Life experiences turned into teachable moment

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      Writing a story is often a personal journey, as it requires the writer to use their imagination and, at times, reach within themselves to pull out useful life experiences. Maybe it was something we saw, we heard, or a time when we were happy or sad.  How we apply those moments to our stories can become a great teaching opportunity. 

During my programs, I talk to the kids about many things, but I always end the conversation with an example of how it was applied in a particular book. In "Baseball, Bullies & Angels", I include some very personal struggles and accomplishments, including ADHD, getting bullied, sports, etc. 

I will eventually tie all these personal struggles into the writing lesson by ask the students why they think I included it in my story. The students will respond, and my response back becomes part of the lessons learned. 

Steven Miller in my story is being bullied by some of his classmates: Why do you think I included bullies in my story? 

This open-ended question then allows for a few moments of kid's responses.

• To stop kids from bulling ("That's a good reason to use it, stories need purpose.")
• To show them it's wrong ("Another great reason, stories usually have a lesson in them.")
• So they know that it hurts people ("Again, great message for a story.")

  "But, if we are talking about using our own life experiences, why would I put it in my story." 

• Because you were bullied? 
• ("That's right. I was bullied, and it was a painful time in my life. One I'd never want to go through again, but it's such an important topic, that I felt I needed to share my experience. Who knows, my journey might help someone else who is going through it.")

And then I quickly cover the ADHD, and my baseball injury, and then I act out a chapter from the book. I call it a bookless reading; in acting we call it a monologue. 

When covering message moments like this, 

• Remember the kids see you as a celebrity.
• What you share might change a life.
• Know the exact points you want to make. 
• Make your points and move on.
• To make an impression; the kids just need to know that you went through it.
• The kids now know you as a person who shares their experience, and that will mean something to them. Moments like this are so powerful. 

Message moments can often come across as preachy, so be sure to make them sound conversational, relatable, and not like you are standing on a pulpit.

Find the teachable moments within your books!