Teachers Among Us

[Peg Herring]

I spoke to a group of teachers yesterday with the idea of motivating them. (Now there's a tough sell on a Wednesday afternoon in March!)

It got me thinking, however, about teaching and learning among writers. Many of us are former educators, which doesn't surprise me. What does surprise me is how well authors teach what they know to others, whether they are former educators or not. We love revealing how we achieve our "formula." If we were scientists, we'd be locking it up in a safe somewhere, protecting our brilliance from theft. We entertain questions and answer them as best we can. If we were politicians, we'd be hiding the truth in evasion and doubletalk. And we never seem to tire of discussing how it's done and how to do it better. If we were teachers...well, this time of year anyway, we might hole up in our classrooms and just wait till it's over.

And we're pretty good at educating each other, too. Aside from a few who'd like to convince you that they're the only people on earth who've ever written anything worth reading, authors are both erudite and entertaining speakers. Not surprising, I suppose, in people whose success depends on words, but writing well doesn't always translate to speaking well.

So in general we're pretty good teachers: willing to share, expert in our craft, and warm in extending a hand to those a few steps behind us. Too bad there isn't tenure for writers: I'd love some assurance that all my sharing and caring could guarantee a permanent position.

[Peg Herring]

I really want to go to Crimebake this year. I've never been, but I've met some of the organizers at other events and they make it sound like a great time. Also, a woman at one of my talks in Florida said if I came to the area she'd like me to speak at their library. So that's two reasons to travel east. And then if I met some cool people from CrimeSpace as well....

[Richard Goutal]

There is a short allegorical story, a buzz book really, by an expert networker called The Go-Giver (Bob Burg) which should help alleviate any anxieties. By not locking up the brilliance, by "giving" - there is reward. OK, perhaps like the pop movie, Pay It Forward. In my home business world, we call it "Attraction Marketing" but it works, no matter the field that you are in. I see exactly what you are talking about when going to CrimeBake here in New England. (I'm just a fan and a wannabee!)

[Dana King]

Ah, but you do have tenure. Anyone who enjoys teaching and does it well will always find willing pupils. You may not get paid in cash, but there are many forms of compensation.