Well, @NCTE and @WritingProject '23...That's a Wrap and I'll Take the @AAKnopf @randomhousekids Dinner with Dave Eggers as a Bonus

Anyone who knows me know my story with Valentino Deng, several men from Sudan named in the West as "Lost Boys" and my love for What is the What? This past spring, I received an advanced copy of The Eyes & the Impossible and loved it so much I ordered it for teachers in the summer institute and kids I love to work with. A few weeks ago I received an invitation for dinner to meet the author, but figured it would be an assembly hall. I didn't imagine it would be a sit down dinner and talk. Wow. I will be pinching myself for several years now, but also hoping he will agree to be on The Write Time. 

What a day, NCTE and National Writing Project. A special shout out to Kristen Turner who put together a phenomenal round table session of NWP dreamers. Also, all love to Jennifer Dail who is just cool and let me attend her session on navigating the academics of higher education. 

Alas, I need to depart. I have many miles to drive all day today and I hope I'm in my bed by midnight. It feels like I just arrived, but it's time to go. 

No more leafy walls and dragon-lined ceilings. Good-bye swords, video games, and Winterfell castles. It's time to say goodbye to Columbus. 

Yesterday was a fantastic time and I'm looking forward to Boston '24. But for now, I need to concentrate not the precious cargo I'm transporting across country. 

To all satay for ALAN, enjoy. I wish I could stay.