People often ask me why I refer to myself as an Author and Adventurer. “Easy!” I say. “Because, in my opinion, the two are one and the same. You have to become an adventurer in order to discover stories! They don’t just pop into your head like pieces of popcorn. You’ve gotta get out there and catch them.”
This Easter season, I enjoyed sharing my story-hunting adventures with thousands of amazing young readers and writers in the state of Georgia. In the span of 10 days, I had the privilege of visiting four primary schools to talk about my journey to becoming an author and the adventures that inspired Katie Watson and the Painter’s Plot. I also ran Detective Training at local bookshops and libraries (the result, I’m pleased to announce, was many new members admitted into the official Katie Watson Detective Society). By the end of the tour, my voice might’ve sounded like a bullfrog’s with laryngitis, but I truly LOVED every minute of it!
I was tickled and humbled by the warm welcomes I received from each one of my phenomenal hosts, all frontliners of inspiring children to love reading. But I have to say, the best bit of the tour was witnessing those kids’ creativity at work during our “What if…?” story-writing workshops. Who could’ve believed so many original, exciting ideas would erupt from my simply showing them a picture of a dirty hole in some tree roots! I can say with robust confidence that the next generation of authors is well on its way… at least in the State of Georgia!
As I look forward to my next tour — this time in the UK — I must take one more glance back to say a ginormous THANK YOU to my hosts: Prince Avenue Christian School, Malcom Bridge Elementary, Whitehead Road Elementary, Rocky Branch Elementary, Barnes & Noble, The Story Shop in Monroe, Normal Books in Athens and the Oconee County Library. You all made the magic happen!
I also owe a huge debt of thanks to the friends (old & new) and family who came out to support the events! And to my special assistants: my Dad (aka. Mr Incredible/ Jim Blume), my sis-in-law Eileen Blume and my niece Jasmine (who, by the way, is turning out a stellar detective in training… look out, Katie Watson!). And mega thanks to Blume Photography (notice a Blumey trend here?) for capturing all the fun in photos, not to mention my new headshots!
Can’t wait to come back to share Katie Watson’s next adventure next year!