Published Author Comes to American
Caroline Lee
Staff Writer
During lunch on Tuesday, January 14, 2014, author Nancy Young talked to some of AHS’s aspiring writers.
About forty students came to Theater 50 to attend the event hosted by the AHS Writing Club. Young is the author of the novel Strum which was published in June 2013 and club president Julia Jen was responsible for contacting her.
“Nancy Young is actually a personal friend of my mom’s,” Jen said. “I simply messaged her through Facebook and worked out a date that she could come to speak at American.”
In her only talk outside of the Los Angeles area, Young was cut off by the end-of-lunch bell and had no time to answer audience questions, something the Writing Club would like to work on in the future.
“If I were to have an event like this in the future, whether it would involve inviting Nancy again next year, or inviting another author or journalist, I would probably inform them about how short our lunches are,” Jen said.
Nevertheless, Young was surprised by the turnout, as Jen told her only five students would be in attendance, and she enjoyed a change in her usual talks.
“I do talks at libraries and stores to young kids and adults,” Young said. “Sometimes there are authors there, but it’s nice talking to people interested in writing, not just reading. I wish someone pointed out writing when I was younger.”
Young outlined her book’s theme and plot line, encouraging students to take inspiration from everyday experiences and to pursue their dreams.
“I liked how she had certain advice, like about magnifying the little details,” senior Sunny Chiu said. “I thought it was interesting, but I felt like she was more focused on her book and inspiration, rather than the process; not everyone has the same inspiration.”
Overall, Jen received a positive response from those who attended the event and is ready to do more like it.
“I would definitely like to do a similar event in the future,” Jen said. “I think the closest event that might happen this year is a poetry slam and reading in the springtime, which we might partner with a class council to host as an event and fundraiser.”
No matter what event comes next, the AHS Writing Club will continue to look out for its members and promote their love of writing.
Eagle Era 