Honoring the Story

It is a privilege to write stories, to give voice to the voiceless. You open new worlds, you introduce new ways of thinking, and you lift the reader closer to the light. This is the power and purpose of story. And this is the tradition you honor.
~ from The Art and Craft of Storytelling by Nancy Lamb


As a teacher I'm often reminded of the power of story. Such was the case this week as I looked around my class and saw how many students had purchased hardback copies of Rick Riordan's The Red Pyramid. Some bought it because they are fans of his Percy Jackson series, but most bought it because I read them a sample of Chapter One. They were totally hooked. Nine and ten-year olds weren't intimidated by the 500 pages; they were captivated by the story.

I think it's obvious when authors appreciate and honor the importance of story. I really believe that the children pick up on this when they read. The dedication given to crafting the story enhances it in a way that resonates deeply with even the youngest reader.

It's so easy to get caught up in (or more aptly - dragged down by) the struggle to publication. For me, remembering the power and importance of story keeps me going. So next time I'm feeling down, I'm going to think of all those children begging me for time to read just one more chapter and I will try to celebrate the work that brings that joy.