Author Study

     I really enjoyed the author study.  I had Gary Paulsen, Katherine Patterson, and Patricia McKissack.  They were all ordinary people who have become extraordinary authors.  I have always loved Katherine Patterson's book Bridge to Terabithia so I really enjoyed reading about her life and how she comes up with ideas for her books.  She lived in China when she was younger and I had not known that previously.  She loves books which are realistic.  They make you laugh and cry, just like life.  They give you practice for what is going to come. 
     I also studied Gary Paulsen.  I have always heard about Hatchet and I finally read it myself.  Wow what a story!  I just felt like I was on the island with him.  I can't wait to read some more of his work. I was surprised to read he had run off with a traveling carnival at the age of 14.  He's definitely had his own adventures. 
     Patricia McKissack is another author I read about.  She was a teacher before becoming a full time writer. She used much of her heritage to inspire her writings.  The thing I really loved about her is how she and her husband Frederick McKissack worked together for many years before he passed away.  They were quite a team.  Now her son is working with her some.  You can tell family is really imporant to her. 
     The big thing all the authors talked about was writing something everyday.  It may not be your next story, but then again it might.  Mainly keeping at it, just like you would practice a sport or playing an instrument.  That is so important for students to write something every day.