| As someone that speaks regularly to groups of | | | | rejected?" and the equally painful, "What do you do |
| children-both large and small-I can tell you that I am | | | | when someone hates your books?" |
| constantly amazed at what goes through their little | | | | Nothing like a dose of salt-in-the-wound and |
| minds. Without the restraint of what would be | | | | painful-reminders to bring you back down to earth! |
| "appropriate," they tend to just let their thoughts flow. If | | | | Category 3: The Question that's not a Question |
| you ever find yourself standing in front of a group of | | | | Kindergarten and First Grade are particularly adept at |
| young people, get ready for three categories of | | | | this one. It can take several forms, but let me tell you |
| questions. | | | | about one specific time. I gave a talk to a group of |
| Category 1: Personal Questions | | | | Kindergarteners that went very well. The audience |
| Kids want to know everything, and they have no | | | | was attentive. They laughed at all the right places and |
| problem asking you directly. I have been asked my | | | | were quiet when they should be quiet. Then, I asked, |
| age, my height, my yearly income, and marital status. | | | | "Does anyone have any questions on the things I've |
| The income question usually takes the form of "Are | | | | talked about?" |
| you rich?" or even "Are you a millionaire?" Evidently | | | | A hand shot up. A little girl in the front row. "Yes?" I |
| the Harry Potter craze led them to believe that | | | | said. "You have a question?" |
| anyone who has written a book or two must be a | | | | "I have a dog." |
| millionaire. | | | | This was strange not simply because it was not really |
| But it was the age question that led to this funny | | | | a question, but also because nothing in the preceding |
| exchange. | | | | hour had anything to do with dogs, pets, or any other |
| At one of my appearances a little boy raised his hand | | | | related topic! I hesitated only briefly before replying |
| and asked, "How old are you?" I paused for a moment, | | | | (brilliantly, I thought), "Interesting. Any other questions?" |
| trying to think of a witty response, but in the end simply | | | | Another hand shot up. "I have a dog, too." Which was |
| answered that I was 42. There was a momentary | | | | followed in rapid succession by "I have a cat," "My |
| hush, and then he muttered in authentic amazement, | | | | Grandma has two cats," and "My Grandma had a dog, |
| "Wow, that's even older than my dad!" It still makes me | | | | but he died." |
| chuckle. | | | | Sigh. |
| Category 2: Professional Failure Questions | | | | But, for all of their strange and somewhat |
| To have your ego shot down by a six year old is truly | | | | embarrassing questions, there is one benefit to an |
| a humbling experience. Let me explain. | | | | audience of young people. There is something that |
| In my talks I try very hard to explain how the publishing | | | | happens quite regularly at my events that you rarely |
| world works, and how books are created. For some | | | | see at gatherings of "adults." After the event, as the |
| reason, this leads many children to assume that I must | | | | kids are filing out of the auditorium, some little boy or |
| have had an entire series of horrible setbacks before | | | | girl will come up to me, not say a word, and give me a |
| arriving at my current station. My two favorites so far | | | | hug. You can't buy that kind of praise with money. |
| have been, "How does it feel when your books get | | | | |