Successful Author School Visits: For Authors

School Visit in Circleville, Ohio

The other day, we were discussing author school visits in one of the writing groups I belong to.  

The discussion actually started from my article about public public speaking.  One of the authors in the group then asked the following:

"Hi C.J. Thank you for another helpful article. However, for those of us who have never done a school visit, can you do another article on the content of your presentation? 

Do you talk about the writing process, read part of your story, ask a student to read a chapter? Do you include Powerpoint presentations, run a book trailer video? 

How do you run your session?" 

I will cover what I have learned through thirteen years of school presentations, but please keep in mind, this is only what worked best for me when planning, setting up, and doing an author school visit.

There are many variables when we're talking about how to do school visits.  Every author is different.  We all have different personalities, different styles of public speaking, and different ways to relate to children.  Always be yourself and do what you feel comfortable doing.

Use this only as a guide.  You will find your own groove after doing a couple of them -- and it will probably be much better than mine!

Setting Up an Author School Visit:

Author school visits are usually set up through the school's Reading Specialist, although each school handles this in their own way.  

Before I make my initial contact with a school, I call ahead to find out the name and title of the person who sets up their author school visits for the coming year.

Then you can make contact in several ways.  Some authors, (me included), have used post cards, which are printed much like a larger version of a business card, with a photo of your book(s) and one of you, contact information, the types of programs you offer, etc.  

Besides school visits, I also do poetry workshops and speak to PTA's and parents about the importance of poetry in schools.  This is something I also include on the post card.

Another way to make an initial contact is to send what I call a school packet, which is a modified press kit.  You can include whatever you feel is important, but this is what is in mine:

Past school visit references
A list of publishing credits
A copy of your book and a bookmark
Stickers pertaining to your book(s), or characters from your book(s)
Advance Book Order Form to send home with students w/price
An Intro Form to send home about you, your book(s), and your school visit
Copies of news clippings, magazine articles, about you and your book(s)
A list of ways I can work with the school so they can afford to hire me 

**This is all put in a folder with side pockets and dropped off, or mailed

What to Expect:

Schools want to know,"What can we do to make it a success?"

Authors want to know the same, "What should I expect and how can I make it a success?"

Always plan ahead.  Address as Much as Possible When You First Set it Up:

* Be honest and open about what you will do and how much you will charge. State your daily rate and the number of presentations you can, or will, do for that daily rate. 

Fees: 

Most of us set our own fees, depending on our experience level.  

In the case of an author with a first school visit, you might want to set a low fee to start, just to get your feet wet and to get some school visit references.  

The next year, as a more experienced speaker, and with the references you have from your first year, you could then raise your fee.

* If you are only able to do two presentations per day, make that clear in your first phone conversation with the school.  I can comfortably do five presentations in a day, before my voice gives out.  (I love the schools that only need you to do four ...)

* Be honest about the group size you're comfortable with. If you LOVE speaking to a full auditorium of teachers, students, and at times, even parents, then say so. If you would rather keep the groups small, then tell them that, as well. 

* Keep in mind, the smaller the group, the more presentations you will have to do to include all of the school's classes and teachers.

* Tell the school what props you will need to have on hand for your author visit: easel, pointer, chalkboard and chalk, chair, stool, rocking chair, rug to sit on, microphone, podium, bottled water, tissues.

* Find out where your presentations will be: auditorium (on stage), cafeteria, library, classrooms, hallway or loading dock. Again, talk to the school about the maximum number of students you would be comfortable speaking to -- this is very important.

* Find out where you should park and what time to arrive at the school to meet your contact, the office staff, take a potty break, and to set up.

What Do I Include in a Presentation?

You are  limited only by your own imagination.  Be inventive.  Be different.  Be yourself.

* First and foremost, the teachers and the children know you are a children's author, so if you don't do anything else, read your book(s), or part of your book(s) during your presentation.

