The Budding Author

I just got back from doing a library presentation at Pleasant Grove, Utah and there's this kid who I just have to tell you about.

This library does a Tuesday night book event for younger children. I talked about Farm Girl, two other authors spoke about their books, and the librarian interspersed it with bits about being an author, since the theme was "Author Night." (She was incredible btw, integrating what we said with her comments while keeping it all brief,  interesting and on topic.)

So afterwards a boy (about 4th grade I'd guess) comes up to me like he wants to say something. And I say, "Have fun reading books!"

His response: "You mean writing them!" And he proceeds to tell me about a story he's writing about a magic train-- "I'm on chapter three!"

His little brother pipes up, "He already published a book when he was only six!"

The mom explains it's the one where you send off an illustrated story and this company binds it for you. (I remember when my kids were in grade school their teachers did that for them. So fun and exciting!)

I asked the young writer his name and he gave me first, middle and last. I'll remember it. One day I hope to see that name on a book cover.

How old were you when you first started writing? When you knew you wanted to be an author someday?