Clare B. Dunkle
Reactions and comments concerning my talks

“The students were so excited and motivated. Several of them have mentioned how much you inspired them to do their own writing. (A teacher's dream!) I think that kids think writing is some kind of ‘out there’ experience. Some of the authors they read are of course not accessible, and it is exciting for them to meet an author in person, a real person writing a real book. I think when they get a chance to read the book they will become fans, I know I am. All of the teachers were also pleased.”
—a middle-school teacher and event coordinator

“You were very fun & understood us kids. You kept our attention & you weren’t boring.”
—a middle-school AVID student

“What you said was really what some of us wanted to hear, that it is OK to be different, an outcast, a nerd even. Potential and will is all you need to prove people wrong, to follow your dreams. ... You made this presentation entertaining, something I wish the other guest speakers could do.”
—a middle-school AVID student

“I could relate to your story much more than many other speeches we have had in these classes. ... I could relate to your speech because of the pictures. I saw the pictures of your family and they looked remarkably like my family.”
—a middle-school AVID student

“I really liked your book, The Hollow Kingdom. The Hollow Kingdom is the first book I’ve really liked. The only book I’ve read for pleasure, not for a grade.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“I think that you made all of us eager to read your book and use our imagination while reading and writing.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“I learned what it takes to publish a book. It is more than just writing.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“I liked your book The Hollow Kingdom. I liked it so much that I had to read it twice. ... I just can’t wait to see what happens next.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“Your talk really touched me. Your view on books were similar to mine.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“I LOVE BOOKS (and reading, of course). Lately I haven’t been able to find any books that really interest me. Thanks to you I am inspired to look harder because there are good ‘fantasy’ books out there.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“Thank you for visiting us. I thought it was really cool. I love to write, and hearing stuff from a writer really helps me write. I like fantasy, you know, Lord of the Rings, because it’s not real ... there is another reality, the reality of your imagination. I think that’s why fantasy is so cool, it’s the impossible, unordinary stuff, you can go anywhere, do anything. When you write you are your characters, they’re like your children, you have to take care of them.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“You inspired me to write another story, for myself.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“You are a fantastic writer, and the way you read gives a real soul to your book.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“My sister is in third grade and after you came to visit she could not stop talking about you. I really enjoyed your visit. I think everyone did.”
—a middle-school language arts student

“Can I have your autograph? Can I have your phone number? Will you come to my house on Saturday?”
—a 3rd grade language arts student

The above comments have been excerpted from thank-you letters, except for the last statement, which came at the conclusion of my visit. The occasional misspelled word or unusual punctuation has been corrected for ease of reading.