I have found that the first five minutes are the most important.  I don't know them, and they certainly don't know me.  

Since I am a children's poet, I always break the ice with them this way:

"How many of you LOVE poetry?"  (gets a show of hands)

"How many HATE poetry?"  (usually one or two hands)

"C'mon, be honest.  How many hate poetry?  It's okay, really."  (more hands)

"Okay. I'm going to take that as a challenge!"

"Did you know poetry touches your life every day?"  (doubtful looks all around)

"When you listen to the radio, songs have lyrics and lyrics are what?"  ("Poems!")

"How about commercials?  Some have rhyme and rhythm. Those are what?"  ("Poems!")

(then I sing the Oscar Meyer wiener song and of course everyone laughs)

"When mom has a birthday, what do you buy at a Hallmark store?"  ("a card!")

(I have a couple of funny rhyming cards I read to them)
What did those cards have?"  ("Poems!")

"Another kind of poem that I know you know.  Tongue twisters!"  ("Yeah!")

I have one I use and I say it slowly first, then have them say it.
Then I say it faster and they will, too.

Then I split the room in half and do a challenge between the two sides ... 

Then I have only the teachers do the tongue twister and ask the kids, "Were they fast enough?" 

The kids always yell, "No!", so the teachers have to do it again. (lots of laughter)
After this, I ask again, "So, how many still hate poetry?"  (no hands at all, only big smiles)

CJ with Tongue Twister Behind on Easel

I use this tongue twister, but I've used others, too:

  

One-one was a racehorse.  

Two-two was one, too.  

When One-one won one race, 

Two-two won one, too.

Anyway, this is what works for me.  It's a great ice-breaker and the kids are  ready for my presentation, because they feel they know me.

More Things to Address Before the School Visit:

* Be clear and up front about what you charge for traveling, room and/or board, and any other expenses you might incur.

* Find out when you will be paid, i.e., the day of the school visit, or in the case of Title One, how long you will have to wait for the board's approval and your check.

* Find out whether the local media (radio, TV, newspapers) will be contacted about your school visit, whether they will attend, whether time will be set aside during that day for interviews and photos. 

Be sure to ask the media for copies of the newspaper article after it appears and make sure they have your address.  This can then be added to your school packet!

* Create an invoice (nearly all schools require one) for services rendered. It should have the name, address and phone number of the school, the name of your contact there, all charges, and a total for your school visit. 

Make sure your invoice has your personal contact information -- I have mine centered at the bottom in smaller print. Mail to the school in advance, and make sure you bring along a backup copy on the day of your school visit, just in case.

Book Sales:

Talk with the school about how book sales will be handled before your school visit.

When and where you will sign books: cafeteria, teachers' room, during lunch, office, etc.,
Who will collect the money?
How much you discount the price of your book(s).  I do, some don't.
Be sure to take pre-orders for books prior to the school visit.

School Visit Schedule:

* Ask for your school visit schedule as soon as they can give you one, so you can plan. You need to know:

How much time do you have for each presentation?  30 minutes?  An hour?
The ages of each group so you can modify your presentation to be age-appropriate.
When to be in your assigned area for signing books with pens, bookmarks, etc., 

(Again, make sure you know when you will do this. During lunch break? After the last presentation?)

* Keep accurate records (copies of everything) for the IRS: the total for the entire school visit, i.e., amount you received for the actual day, or days, of presentations, number of books sold and the dollar amount, any expenses incurred (gas, mileage, plane ticket, room, food, etc.) that were not already paid to you, or for you, by the school.

* After you get home, be sure and send a "Thank You" note to your contact at the school. You never know whether that might make the difference in them having you back another time.

Working With Schools so They Can Afford You:

I have a print-out that I always put in my school visit packet about ways to help a school pay for my author school visit.  Here it is:

"There are Ways to Get Me to Your School for Less"

1. Split the cost of a plane ticket, lodging, and meals with other local schools in your town. I'll spend one day in 'School A', one day in 'School B', one day in 'School C', etc.

