How authors can make books come alive for Hong Kong readers young and old
Standing in the packed library of the Hong Kong International School, visiting poet Naomi Shihab Nye closes her eyes, takes a breath and begins. "You can't order a poem like you order a taco …," she says, reciting the opening line of one of her most recognised poems, Valentine for Ernest Mann, and the room is silent.
It's hard to know what these teenagers think as they sit, cross-legged, heads lowered, listening. But their thoughtful questions and reflections after the talk show clearly that they have been deeply impressed. With this talk, Nye offers these students a new way to approach poetry, both as consumers and as creators themselves.
"I learned to look at life as a long poem, filled with mundane, irritating, amazing and elated moments," reflects grade eight student Sarthak Bajpai. Sophia Chuen, also in grade eight, says: "Visiting authors allow us to learn that authors are real people too and that writing is thinking."
Nye suggests that students keep a notebook with them always and that they pay attention to the ordinary moments in life and record three small ideas each day. The students learn that anyone can be a poet, that poetry is fun and that writing a book can take many, many iterations before the final version is published.
For most authors, producing a book is like birthing a child. Once that book exists, their lives are forevermore inextricably entwined. Most authors spend a fair amount of their non-writing time helping to grow the audience for their books.
While the author receives some benefit in increasing book sales for this effort, the true benefit is really to the reader who gains further insights and a deeper understanding from hearing the author provide context and colour about the process and result.
Meeting an author is a great way to make books come alive for readers. Many Hong Kong schools and organisations understand this and invest precious resources hosting authors to work with students, parents and teachers.