Kids Ask the Darndest Things--Over Skype

A pic of my screen as we said goodbye...

The students at Star Prep Academy in California asked so many great questions about my books on Cleopatra (both the biography and novel), I found myself occasionally taken aback. I mean, how do you respond to a young reader who asks what in MY life informed the way I wrote about Cleopatra Selene's relationship with her MOM?

Whoa. A future psychoanalyst in training.

Other great questions included why I chose to write about a character in history (Selene) that historians actually know so little about; why it was so important to show the power of Rome throughout the novel; and what I thought about the editing process.

I love talking to kids about history and writing and the fact that I was in Atlanta and the Star Prep students were in Culver City, California, made it all the cooler that we could have these conversations. A big thank you to teacher Hannah Ruth Wilde for setting the visit up. 

Skype has definitely changed the game. So teachers, if you want me to talk to your students but can't bring me out to your classroom, let's do it over Skype!

Free Skype Chats

This afternoon, I spoke to Mr. Wucker's Latin III and Latin IV students via Skype about Cleopatra's Moon.

I thought it was so cool, I had to take a picture. The students attend the University School and saw the Cleopatra exhibit when it was in Milwaukee last spring. Mr. Wuckler assigned Cleopatra's Moon for summer reading.

Sadly, we didn't have a lot of time for the Skype chat, but they did ask many good questions and I hope I answered them clearly enough. I wish I could've asked THEM questions like, How do you plan to use your Latin studies in the future? And Who is your favorite ancient character? And What did you think about the Cleo exhibit? And What other characters in ancient history would you love to read about in fiction?

So many questions, so little time.

Still, it was awesome. If you know Latin or history teachers who would like for me to "chat" with their students about the ancient world, please pass on my info. 

Thanks Mr. Wuckler!
 

Skype Attack!

Yesterday I had an awesome Skype visit with St. Thomas Episcopal School in Texas. I spoke to 8th-12th grade Latin students about the ancient world and about writing Cleopatra's Moon.

I LOVED the experience and hope to have more with other schools!

The awesome Ginger Emshoff, Latin teacher and school JCL sponsor, sent me this photo of the event, which is pretty cool.

However, every time I look at it, I half-expect an athletic, short-haired blond woman to race toward the screen and heroically hurl a giant hammer at my face on the screen, a la the iconic "1984" Apple ad. If you're too young to know what I'm talking about, check it out:

(But I was on a Mac, I swear!)

Anyway, if you'd like for me to chat with your students via Skype, email me!