2. Arrange to have me come to your school when I'm already going to be in your area and save the cost of a plane ticket, or a charge per mile to drive.

3. Have a school raffle and sell tickets for chances to win a copy of each of my three books, before my visit. I'll even donate the books for your raffle.

4. Arrange for a fun place in your area for me to bring my partner on a mini vacation: a cabin in the mountains, an apartment on the beach, a cute little Bed & Breakfast, etc. You arrange for accommodations for a few days, I'll spend a day at your school for free.

5. Have me come during the time you're having interesting people come. I love meeting other writers or illustrators and I just might lower my price for the chance to get to share ideas with someone new.

6. You're a friend, or relative and I'm going to be in your area for some reason.

7. Arrange to hold a contest: "Dinner with the Author Night". Open it up to the whole town, advertise in the local papers and radio, sell chances for $5.00 each. The winning family will have dinner with the author, the school will more than make the cost of the school visit, and everyone wins. I will even donate copies of my three books as a gift for the winning family.

You may laugh, but I've experienced almost everything on that list.  The ideas work, trust me.

I think that covers just about everything.  If you think of any other questions that I haven't addressed here, please feel free to email me. I'm always happy to help in any way I can. 

I hope you have a great school visit!


Also See:
How to Have Successful Book Signings

Public Speaking: A Necessary Evil 

Important Author's Tool: The Business Card

E-mail CJ

“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Important Author's Tool: The Business Card

Sample Card

When it comes to marketing your books, don't overlook an important promotional item:  The Business Card. It's one of an author's most important tools and they're not at all expensive to have printed.

You are only limited by your imagination, but there are a few important things you should include on your card.  You can also use the back of the card.  I usually do.

Your Website and URL
A Picture of Your Books
Your Photo
Name and Address
Email
Phone Number

I've sold a lot of books using my business card. There are so many uses for it. I'll share some of my favorites, but I'm sure you will come up with many other ways, besides these.  You are only limited by your imagination.

Remember, we're in the business of selling books:

* Bulletin boards in stores and businesses you frequent. Thumbtack your card there with the others.

* While sitting in waiting rooms, on a plane, train, or bus, or any time you're talking to people. Hand them a card while you're introducing yourself.

* At gatherings, class reunions, or while networking with your 'real' job. Hand people both of your business cards.

* Tuck a few inside a book you've sold for the buyer to pass along to their friends.

* Ask to leave a small stack on the counter at your public library. Libraries love local authors ... and so do people who come into the library. They take the cards, trust me.

* If your book is a children's book, strike up a conversation when see a mother with children. Introduce yourself and hand her a card (and maybe more to give to friends).

* Again, for children's authors, any time you meet a teacher, a principal, or school librarian, give them your card.  You might just get a school visit as a result.

* Ask to leave a stack of business cards on the counter with your mechanic, where you take your car, your hairdresser, or even at the gym.

* Buy a small business card holder, have it full of cards for the table beside you at book signings, school visits, or other speaking engagements. Maybe someone won't buy your book that day, but when they take a business card, it's an excellent reminder of your book for later, when birthdays and the holidays come around.

Here's one of my personal favorites.  I've sold a lot of books this way:

* Restaurants. When the check comes after dinner, write "Thank you" on one of your cards and then sign it. If possible, put the name of the waiter or waitress on the card to personalize it. Then leave your card, along with the tip, for your waiter, or waitress.

Often, they will follow me to the door, asking more about my books, wanting to shake my hand, or even to ask for more cards for the rest of the staff.

* The above also applies to anyone giving you good service, i.e., a barber, hairstylist, or the clerk in a department store.

Just remember to always write "Thank You!" and sign your card. Remember, it's an autograph, too.

People love meeting authors.  Use this to your advantage. Have those business cards in your pocket, or purse, and be ready to pass them out. You'll sell more books, I promise.

