Author visits school, shares writing tips

Author Clare Dunkle visited Ramstein American Middle School’s Advancement Via Individual Determination classes recently to introduce the students to the world of writing and publishing.
Ms. Dunkle is the author of “The Hollow Kingdom,” a fictional tale reminiscent of the myth of Persephone.
The author related to the students some of the personal obstacles she had to overcome in order to eventually become a writer.
Ms. Dunkle shared with the students how she came up with her story ideas. Her stories were in her imagination for many years before they were eventually written down, she said.
Students were given the opportunity to ask questions and share in their personal writing experiences.
“It was so interesting to meet someone who has a book that is published,” said Kenney, eighth-grade AVID student.
“She was very helpful. I went home and wrote even more,” he said of Ms. Dunkle’s feedback to a story he wrote about the Civil War.
Ms. Dunkle’s visit was appreciated by both students and teachers, said AVID teacher Sherrie DaVault. “We appreciate Ms. Dunkle taking her time to come and speak to the students. I feel we were all inspired that day.”
Ms. Dunkle and another local author Terri Long will visit language arts classes at Ramstein American Middle School the week of March 8.