I went to a large consolidated school in Appalachia. And I wrote the story when I was in the second grade and I took it up to the third floor to the school newspaper office that was written and edited by juniors and seniors.

I wrote my first short story for a competition and won second prize. Another competition came up and I won first prize. The first story was published in a newspaper. The second went out on radio.

(The Michigan district) used it as an all-school reader, ... Sophomores, juniors and seniors were reading it and discussing it and discussing it in different disciplines, and I was getting some amazing e-mails back from kids and teachers.

I talked to the seniors and juniors before to have their input, and they were a little hesitant at the start. I think they felt better because everyone had to wear one. It wasn't an option.

I wrote the music column in my high school newspaper.

'Love Story' I wrote on my bedroom floor in about 20 minutes.