Here are two companies I've used and they are both very good, with fast delivery:

Moo.com

Vista Print



“A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write.” ~CJ Heck

Cozy Chat with Author C.J. Heck

Author, CJ Heck

Today I did an interview with BookwormSimi which she posted on her "Blissful Blog" (Books, Books, and Some More Books):  

Cozy Chat with the Author, C.J. Heck:

Welcome, CJ.  Let's get to know more about you both as a writer and a person.

Simi: What is your genre? Why did you choose to write it?

CJ:  I write in several different genres, actually. I’ll answer this separately for each genre.

Poetry for Children and Children’s Stories:

I’ve always written poetry, both for children and adults. The children’s poetry is different in that it’s always written from a child’s point of view.

(I like to say that it’s my own inner child who does the writing). The topics I write about are all designed to help children understand the world they live in. They have so many questions and the world doesn’t always make sense to them.

My love for writing for children probably first came from an overactive imagination in childhood. I was always pretending and creating magical adventures. I think I put more miles on mama's broom than she ever did, because it was my pony and I rode it everywhere.

My love of poetry, rhyme, and rhythm came from my mother. When it was raining, she used to entertain us by teaching us tongue twisters while she ironed. My love for both prose and poetry only grew stronger as I went through school and English was always my favorite class.

When I became a mother, I often made up bedtime stories or poems for my three daughters which they wanted retold time and again, which inspired me to come up with even more. When mother heard them, she told me I should write them all down.

From then on, I scribbled poems and stories in notebooks which were piled high on a corner of my desk. I didn't begin writing seriously until the 1990's, when one of my daughters picked up one of the notebooks and began to read some of them. She said, "Mom, you really should DO something with these! They're good. They're really good."

With that thought in mind, I set up a website for children and their parents, posting the poems and stories I had written, plus those I was still writing. Then I began to get requests from parents and teachers, asking where they could buy them in a book.

So, I took a deep breath, exhaled, and decided I would give it six months. I quit a full time job and began the daunting task of sending manuscripts to publishers. After 5 months, (and a pile of rejections) I received a publishing contract for my first book of children’s poetry.

I also have five children’s books ready to go that are in a holding pattern for now. I need an illustrator and that will be expensive!

Poetry (for Adults): Anatomy of a Poet

My adult poetry is most often about my own life, my experiences, my observations of others and how I see the world and my surroundings.

As a baby boomer, I came to the realization that we are all products of our environment. Everyone we meet, each new experience, adventure, book, thought or lesson touches us and teaches something we were meant to know. Life is continually changing us, molding who we were into the unique being we are now.

As Bri Maya Tiwari once said, "There is a brokenness out of which comes the unbroken; a shatteredness out of which blooms the unshatterable; a sorrow beyond all grief which leads to joy, and a fragility out of whose depths emerges strength. There is a hollow space too vast for words through which we pass with each loss, out of whose darkness we are sanctioned into being." 

That quote describes my life perfectly.

One of six children, I grew up in a small Ohio town and married my high school sweetheart at nineteen. A Vietnam War widow at twenty, I went on to marry two more times and then divorce twice. I had three daughters and I now have eleven grandchildren.

I guess you could say, I made a lot of choices, some were good, some not so good, but as one of the poems in the book ends, "...at least I made choices. How sad for those who merely hitchhike along, never daring to choose at all."

Anatomy of a Poet was written over a period of forty years. The poetry is rich with memoir, humor and, at times, it is sensual.

Poetry can be daunting and hard to understand, but it doesn't have to be. I feel I have an obligation to write in a way that everyone can understand what I’m trying to say. I believe poems should flow softly through a poet's words, their meanings easily touching the mind and heart of its reader -- if a poem comes from the heart, it will reach other hearts.

