You may have heard fledgling rock bands claim that they are, "huge in Japan." Turns out, my husband is HUGELY FAMOUS...with Indian school children. That's right, you can write a literary novel about a college-age doctor during the American Civil War, and in India your adoring fans will follow you everywhere you go.
Take yesterday for example. We were meeting our daughter at the school bus (on a Saturday, no less!) She descended, and as the bus was pulling away, several 10-year old boys in the back of the bus shot out the window to say, "Hello, Mr. Nick Taylor sir!"
Just a few hours later on the playground, a swarm of young boys surrounded him, saying "Hey, I know you! You spoke in my class. You are a very famous author, sir." I documented the moment and then offered to email the boys the picture. (They all had email addresses...Unfortunately I mistakenly sent the picture to a gentleman named Mohammed who replied that the picture was likely not meant for him. Nick was mortified...)
Take yesterday for example. We were meeting our daughter at the school bus (on a Saturday, no less!) She descended, and as the bus was pulling away, several 10-year old boys in the back of the bus shot out the window to say, "Hello, Mr. Nick Taylor sir!"
Just a few hours later on the playground, a swarm of young boys surrounded him, saying "Hey, I know you! You spoke in my class. You are a very famous author, sir." I documented the moment and then offered to email the boys the picture. (They all had email addresses...Unfortunately I mistakenly sent the picture to a gentleman named Mohammed who replied that the picture was likely not meant for him. Nick was mortified...)
I asked Nick - does this happen often? Is India so literate a country that children are enamored of your scholarly pursuits? How are you so popular with these kids? Nick quickly admitted that in another case, a boy had his bus stop in front of where Nick was standing, got off the book with his notebook, had Nick provide an autograph before climbing back on as the bus continued on its route.
As part of his grant, Nick has made a commitment to speak in the community during our time in India. He has a lecture he gives school kids about the importance of plot, setting, and characters. He spoke first at a friend's child's school. They hung his picture in the library the week before his engagement and had the children write down who they thought he was. One child aptly guessed that he was the President of Spain. (Would it were so.)
Last week, Nick went to Violet's school where he spoke to her class along with the third and fifth grade classes. The fifth graders mobbed him for autographs while the teachers stood idly by. One child asked that Nick sign his hand because he hadn't brought paper. Apparently this is where Nick draws the line.
When Nick submits his next manuscript, I think his cover letter should mention his status with Indian school children. 1.2 billion people's kids can't be wrong!
