- April 28, 2024
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Kiarah Griffith-Keith gets her copy of NIL signed by Lynne Matson. Photo by Jacque Estes
Author Lynne Matson signs copies of her book NIL for FPC teachers Kristi Booth and Daphne Williamson. Photo by Jacque Estes
Matthew Pokorny gets an autograph from author Lynne Matson at FPC. Photo by Jacque Estes
Justin Haaf and Robert Harding at the author talk and book signing at the FPC Learning Commons. Photo by Jacque Estes
Guest author Lynne Matson quoted Dwyane “The Rock” Johnson to students in the Flagler Palm Coast Learning Commons, on Tuesday, May 3.
“I'm a huge Dwayne Johnson fan, but the thing I love the most about “The Rock” is he talks about success, and he says it comes down to three things: 'Be humble, hungry, and the hardest worker in the room,'” Matson said.
She told them, to be humble – “Don't be a jerk, kindness matters.” Hungry – “You've go to want it bad. No one can want it more than you. No one will push you harder than yourself." Hardest worker – “I have to work at writing to get better.”
Matson wrote “NIL” the first of a trilogy about an island of teenagers who have one year to escape or they die. The book was selected as a Florida Teen Read last year.
The mother of four children, ages 15, 14, 10 and 8, spoke to students about making time for their passion. Time is the driving force in her books.
“Time is huge. One year or they die,” Matson said about her characters. “They are very aware of what they say and do.”
School activities, classes and homework all take up time, but Matson said there is always time for their passion.
“All you have to do is little seconds,” she said. “Those seconds are yours. Find them, embrace them, and make them count.”
School librarian Sarah Reckenwald had recommended NIL to many of those attending the discussion sessions, and those who signed up for lunch with the author.
Robert Harding and Justin Haaf were two of those students. As they enjoyed their pizza, they shared their reaction to the book and why they wanted to be there, other than the pizza of course.
“The librarian, Mrs. Reckenwald, recommended it,” Robert said. “It's not the typical book I would read. I liked it, but it's not my genre.”
Robert plans to joint he U.S. Marine Corps when he graduates and isn't thinking about a writing career. His interest was in the writing process.
"I was interested in hearing about how authors go about writing a book, and what it takes to become an author,” Robert said.
Justin is also going into the military after graduation – the U.S. Navy.
“I have thought about writing, but it's nothing I have stuck with,” Justin said. “I love reading Young Adult authors, and I only read Young Adult books.”
English teacher Daphne Williamson, and reading and English teacher Kristi Booth also took advantage of the lunch discussion time.
“I haven't written a book yet, but I would love to write one,” Williamson said. “One of the things on my bucket list when I retire.”
Booth has been using NIL to encourage her less enthusiastic readers.
“I read aloud to my students,” Booth said. “My group is generally non-readers, and a couple have gotten into the book and read it on their own, so we were able to discuss it.”
“I want to inspire kids to pursue their passion, whatever that is,” Matson said. “I love to do school visits. It's not just to read and write, but to pursue your passion and pursue your dreams. You can do it. That's why I quote 'The Rock.'”