 

Short Stories (for Adults): Bits and Pieces (flash and short fiction and non-fiction)

For a poet, behind every poem, there is an untold story. The original thoughts and ideas for the poem had to come from somewhere. By its very design, a poem can tell only the shortest version of a writer's thoughts, emotions, or experiences.

The twenty-two flash fiction and short stories in Bits and Pieces share the real inspiration, the story, behind many of the poems in my poetry book, Anatomy of a Poet.

Many have nostalgic themes, others share my own blend of humor and sensitivity. They cover subjects like internet dating; a 'woman of the evening' alone in a bar on Christmas Eve; the horror of finding a headless body near a sewer drain in the city, and a grandfather and grandson teaching each other about life and love while in a park feeding the pigeons. Also in the book is one of my personal favorites, which has a surprise ending you won't expect or forget.

Simi:  Are you interested to write in some other genres in the future?

CJ:  At this time, I don’t have any other genres I feel compelled to write in. Down the road, who knows …

Simi:  Which is the first book you read?

CJ:  Hmmm, you’re asking me to remember something from a long time ago! I don’t really remember my very first book.

I do know what book was the biggest influence on me. That was Peter Pan. It's one of my all-time favorite books from childhood and I will cherish it forever.

I was so completely enamored by the premise of flying, merely by believing I could, that I tried to fly from the top of a bookcase. The little scar just above my left eyebrow was a small price to pay for learning that some things are only make believe, even though we wish they were real.

Still and all, I credit J.M. Barrie for encouraging the little girl inside me to stay alive and well and it's why I write for children. Like Peter Pan in Neverland, I hope I never grow up.

 

Simi:  Are you influenced by any authors?

CJ:  In the early 70’s, I was influenced by the poet, Rod McKuen. I was given one of his books and I loved the ease with which he wrote. That time period is when I started writing my own poetry. I was having a difficult time coping with my husband’s death and I found writing to be cathartic and healing. I still do, even now.

Simi:  Do you write more than one book at a time?

CJ:  Not really. Sometimes while writing, I do get ideas for other books, but I just write myself a note, as a reminder for later.

Simi:  Are you a full-time author or you doing some other job?

CJ:  I’m pretty much writing full time now. I’m not working outside the home.

Simi:  Do you prefer pen and paper or Microsoft Word?

CJ:  When I’m home, definitely the computer. When I’m out and about, or on a trip, I keep a notebook and pencil by my side. When I get ideas or thoughts, I jot them down at traffic lights or stop signs.

When I’m in restaurants, or anywhere else, I write on anything I can find – menus, brochures, even on the back of business cards, if I have to. Yeah, you could say I’m a die-hard writer!

Simi:  Which one of your books is the best according to you?

CJ:  Ooooo, that's not fair … that’s like asking a mother which child is her favorite! Every book I’ve written has so much of me in it and each is like a child – I couldn’t choose.

Simi:  Do your family members read your books?

CJ:  I suppose they do, I don’t really know. It’s not something we talk about -- unless I have a new book out and I’ve sent a copy to them. 

To my siblings, I’m just Cath’, their oldest and somewhat eccentric sister. To my daughters, I’m just good ol' dependable, loving, mom, who’s always there for them. 

Maybe I’m wrong, but I don’t believe any of them think of me as being an author. I’m just me and I happen to write.

Simi:  Tell us about your writing journey.

CJ:  As I’ve already described earlier, my writing journey just naturally evolved. It was never planned. It just, well, happened all on its own. 

Simi:  Tell us about your latest book and your work in progress.

CJ:  My next projects are the five children’s books I mentioned. I really need an illustrator for them before I can get them published. Trouble is, illustrators are expensive, so I’m saving up for it. 

I hope to sell a lot more books! That would certainly help! (hands waving in the air and grinning broadly)

Simi:  Do you reply to your readers?

CJ:  Yes, yes, yes! I love it when readers contact me and I always write back. I also enjoy talking with writers who want to be published. We were all new at it once. I always wished I had someone I could talk to about the whole process of getting published.

