This week I’m co-facilitating my district’s third annual Teacher Summer Writing Institute. The ever-gracious author Matt de la Peña spent the first day guiding us deeper into the craft. He prefaced one portion of the session with “Reading is the ultimate form of empathy”—reminding us writers to get out of the way and let characters be the stars of our stories. He began, oddly enough, with asking us to describe the media center learning space where we were gathered in three or four sentences.
I have loved libraries all of my life. I quickly wrote: Spacious, welcoming, a vast array of books on shelves. A spotless carpet of soft blue; effort is made to keep it neat. This is a place that invites silence, thought, reflection—a clean, well-lighted room.
All right, I confess that I borrowed that last phrase from Hemingway. But the room WAS well-lit . . . and clean . . .
Then de la Peña threw down the gauntlet: “We’re going to add an emotional layer. Now describe this room from the perspective of a struggling reader.”
I blinked.
I looked at that description I’d written, the words I’d used.
Welcoming. Invites.
Would I feel that way about this place if I didn’t love to read?
Already I felt something quite different as I slid into the character’s mind and shoes, as I looked through eyes so different from my own . . .
It’s huge and full of books and all I want is to be first in line so I can get to the Lego wall or the headphones — across this sea of blue carpet — I’ve got to run on water to get where I’m going or be drowned in books — I can swim in pictures but only for so long. Will I drift and drift forever? Just let me anchor myself to that Lego wall or those headphones, please . . .
—If reading is the ultimate form of empathy, then perhaps writing is the penultimate form.
All I can say is, for the first time in my life, my need to escape books was necessary. Palpable, urgent.
Alarming.
And I was only imagining.
*******
More to share in subsequent posts, but deepest thanks to Matt de la Peña for his work of heart today — the exercise in empathy and emphasizing the value of emotional diversity in children’s books.
And for “recalibration moments.”
lit bits and pieces 
That is wonderful on so many levels: empathy, craft, voice and more. Thanks for sharing your learning.
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Wow! What an experience. Thanks for sharing this work. You have me thinking. I hope to read more.
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Just think of how our response can change based on out point of view Time in someone else’s shoes is always valuable. Thanks for sharing your thinking and your writing! 🙂
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Perspective, point of view is everything in writing. I love how your energy showed through both pieces. And Matt de la Pena? Wow! Just wow!
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I like the writing exercise and how the setting is based on an emotional response to it. It is a great reminder of the empathy we cultivate as writers and readers. Also, the summer writing institute sounds like fun. Hope you enjoy the rest of it too!
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POV, voice, empathy = writing dominoes. Thanks to you & Mr. de la Peña for the reminder.
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Thanks for sharing both versions- your perspective sure can change a scene! A summer writing institute sounds wonderful!
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What a remarkable exercise in the power of perspective! Thank you for sharing the full range of your experience.
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Wow, Fran! What powerful experience and post. Perspective and empathy-they’ll be on my mind as I plan for a group of teachers gathering to reflect and write next week! Thank you!!
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I love the two perspectives of the library. What a wonderful opportunity for your school.
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So lucky to have Matt guide your writing!
Your words were powerful and reminded me of the need to add more emotion to my writing.
Thanks for the nudge.
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Wow, Fran! This is gorgeous on so many levels! I am definitely going to share this idea. Matt is brilliant! How fortunate are you and your teaching colleagues!
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nice share…
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This is a powerful perspective. Every so often, I spy a child in the library who is either overwhelmed or working hard to avoid checking out. I consider them my particular projects, to find just the right book that unlocks that desire to work through the struggle and read. It’s also one of the reasons I have a variety of wordless books in a special section.
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I know beyond the shadow of doubt that a child need not fear drowning in your library, on your faithful watch. Being that you’re the safe haven.
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What a powerful recalibration. What a powerful exercise. And your writing – so vivid that I, too, felt like that child who had to walk on water just so she wouldn’t drown in a sea of books. This is ringing in my head and making me reconsider so so much. Thanks for sharing.
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Thank you, Amanda:)
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