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MEET ERIN DEALEY
by Bonnie O'Brian

What did you most like to do when you were a child?

Erin Dealey

Climb trees, ride bikes, play tetherball

Did you write stories when you were growing up?

No. I wrote notes to my friends. We made up puns and jokes. As a teenager, I copied the lyrics to my favorite songs so I could sing along.

When you were a child did you ever think you were going to be a writer?

I never thought I’d grow up to write books and neither did my teachers! My school journals are full of riveting entries like, “It’s the same thing today and I don’t know what to write!” In high school, my friends took Creative Writing and I took Drama. As it turns out, children’s books are a lot like theater.

Did you pursue a writing career in college?

In college, my plan was to become a math teacher! Math was my favorite subject because you knew when you were right or wrong—and how to fix it!) I ended up with a credential in English and Art.

When did you start writing and what inspired you to start?

As a high school Theater teacher, I wrote skits and plays for my students as well as elementary classes to perform. My first published play, “The Christmas Wrap Rap,” was in Plays magazine. One day I picked up a YA novel that someone had left behind and thought, I could do this. My mom always said, “You never know until you try.” I decided to try.

What kinds of things inspire you to write?

Life--all the students I’ve ever taught, my daughter, and the kid inside me who never grew up.

Have any of your fiction stories been about real people or events?

My most recent book, TALK ABOUT A GREAT INVENTION!, a 2 nd grade paired reader, is about Alexander Graham Bell and Thomas Watson, and the “mistake” that led to the invention of the telephone.

What do you most want the students to get out of your school visits?

As a teacher, I use every opportunity to motivate kids to read and write. Many remember my motto, ”The sloppy copy is your friend.” My school journals prove that I was not the best writer in my class. The fact that I loved puns and jokes tells me words were important to me. But I thought I was going to grow up to be a professional tetherball player… I encourage students to do their personal best. You never know where your path might lead.

Has anyone ever written you a fan letter that you’d like to share?

Many! Here are a few:

…You are the best person. That realy help me to remind to do my work ever day. The assembly was so funny I couldnt stop laphing. Every thing was good. from Ahidee

Thank you for signing my book. I will never forget that the sloppy copy is your friend from Ahmed, 3 rd grade

I really enjoyed your asembaly at my school. It was great because you used many fun ways to make us understand about the books you write. You gave us tips about how to have confidence in our own writing…If you stop writting, you could go into comedy.

Sincerely, Kendra

Thank you for the great assembly! I will never forget your advice of if I work at something I can become anything I want to be!...You inspired me to try my best at everything.

Sincerely, Daniel G, 6 th grade