Simi:  Share some writing tips with us.

CJ:  Gee, I don’t know that I have any writing tips, other than those you’ve probably heard a million times. 

I do know that editing is one of the most important things a writer can do. You have to read what you’ve written with the idea in mind to pare down all but the most important words to the story or poem. Say things as succinctly as you can possibly say them and still keep the plot intact. When you’re done editing, then edit again, and again. Proper punctuation is also very important. We all remember the following example, which has two totally different meanings, based on where the comma is placed:

Let’s eat grampa!
Let’s eat, grampa!

Simi:  Do you have any embarrassing tale to share with us? Mine is too embarrassing to share here. :)

CJ:  I had an embarrassing situation once, while doing an author school visit. 

During a presentation to an auditorium full of teachers, parents, and children, I was in the middle of saying one of the poems and I literally forgot how it went. I forgot my own poem! 

 I started to laugh and apologized and then the children surprised me by picking up where I had left off. They recited the poem word for word. 

When they were finished, I clapped for them. With each successive poem, they continued to recite it along with me, which was wonderful! I was totally humbled by the experience. It’s still one of my favorite (and most embarrassing) school visits.

Simi:  Study books used to work for me like sleeping pills. So, I had to either listen to some good music or eat my favorite snacks (read- junk foods :)) to keep my eyes open. Do you have any weird habits such as this?

CJ:  No, not that I can think of.

10 Fun Facts:

Favorite Color:  Forest Green
Favorite Book:  The Stand, by Stephen King
Favorite Author:  Nicholas Sparks
Favorite Movie:  Pay it Forward
Favorite Actor:  Tom Selleck (Magnum P.I.)
Favorite Actress:  Meg Ryan
Favorite Song:  Always and Forever, Luthur Van Dross
Favorite Singer:  Jimmy Buffett
Favorite Snacks:  Fruit, like Cherries and Strawberries
Favorite TV Show:  NCIS

Rapid Fire Round:

Love or Friendship:  It’s got to be both, together
Vampire or Werewolf:  Neither
Amazon or Smashwords:  Amazon
Chick-Lit or Historical Regency:  Neither
Robert Pattinson or Ian Somerhalder:  Who?

5 Things Your Readers Don’t Know About You:

1. I’m shy, except when I’m talking about my books to groups, or in school visits.

2. My bra size (Hahahahahaha)

3. I hate to iron

4. I helped to deliver one of my grandsons

5. I once assisted a coroner while he did an autopsy. He was looking for a permanent assistant and asked if I would be interested. I said I didn’t know, but I was willing to try.
I decided to look at it in a clinical manner and I did fine – within five minutes, I was belly up to the table! 

I found out afterwards that the pay was only going to be $6.50 an hour.
I turned the job down ... but at least I know I could do it.

CJ: YAY! This interview was fun! Thank you, Simi.

Simi:   Glad that you liked it. Nice to talk to you and I wish you all the best for your future works!

Author’s Bio:

A native of Ohio, CJ is a published poet, writer, blogger [3 blogs] and author of five books. 

She has three daughters, eleven grandchildren, and lives with her partner, Author Robert Cosmar, in Florida. CJ is also a Vietnam War widow.  

Her books are all available on the Amazon widget in the sidebar.

BookwormSimi's Blissful Blog

Children & School Visits

Children are so Forgiving if you Goof Up

Want to know what my favorite part is about doing an author school visit?

EVERYthing!  I love every part of it.

Even my inner child loves doing school visits -- it gives her a chance to get out, stretch her legs, exercise her sense of humor, and be among people her own age for a little while.

Of course, I have to rein her in every now and then -- she takes such liberties, at times -- tsk tsk, you know how children can be ...

What surprises me is how many children's authors I've met who have no interest in doing an author school visit. They don't know the fun they're missing. For me, it's the icing on the cake. It's the best part about being a children's author.

