Northwest authors inspire students at Cavalcade

WEST RICHLAND -- It took the middle school students about 15 minutes to create a character with a compelling back story and enough present-day challenges to keep him busy through an entire book.

They gave him an annoying sister, an aversion to school, a loyal best friend and a mystery to solve. They even discussed where his parents work.

His dad's company "sells nuclear power to France," one boy said.

"I was going to say (that he's) an oil baron," said another.

Getting creative was the theme Monday at the first-ever Cavalcade of Authors at Enterprise Middle School in West Richland. A handful of writers from the Pacific Northwest spent all day talking to students and holding workshops.

Timothy Zahn, whose titles include the popular Dragonback series, led sessions on how to find story ideas through brainstorming. With help from him, students dreamed up the teenage boy with the annoying sister. In one scenario, the boy discovered a mysterious book that sucked him into its pages.

They also talked about aliens, magic and even man-eating toilets.

"I'm trying to get them to stimulate their imaginations," Zahn said. "Having seen it, having done it, they'll know it's (possible)."

About 70 middle schoolers from throughout the Richland School District attended the workshop. They had to read a book from at least four of the authors to qualify.

They toted around bags of books and some wore special Cavalcade T-shirts as they made their way from session to session.

"It's a lot of fun," said Giulia Szanyi, 12, a sixth-grader at Carmichael Middle School.

Her friend, Sarah Bashir, 12, a sixth-grader, said she liked the session with Zahn.

"The scenarios he created were so cool," she said.

Authors Alma Alexander, S.A. Bodeen, Janet Lee Carey, Arthur T. Lee, Maureen McQuerry and Renee Riva also participated. They ran sessions on everything from how to write fantasy to putting humor in stories.

Several authors also agreed to speak at public libraries in the Tri-Cities as part of the event, and some also are visiting schools in Pasco today.

Lane said the idea was to encourage students' love of books and writing. She plans to run the event again next year.

Several students said they were having a good time.

"I'm trying to learn stuff from the authors to make my writing (better)," said Dylan Wright-Mockler, 12, a seventh-grader at Chief Joseph Middle School.

"It's great to meet the authors," said Alex Brown, 11, a sixth-grader at Carmichael Middle School. "This is a great inspiration."