Our recent visit to Patrick Henry’s Red Hill was exciting for more reasons than the hands-on ones I shared yesterday. It’s where we got to meet author Jenny L. Cote for a writing workshop.
I’ve always wanted to go to a book signing, and although I’ve gotten a few invitations from authors whose books I’ve reviewed (eeek! excitement!) they’ve always been too far away.
That’s why I was extra excited to sign us up for a writing workshop with author Jenny L. Cote following homeschool day at Red Hill.
The event was scheduled by Red Hill and was entitled, “If This Be Fiction, Make the Most of It!” Cote used this parody of a famous Patrick Henry quote to teach about the various ways that an author prepares and plans the story (and her next three books will involve Patrick Henry).
Cote shared about writing techniques, like researching, but she extended each concept beyond the basic. She challenged the listeners to go beyond the library and the internet to the world beyond. She asked us to think big and dream bigger and to take action on those ideas. The workshop was not a do-this-then-that kind of class but more of an inspirational lecture based on the author’s own experiences. She has traveled the world doing research for her books and had loads of amazing stories and pictures to share.
Hearing Jenny L. Cote speak made me wish I had a story in my head that I could zoom off to research (another dream of mine – maybe someday?) but her visit wasn’t just about writing itself. Her lessons were really all about life.
Shouldn’t we all dream big? Trust God for miracles? Approach Him boldly? See beyond the words on a page to the miraculous wonders they share?
My Big Helper finished Cote’s first book on our way to Red Hill, and she was bubbling over with excitement about it. She purchased the next two and Cote signed all three. Now My Little Man is reading the story and he’s just as enthralled as his big sister is.
I love when an author inspires a reader to greatness. I love when a book makes you loath to put it down.
Cote has done both with my children, and after meeting her, I’m quite excited to begin them myself.
Want to read Cote’s books for yourself? You can find them all here:
Shared at:
