“Inspiring Young Writers Wound Up Inspiring Me!”
When I started writing my first book, I didn’t give a lot of thought to how my work as an educator would support my writing. Yes, being a teacher gives me some great insight into children’s interests, language, and desires. I’m able to tap into the exact age reader I am hoping to excite with this magical world of Charlie and the Crystal Cave. It wasn’t until I spent some time discussing my book with some 4th graders though that I realized just how valuable their insights can be.
My book was in the final stages of editing when I brought it to the 4th and 5th grade classes at the school I teach at. The teachers of these classrooms graciously agreed to use it as a read aloud. I was curious to see if the story made sense to the readers I was hoping to reach and if it would hold their interest. The teachers spent time reading the book aloud, one chapter at a time. The children would ask them to keep going, saying, “One more chapter please!” Different children would see me in the halls or out on playground and come up to me, telling me how much they liked my book.
Upon finishing the book, the teachers invited me to talk with the children about my process. I looked at this as a great opportunity to inspire students to write as well as get some valuable feedback from these readers. What I received was so much more. The teachers asked their students, “Do you have any questions for Miss Julia?” I received some very thoughtful questions about the characters and story as well as, “When will the next book be ready?” Then a child said, “I want more lore and origin story about King Louie.” The children around him nodded their heads. “Yeah, where did he come from?” and “How did he get inside the Crystal Cave?” questions came from across the room.
I was surprised by the enthusiasm of these students. I could see how empowered they felt connecting directly with the author of a story they cared so much about. The energy of the room was electric as we discussed the ins and outs of the story. I wrote down everything they asked or said, as their input was so valuable and I wanted them to know that. I didn’t go into this conversation thinking this would be a brainstorming session for the second book, but that’s exactly what it became.
I left that classroom, my mind ablaze with questions of why and how King Louie, a talking albino alligator, ended up in this cave. Was he born there or did he travel there? Was he always magical and could he always talk or was he once just a regular alligator? How could this back story support Charlie’s adventures moving forward? These young readers got me thinking in ways I hadn’t before and viewing the story from their perspective opened pathways I didn’t see. It’s my hope that these students were as inspired as I was by the discussion. Meeting an author is such a fantastic and tangible way for young readers to explore writing as well. Writing begins with imagining and I hope this experience showed these students how exciting writing can be.
If you are a teacher and have a connection with a local children’s author, consider bringing them in to meet with your students. This exchange is not only beneficial to the students who are exposed to real world creative writing, but also so valuable for the author who desires to create a perfect story for the right readers. Upon finishing the first book I had some thoughts of how the second book would start, but after having this conversation with these students, I have a much more complex plan for the story. I don’t think that would have happened if I hadn’t heard the desires of my targeted readers. And I look forward to giving them what they want! In fact, I can’t wait to get started writing.
Published July 22nd, 2025
About the Book: Some caves hide treasures. This one hides a magic world… and a destiny.
On his way to his first day of school in a new town, Charlie finds himself drawn to a strange cave in the woods. Inside this magical world of the Crystal Cave, he meets King Louie, an albino alligator, and discovers his true calling: he is the Creature Seeker. Charlie is King Louie’s only hope in finding the Crystal Creatures that have been stolen from the Crystal Cave and hidden across the globe.
With the help of the cave’s mysterious magic, Charlie must adventure to new places, overcome hidden dangers, and discover powers within himself he never knew existed.
Charlie and the Crystal Cave is a beautifully imagined fantasy adventure about bravery, discovery, and the shimmering magic just beyond the veil — perfect for readers ages 8-12 who believe the world holds more wonders than we can see. Also a great first chapter book for reading aloud.
About the Author: Julia Krebs Patterson began telling bedtime stories to her older son a few years ago. He specifically requested a story about an albino alligator inside a magic cave. As these stories unfolded, night after night, he would ask her to write a book. She finally wrote the first in a series of books called, Charlie and the Crystal Cave. Julia has a background in theater arts education and she has written plays for children to perform. Julia lives in Louisville, KY with her husband and two boys. They have a dog named Ranger and a bearded dragon named Draco. They all love to go out into the forest to explore or muck about in creeks together. Julia loves teaching children and works as a preschool teacher where she uses her creativity and story telling to infuse their learning.
Thank you, Julia, for sharing how your writers inspired you!
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