Bio:

Catherine Hedge: I am an enthusiastic professional educator, presenter, and writer. I have published prize-winning poetry, non-fiction, and lyrics (B.M.I. member).
I co-authored the Parent's Choice award-winning children's CD, "The Toy Box". Starring Francie Dillon, "The Toy Box" was performed recently by the Sacramento Children’s choir and orchestra. (April, 2008)and at the prestigious Bear Valley Music Festival in California. Selections from "The Toy Box" are currently on the Disney radio channel.
As a guest poet for my school district, I create annual "Teacher Poems" for our NEA celebration of veteran teachers. My non-fiction work is in the Journal of Adolescent and Adult Literacy, International Reading Association. (April, 2008)
I am currently marketing two novel manuscripts.

Philosophy:

I get to work with middle school students. I'm often asked to be a guest speaker as the resident "Real Writer" in my Midwestern school.
Every time I present, I make students stand beside their desks and repeat after me, "When I write, I have the Ultimate Power!" We make fists like the Hulk and lunge forward. After the laughter dies down, I tell them why.

...You are the only person in the entire world who has had your experiences, your emotions...who has seen what you have seen and could explain it in the words you choose. There is no one, ever in all time, who can tell your story except for you. No one can observe the world and report on it the way you can. If you don't write what is inside you, it will never exist. And that is power.

When we write and write well, we also touch others' lives. For those moments when readers read what we have to say, they feel what we have felt. See what we have seen. Even if that person lives a thousand years from today. In that way, when we write, we can live forever.

So, all you writers out there....Stand up. Repeat after me.

"When I write....(fists up. Flex those biceps) I have the ULTIMATE POWER!"

(Dedicated with love to my inspiration, My writing coach, Mr. Leonard Bishop 1923-2003 (Author of "Dare to Be a Great Writer." )

Writer
Full Member
Member since 2009
Region: Kansas

Contact Information

Phone:   785-537-1101
Current Location:   Manhattan
Website:  http://www.peninhand.org

Published In Children's Market: Yes