Writer's Week.

Mary Fons: I enjoyed Mary Fon's stage presence very much. She is indeed a wonderful performer, but then again it is her job. I think my favorite thing was just how calm she was about everything. Like a lot of the things she read must have had a lot of feeling behind them but she had all her feelings under control. Specifically the part about her dad. I feel like I would have had a harder time reading that. And her speaking poetry version of the Lady Gaga song was funny.

Dr. Small: I loved this. My mom grew up in village and when I visit there it is a lot like Dr. Small describes her farm. The animals and problems and all that come up living on a farm. I liked this piece cause it struck something in me. It made me realize that as much as I love big cities and look forward to living in one someday, part of me would also love to have a farm.

Mr. Hill: I enjoyed the simplicity of his writing. He basically told the story of life. Yes, he worded it a certain way to make it more interesting but that's basically what life is. And I thought the over all concept was funny. How it was a christmas newsletter basically. And the silly idea of trying to jam an entire year of your life into one short page.

Jonathan Eig: This sir has a very soothing voice. And he is just such a good speaker. I'm not saying he was entertaining per say, but he just spoke loudly and clearly. I didn't have to strain to hear what he was saying. I liked his books too. I mean from how he talked about them. History is a very interesting thing to discover and I could relate to him in wanting only the truth. I feel like if I was a writer I would go to the same extents he did to find the truth. I also found it absolutely fascinating how close to the truth he could get. Considering a lot of people may think, oh no, I'll never be able to like.. get a interview with Jackie Robinson's wife and all that. But he went out and he did.

Students: First of all I just have to say that as a presenter I totally give props to these kiddos because I know how scary it is to get up there and share your feelings and life to an audience. I think the story that struck me most from the students was Christine Veit's. Being able to talk about something that to me seems so traumatic is amazing. I thought Stephanie Fox's, while I love her, was strange. I mean, good in a ... F451 and Hunger Games way... but I didn't really enjoy either of those books. hah. So, it was good for what it was! But it's not a genre I enjoy.

Tony Romano, Kevin Brewner, Gary Anderson: I had a very hard time focusing during Gary Anderson's poems because Gary Anderson reminds me A LOT of my middle school's librarian. But when I wasn't thinking about that, I was listening to his poems, which were good. I remember there was a specific one about sisters. That one was my favorite. Cause it ended with "Will you be my sister?" And I thought that was cute. Um, Tony Romano's story... it was good too. I guess it didn't hit me too hard cause I related to much. From how his mom acts to the whole asking about their past thing... Its like standard for me. I didn't find it to special. But it was nice to relate.

Overall,

I had a wonderful time at writer's week. Presenting and listening. I was actually surprised at how well my presentation went and how fun it was. I was really scared but it turned out well. The only thing I regret now is that the period I was scheduled to go was not a busy period and I wish there were more people! Haha. Funny how that works... The last thing is this is the second year and I have yet to see Fanboys! Ugh! I guess I'll just have to wait till next year :)

Anna Purnyn