Acclaimed Author Visits Marlborough High School

From Marlborough Public Schools: On Wednesday, Feb. 1, acclaimed author Julie Berry visited with students of the Marlborough High School (MHS) Book Club to discuss her writing process, evolution as a writer, and to discuss her newest published book, “The Passion of Dolssa.” Of the hundreds of books published for young adults last year, only one book, “The Passion of Dolssa,” won the Printz Award, and only four were chosen as Printz Honor Books.

Ms. Berry stressed to the students the importance of keeping a notebook to jot down ideas as they emerge. She encouraged the book club members to “capture random ideas because when you put them together, you may have a great story idea.” When asked about her approach to character development, she responded, “My characters aren’t based on real people—this would limit me. Characters sort of emerge and create themselves.”

Although Ms. Berry studied technical writing in college, she didn’t know she wanted to be a professional writer until after her youngest of four children was born. As an adult, she returned to school to earn her Masters in Fine Arts for Writing for Children and Young Adults. Before beginning her career as a novelist, Ms. Berry wrote a humor column for the MetroWest Daily News and received positive feedback about her skill. Since then, she has written eight books that have captured the imaginations of many young adults and received praise from the publishing world. Ms. Berry’s next book, “The Emperor’s Ostrich” intended for ages 8 – 12, will come out in June, as well as another more serious YS book yet to be revealed.

Ms. Berry’s visit at MHS inspired the students to treat their ideas as valuable, and stated, “writing is like homework, you have to squeeze it in.” Alsyon Cox, the MHS Book Club Advisor, was delighted that Ms. Berry shared her vision as a writer with the club members and looks forward to her return to MHS to converse with more aspiring writers.

Photos courtesy of Marlborough Public Schools: (first image from left to right) Michaela Zouharis, Elise Lowe, Sarah Hayward, author Julie Berry, Liz Sanford, Savannah Loris, Ivy Kee, Jacqueline Lacerra, Book Club Advisor Alyson Cox, Jan Rivera.