As I was writing this post, I kept stumbling on the title because “living” has an alternate meaning in the CM world. So let me start by saying that I’m referring to a living author in the most traditional sense of the word – a writer who is alive. And as much as I relish our classics and older tomes, I also think it’s important for children to interact with real live authors of the here and now. Cultivating relationships with living authors helps breathe new life into the minds of young readers and budding writers.

When I suggested to a friend that I was going to be more intentional with helping my children cultivate relationships with living authors, she was incredulous. She couldn’t understand how I was going to facilitate any kind of interaction because many authors are unavailable and seemingly “untouchable.”

And while it’s true that I can’t conceive of a way for my children to come in contact with all of the authors they’d like to “meet,” I’ve been pleased by how easy it has been to help them personalize their relationships with some authors. And some is all it takes.

Most recently, one of my daughters chose to mail a letter to Ingrid Law after she read her book, Savvy, in her free time. We got the address off of the author’s website, and my girl sent her a heartfelt letter enclosed with a self-addressed stamped envelope.

I had prepared her for never receiving a response, at worst, or receiving a standard form letter, at best, so imagine her sheer delight when she received an envelope addressed to herself in her own handwriting from Ms. Law.

She ran inside, ripped it open, and literally squeeled. After going through the contents of the envelope with her, I wanted to hunt down Ingrid Law and kiss her. She couldn’t have delivered a greater gift to us. Along with a bookmark, a couple of large stickers, and a signed bookplate, my girl received a personalized letter from the author.

I say “personalized” not because it has my daughter’s name on it, but because Ms. Law took the time to respond to everything my daughter wrote in her original letter. She specifically addressed her comments and questions with thoughtful answers, and it was abundantly clear that this was nowhere near a standard form letter.

A relationship was built.

While it’s possible (likely?) that they’ll never interact again, my daughter has now watched a video interview with Ms. Law, requested her next book, and incorporated an aspect of her books (the concept of having a special strength or “savvy”) into intriguing conversations with her siblings and friends.

Why does any of this matter?

To be honest, a part of it is just wholesome fun. Connecting with authors and getting to know them is a way for the kids to spend their free time on something worthy. It’s homeschool-kid entertainment. Ha!

In addition, the ability to ask questions and get real-time feedback direct from the minds and mouths of authors is a special treat for CM families because so many of the authors we read have passed on. Sure, there are memoirs and old interviews or research, but this is different.

Finally, and maybe most importantly, building relationships with living authors serves as a tangible reminder that they are just regular people, and that any one of us can become an author. In the child’s mind, it shifts composition from an obtuse academic endeavor to a stepping stone or part of the eventual literary process. I love that.

I’m not sure who the kids will seek out next, but the bar has been raised, and I’m thankful that there are living authors who are taking the time to invest in our children.