Movers & Shakers Q&A Series: Sara Brink

Hello Beautiful People,

You may have heard us gush about Close Reads Cafe, one of the most lovely virtual book clubs we’ve come across.  It’s no secret that we are huge supporters of The World Needs More Love Letters, and their Campus Cursive Team.  So, that being said, we’re so pleased to introduce you to Sara Brink, founder of Close Reads Cafe, Campus Cursive Coordinator at The World Needs More Love Letters, fellow book-worm, magical wordsmith, and someone we’re so happy to call a friend.

 

TWT: First things first, can you explain to our readers how Close Reads Café came to be?

SMB: I had developed this burning desire to become a part of a book club. I’ve constantly got my nose stuck in a book, and I’m always looking for good recommendations from friends, so I thought a book club would be the perfect avenue to find similar literary minds who are just as passionate over book discussion as I am. But I couldn’t find a book club that worked for me, whether it was the time it met, or the location, or the type of books they read. So one day I just thought, why don’t I create one myself? It really was as simple as that.

TWT: Do you remember the first book you read on your own? If so, what was it?

SMB: I remember a lot of books that I used to read when I was little—the ones that helped me fall in love with reading. Those are books like The Very Hungry Caterpillar, The Rainbow Fish, Lady & the Tramp, Where The Wild Things Are, Stellaluna, anything by Shel Silverstein. And, of course, anything with the Berenstain Bears or Big Bird in it.

TWT: How do you think we can encourage younger students to enjoy and embrace reading? 

SMB: I think the best way for students to learn to enjoy reading is to allow them the freedom to choose what they want to read. I disliked the majority of the required reading that I was assigned in high school, so it doesn’t surprise me when younger students say they dislike reading; you don’t want to be forced to read something you don’t enjoy. Letting them choose their own titles to read, from genres they like, teaches them that picking up a book can be enjoyable.

TWT: What three pieces of advice would you give to young bloggers?

SMB: Express yourself fully to create a space that represents you, don’t stress over your site’s stats, and find a sense of joy in interacting with your readers.

TWT: What advice would you give to students in high school who wish to pursue a career in writing?

SMB: Don’t let the criticisms and critiques slow you down. You just have to learn from every experience you have and keep trying. If it’s a dream that you really want to achieve, you should never give up.

TWT: In today’s economy, arts programs in schools are being cut. What reasons would you give a politician for preserving the arts? 

SMB: The art classes that I took from elementary school all the way through college really helped me gain a sense of creativity, expression, and critical thinking. Studying the arts also gave me the opportunity to learn plenty of skills. I’d point out that students are unable to gain those vital experiences when those programs are cut.

TWT: Just for fun, what’s your favorite movie and book?

SMB: It’s so hard for me to pick favorites! But I really, really love lists.
Movies: Labyrinth, (500) Days of Summer, Titanic, The Notebook, and Alice in Wonderland…
Books: The Great Gatsby (Fitzgerald), White Oleander (Fitch), The History of Love (Krauss), The Perks of Being A Wallflower (Chbosky)…

TWT: Who is/was your greatest teacher?

SMB: My mom is one of my greatest teachers; I learn valuable lessons from her every single day that I wouldn’t be able to get anywhere else. But I give a lot of credit to my first-grade teacher and my high school English teacher, too; they both encouraged me to embrace my love for reading and writing.

Thank you, Sara! And friends, be sure to add her blog to your must read list, find more about it right here.

Live, Love, Learn,

Megan & The Write Teacher(s)