interesting that you research it later.”
Another great answer. Thank you Selene, you have given me a lot to think about, and I appreciate that.
___________________________________________________________________________________________Selene lives in Imperial Beach. She has a blue eyed husky named Lucky. Selene speaks French fluently. Her quirkiest habit is obsessively refreshing her phone to check the weather on the hour. Selene describes herself as a bibliophile, a husky fanatic, and a potato enthusiast. She dislikes heights and the idea of losing her pup Lucky. She is most annoyed by burnt potatoes, refreshing her weather app one minute after the hour, or when a book is nowhere near as good as the reviews imply. She most admires her mom for being dedicated and hardworking. Someday Selene wants her tombstone to read, “Here lies Selene. She loved Huskies and Potatoes, and was a successful Equine Veterinarian”.
Eduardo Gonzalez Rubio
“We were sent to war against the other crusaders from religious empires and kingdoms. Some of them were the Muslims, Hungarians, Jews, and the Mongol empire. The war felt like an eternity because it was. The war started in 1095 and ended in 1492, the same year Christopher Columbus discovered the Americas. I fought during the last six years of the war. The Muslims were so smart. Their bows were so powerful and fast that I barely survived them.”
--Eduardo Gonzalez Rubio, Grade 7, The Crusades Assignment
_____In this week's interview, I had way too much fun talking about everything from Graphic Novels to Steven Spielberg with aspiring film writer and director Eduardo Gonzales Rubio.
Eduardo! Thanks so much for being here with me today. I noticed in your writing sample that you are incredibly detailed. Why do you think that this is such an important skill for writers to have?
“I think details allow the reader to better picture what you’re trying to communicate. It’s a connector.”
Do you think it’s more important for an author to have, A) strong characters, B) mind blowing plot twists, or C) epic settings?
“All three! I think they are equally important. You need strong characters that the audience actually cares enough about, and the plot is important so those characters have somewhere to go. Plot twists keep everything interesting.”
When was the first time that you learned that language had power?
“Geez, Mrs. Pettit, I thought these were supposed to be easy questions. Ok. Actually, the Diary of a Wimpy Kid books. Humor is so important. It makes the reader happy. It’s a great way to communicate with your audience.”
Do you consider yourself a reader?
“Yeah, I do. I’ve really been into graphic novels lately, particularly superhero comics like The Watchmen and Umbrella Academy. I feel like graphic novels are taking over the world, and so many people love them because they are so much fun.”
Do you have any unusual writing quirks?
“ Ok, so when a teacher gives me a writing assignment, I immediately start falling into, ‘who are these characters, what do I want this setting to look like’. I don’t know, maybe that isn’t so quirky. I also go really heavy on the details. I guess I just picture everything out in my head first, how it will feel and look. I do all of that before writing a word.”
Ha! So in your crusaders assignment, you were just like, picturing those kids sweating across the desert? Okay, I can see it. Let’s talk about writer’s block. How do you overcome it?
“I...I don’t think I’ve ever had it. I really love writing anything, even assignments that aren’t opinion based and I think you see those issues more when a person doesn’t like writing or is distracted. So, If a teacher was to ask me to write something like, what’s your favorite movie, or what’s your favorite book, man, I would love that.”
So who are your favorite writers? Your favorite movies?
“Jeff Kinney, Gerard Way, George Lucas -- I mean, he obviously did Star Wars and is a genius, Stan Lee…. I’m a huge fan. I’m a fanatic. [insert long break where we dork out about X-Men, level five mutants, and the merits of Tobey Maguire being cast as Spiderman in the older movies --”He was too old!” “No, Mrs. Pettit, he was the OG.”] I used to pretend as a kid that I was Wolverine, and I would steal all the butter knives and stick them between my fingers and be like, “AGHHHHHH!!!!! And my mom was like, “Wha….? What is wrong with this kid?”
-[spits out tea] “Someone hide the butter knives, Eduardo thinks he’s Wolverine again” I am so here for this. What skills do you most admire in other writers?
“Well, look at Jeff Kinney. The books are humorous and fun, but that is so much work creating all those jokes. And George Lucas, yes, these are action films, but he has a better than working knowledge of the sci-fi genre, and space itself. I like writers who are invested in what they’re doing. I appreciate when writers are committed to what they are creating.”
I love that answer. Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts here today, and more importantly, making me laugh through the entire interview.
Eduardo lives in Coronado. He has one older sister who is in college at San Francisco State. Eduardo’s hidden talents include: writing, but more specifically writing horror stories, and basically talking about anything concerning Steven Speilberg, George Lucas, and the Marvel Universe. The three words Eduardo would use to describe himself are: Nerdy fanatic, excellent writer, and loving life. Eduardo used to be most scared about spiders, but now he loves them, because he enjoys killing them, even when his mom tells him not to because they are one of God’s creatures. Currently, his biggest fear is June bugs. HARD PASS on those things. His biggest pet peeve is his family’s Amazon Alexa. His mom enjoys playing the same music on repeat at unnecessarily loud levels, and she instinctively knows when someone is even thinking about turning it down, so don’t even try. If Eduardo could live anywhere in the world, it would be Hollywood, hands down, so he could fulfill his destiny as a screenwriter, director, and producer.
Coronado Middle School
Email: karin.mellina@coronadousd.net
Website: https://cms.coronadousd.net/
Location: 550 F Avenue, Coronado, CA, USA
Phone: 619.522.8921
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/coronadomiddleschool/