Writing the book was the hard part; finding a publisher was right up there with hard, but more of a pain in the butt than anything else. School visits are the best part of being published.

In talking with some authors, it comes down to speaking to a group, any group. Doesn't matter how old the group is, they don't want to do it. I guess I have to respect that ... to each his own. What they don't seem to realize is, children are so honest and trusting. They hold you in awe and high regard because you "wrote a book" -- jeepers, they don't even care what kind of book! They only know that you wrote it, so they trust that you must be 'pretty special'.

Children are also very forgiving if you goof up. As long as you still own the ability to laugh at yourself, goofing up isn't a problem, it's actually a positive, and can be an ice-breaker, if the ice hasn't already been broken by the time you goof up.

School Visit, Worcester, MA

I don't know how many times over the years I've screwed up a line from one of my own poems. Solution: make a silly face, say the line the way it should be said, and say something like: "Oh man, I sure screwed that up, didn't I? I don't even know my own poem! Sorry 'bout that." And then laugh -- they'll laugh right along with you.

Bada-Bing-Bada-BOOM.  Forgiven.

So, if you're a children's author who doesn't yet do school visits, please reconsider. Send me an email if you need more information, or call me and I'll give you a pep talk. (The number is on here somewhere).

It's fun signing autographs between presentations. It's wonderful getting hugs at the end of a long day, and it feels really good to walk down the hall and have children smile, wave, or call out your name ...


"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck

Short Story: The Way Home

by Robert Cosmar

One day, God sat with three of His friends waiting for the return of two of his creations, Man and Woman. He had three special gifts He wanted to give to them.

As the two creations approached, a big smile came to God's face, but He also sensed that something was wrong. The creations were hiding something. He could tell. Still, God decided to keep His own counsel and not say anything. He wanted to see what would happen.

"Hello Father" said the two almost at the same time, as they approached. “We would like you to meet some friends we brought along with us. We met them on our journey.

"Fine," said God as He looked at them. He loved them both dearly and wanted only the best for them. "Where are they?" God asked.

The two were so nervous that they forgot to check what had happened to their new companions. Looking around, they spotted them hiding behind some rocks. Excitedly, they waved and motioned for the new friends to come closer. Timidly, each one came from behind the rocks, or crawled out from under the rubble that lay along the path.

God frowned as He saw them approach. He knew all too well who they were, but realized that by granting His creations freedom, they were free to choose their friends.

 Slowly, the five new friends approached God and his two creations.

"Father, I would like you to meet our new friends. This is Pride. This one is Reason. Here is Logic. This is Ego, and the shy one is Fear." said the male creation, as if he were seeking approval from God.

"I see," said God," and where did you meet them?" He asked.

"Well, after You gave us the freedom to explore Your kingdom and learn what we could, they just ... well, appeared." The male creation answered.

"Yes, we became confused and anxious one day as we walked and talked between ourselves. We began to wonder who we were inside." The female creation stated.

God smiled at them, while at the same time, their companions sought to hide behind them and shield themselves from any direct contact with God. "Well this changes everything," said God, with a knowing look in His eyes.

The two creations looked surprised and a bit stunned. "What do you mean?" they asked.

"Well, I had three valuable gifts to give you both, but now I cannot give them to you," said God.

Sadness filled their hearts as they felt an inexplicable loss within their being.

"But, continued God with a compassionate smile, you can choose to receive them because you have your own freedom to choose.

The two creations began to beam, their faces alight with smiles. (God always gave great gifts).

"However," said God, “there is a choice you will have to make."

The smiles turned to concern and uneasiness as they realized for the first time that they would have to make a decision and the responsibility would be on their shoulders. Up to this time, they were always used to God giving them everything.

"My gifts will have nothing to do with your friends. It is not that My gifts harbor any ill will towards your friends, but rather, it is that they have nothing in common with them," said God.

