Monroe Young Authors Conference

Duct tape doesn't like sticking to everything. Pencils wish they could do something other than write all the time. Sheets of paper dream of flying, and bumblebees hate to be stepped on.

Who knew?

The young writers at the Monroe Young Authors' Conference, that's who.

When I gave the students an assignment to write from another point of view, they came up with brilliant, imaginative stories. They became bears, eagles, trees, bumblebees, pencils, paper, and yes, duct tape.

I didn't expect to have so much fun at the conference, which was held at an elementary school in Monroe, Washington May 10th. I thought that after giving four workshops to four groups of lively children in the third through sixth grades, I would collapse from exhaustion. But instead, I left the conference energized and amazed by the students' enthusiasm and creativity. I must extend a huge thank you to the conference organizers and to my intrepid volunteer assistant, Betty Roop!

I hope they invite me back next year.