Hey, Kids,
Has a teacher ever assigned you a HUGE writing project? Maybe it was a term paper or something you had to create alone or in a group.
Perhaps the teacher then handed out page after page of project instructions that left your eyes crossed and your brain doing flip-flops. You might have said to yourself, “How will I ever figure out all these details? How will I know where to start? Can I actually create a project I will be proud to hand in?”
Well, guess what? That’s what happened to me yesterday! My “teacher” publishers at Acorn Publishing sent me almost thirty pages of timelines and process summaries about all the things I need to do to get Nutmeg Street: Egyptian Secrets into your hands and hearts by next February. Whew!!!
Yes, my eyes crossed, and my brain did flip-flops. So here’s what I did to calm my fears. I stopped, took a deep breath, and said, “If I ask questions and don’t panic, I can do this! One baby step at a time.” Then, I said, “It’s absolutely worth doing and doing well.”
So, kids, the next time you’re faced with a challenge–a writing project, an oral presentation, or a tennis tournament or softball game–remember: Stop, relax, take a deep breath, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Your teachers and coaches are there to help you. And tell yourself as I did, “I can do this!”
So get a clue, Readers and Writers. Know that I wish the best for you in all that you do. You CAN do it!
