What fun to receive the Spring 2015 issue of Kinetics and see the blurb on my Crossing Swords Kickstarter project! My campaign image is the first item in the Seattle Country Day School (SCDS) magazine Class Notes section (page 16). The two-sentence update focuses on the success of the fundraiser and how it was picked by Kickstarter as the featured publishing project.
Not every grade school has such an extensive alumni network, but SCDS is a unique school. Geared for gifted children, the school is especially strong in science and creativity. I know I am not alone in deeply appreciating my experiences there.
The teachers at SCDS recognized and encouraged my early talent and love for writing. The Language Arts teacher submitted one of my school assignments to children’s literary magazine Stone Soup. My short story on my mental wrangling as I waited in line for “The Beast” roller coaster was accepted for publication. In sixth grade I won the school-wide creative writing contest with a multi-chapter illustrated spoof history of western civilization. My prize was a Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary which I did, in fact, take to college with me. And I still have that Dictionary.
Reflecting back on my SCDS creative writing contest entry, strangely enough, Crossing Swords has a similar spirit of broad historical overview, and even a touch of subtle humor. Only now can I see that those accomplishments in grade school were not flukes, but budding talent being expressed. SCDS turned me into both a published writer, and an award-winning writer too!