Professional writer, Greg D’Alessandro, visited with the Creative Writing Club in the high school library on May 6. D’Alessandro has built a notable career writing and producing in a wide range of genres including music, film, TV, online news, and now YA fiction.

Several weeks before the visit, D’Alessandro gave the club members copies of his new book Ava Blue: The Last Lorelei. He invited the young writers to read the book and make notations about the things they like and don’t like. He also encouraged them to consider what parts of the story they would like developed in a sequel (now underway). His visit with the students opened with a conversation about their opinions, insights, and suggestions on this book. The students enjoyed this opportunity to have input into an ongoing project; the book is now being pitched for a TV show.

The students were also eager to hear about D’Alessandro’s life as a writer, his daily writing schedule, his process of writing (yes, he always uses an outline), the publication process, his work on 17 scripts for Pretty Little Liars, his work with Nickelodeon, and his current projects. Relating his work to the students’ efforts to complete their projects, D’Alessandro gave sage advice: “Writing is about re-writing.”

The visit ended with a book signing and D’Alessandro’s offer to read and give feedback on the student’s writing anytime they email him their work.