"Well, can we see Your gifts and may we talk to them?" asked the two.

"I am sorry, My children, I cannot do that. You will have to trust Me and decide for yourselves," said God

A perplexed look came over their faces and for the first time they felt an inner alienation from God. They had always let Him decide and now they were going to have to choose. Not knowing what to do, they decided to confer with their new friends.

God watched and knew what would happen. It was inevitable. It was necessary. For them to know the importance of His gifts, they had to experience the freedom to go their own way. They needed a reference point from which to compare His gifts against their choices.

A short time passed and then they spoke. "Father, we have decided to go with our friends. We will discuss Your offer in more detail with them. They have some excellent suggestions and we think we need more time to explore them."

"Fine," said God. I will even create a world for you in which time exists. This will be a place where you can be away from My influence and learn from your friends. But, I warn you, there is a danger there. In that world, you could forget how to contact Me and you might not remember My gifts for you."

The two looked worried, but their new friends assured them they would be beside them so they would not feel alone.

"Have you reached your decision?" asked God.

"Yes, Father, we want to go to the new world with our friends," they answered.

"Very well, children. I would like you to meet My gifts now," God told them.

"This is Wisdom. Over here is Understanding, and this one is Knowledge. They are My closest counselors and they help Me in all that I do.

I was prepared to share them with you, but you have chosen otherwise. You will now experience the freedom to choose, along with your friends’ counsel, in the place you have chosen.

Remember what I have told you about the danger of forgetting these gifts. I have placed a longing in your hearts, which will grow weary, in time. You will create and discover many things in your new world, children, but they will not last.

So you will not despair, I am giving you yet another companion to help you remember your true hearts. This one is called Death."

"What is Death, Father?" asked the two creations.

"It is a friend of Fear, over there. Death will also help you to remember what is really important and expose the true nature of your friends’ counsel to you. It will help your hearts to seek Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge and they, in turn, will help you remember Me and seek your true home again.

The two creations smiled wanly at each other as they turned and walked away from God with their new friends. It seemed with each step, a loneliness filled them. Something was leaving them and they could not understand what it was.

Fear, Pride, Ego, Reason and Logic all explained that it was okay, because they were with them. Soon they arrived at the place with time that God had created for them. The lonely feeling left and was eventually replaced by excitement for the beauty and abundant possibilities they found in this new world.

Together, all of them discussed great plans and shared new ideas about this world and what they might do there. Nonetheless, something was missing. They missed God and, over time, they realized they had forgotten how to even contact Him, just like He said would happen. They even forgot where He was and what He looked like, so they made up stories to hold the memory, so to speak.

But, even the stories did not help them. Something was missing in the stories and fables. While they distracted the mind, the very core of their being felt lost, alone, and very empty.

As the years went by, Fear and Death at times would remind them of their emptiness, but they would just talk to Reason and Logic and forget again. It was even worse for their children, because they grew up with only the stories about God. They had never had the experience of His presence. Their despair was far greater.

Finally, in their later years, and with the help of Death, they began to see that Pride, Logic, Reason, Ego and Fear had lied to them all along. They had promised a fulfillment they could not deliver. God had been right!

A horrible despair filled them both as they saw the choices of their life and realized the dire consequences. But while Death was showing them the truth of their condition, he also reminded them of the promise that God had given them with Death. They were to remember their hearts and that Wisdom, Understanding and Knowledge were there to lead them home again to God.

Tears filled their eyes as they realized that all their striving had been in vain. Through all the years they had been away from God. Nothing had ever really mattered, except Wisdom, Understanding, Knowledge and knowing the way back home.


Robert S. Cosmar is a writer, blogger and the author of four books.

The Magic of Love and Intimacy
Awareness: Being Fully Alive
Trilogy of Awareness
Big Little Book of Whispers

Visit Robert's Blog


"A writer soon learns that easy to read is hard to write." ~CJ Heck