Why They Became Writers: Bestselling Authors Share Their Author Talk Stories
Ever wonder what inspires authors to become writers? Many of the BookBreak program’s bestselling authors have shared that they were first inspired by an author talk during THEIR school years!
There are countless authors who were inspired by hearing from other authors, which changed the course of their lives into becoming bestselling writers. This isn’t surprising as research shows that after an author talk, students report a 68% increase in the enjoyment of writing. When students listen to authors share their hopes, challenges, and creative journeys, it evokes excitement and motivation to try creative writing themselves.
Here are some authors whose own careers began with the inspiration of an author talk.
Amor Towles on What Sparked His Dream to be a Writer
Amor Towles shared that he was determined to become a writer in the first grade after an American poet, David McCord, visited his classroom.
“I knew I wanted to be a writer in first grade. A poet came to my first-grade class and read from his work… I remember it being the coolest thing… And from that point forward, that’s what I wanted to do.”
Towles was adamant that he wanted to become an author after his engaging author talk visit as a child. This moment is what led Towles to pen modern classics like A Gentleman in Moscow and The Lincoln Highway.
Barbara Dee and How She Found Her Writing Purpose
When Barbara Dee volunteered at her son’s school writing workshop, she didn’t expect to walk away with a new purpose. After a few encouraging words from the author of You Will, Betsy Sterman, gave her the courage to write for children. She went on to publish more than a dozen novels, including Star-Crossed and Maybe He Just Likes You.
Barbara Dee connected with students as part of BookBreak’s Author in Residence Program for the 2024-2025 year, featuring her book Unstuck. She helped students conquer writer’s block across various writing forms, including essays, research papers, and science lab reports. Her workshops were able to inspire students’ future writing experiences.
Alice Faye Duncan on How an Author Changed Her Life
Alice Faye Duncan shared how a single author visit changed the course of her life. During one of her own author talks, she reflected on a moment in sixth grade when American poet Etheridge Knight visited her classroom. He told the students that he made a living writing words, a statement that deeply resonated with her. Ms. Duncan realized during Knight’s visit that writing, which she enjoyed, could be a real career. That simple, powerful message set her on the path to becoming an author herself.
Her story came full circle as she led a BookBreak author talk when a student named Parker asked her the same question: “What made you want to be an author?”. She excitedly shared how, just like Parker was enjoying Ms. Duncan for a speaking event, she found her calling at an author talk. Her books, Opal Lee and Memphis, Martin, and the Mountaintop, now inspire thousands of students each year.
Watch the author talk clip below:
Megan Frazer Blakemore and Her Author Experiences
Megan Frazer Blakemore’s love for writing grew out of her school’s strong reading and writing programs at Oyster River Cooperative School District in New Hampshire. She participated in writing workshops throughout school and met visiting authors who left a lasting impression. In middle school, she was inspired by Patricia Reilly Giff, author of Lily’s Crossing and Nory Ryan’s Song. She also had the opportunity to work with science fiction writer James Patrick Kelly during an author-in-residence program that immersed students in creative writing exercises and workshops.
These school experiences shaped Megan’s path to becoming an author by showing her that writers are just like her and that a writing career is possible. “Often when I am on a panel, the other authors will say that they never met a writer, never thought they were real people, so the idea of being a writer seemed completely impossible. I didn’t have that challenge.”
BookBreak Author Talks Inspire Students to be Writers
See What Educators Are Saying About BookBreak’s Virtual Author Talks
Vanessa Slavens, Community School of Excellence
Christine Schooley, Bridges Academy
Angie Casha, Malpass Corner Elementary School
Melanie Moss, Amboy Elementary
The Positive Impact of Author Talks For Students
It is powerful to see the positive impact of author talks for students. Learning about authors who were inspired by author talks is highly impactful for today’s students. As the cycle of inspiration and influence continues to the next generation, these experiences help create enjoyable moments around reading and writing, which opens the door for engagement. These impacts extend beyond meaningful moments, but also measurable academic growth.
Research suggests that cultivating a reading and writing culture can lead to increased engagement in reading and writing. In fact, one specific study found that students who experienced an author talk achieved, on average, 87% higher reading scores. The science clearly demonstrates the connection between academic readiness and author talks. The secret behind the success? Inspiration!
Educators are well aware of how contagious inspiration is, which is why partnering with BookBreak to connect students virtually with authors boosts engagement. Hearing directly from authors not only transforms reading into a personal experience, but it also makes the idea of becoming a writer feel real and achievable.
Watch clips of our author talks here to see how these meaningful interactions help students see themselves as readers and writers.
Stay Tuned…