Children’s book author and illustrator Yangsook Choi inspired aspiring writers and artists in her workshops with elementary students. The bestselling author traveled an indirect path towards publishing. Born in South Korea, she now lives in New York City, and before she made books she was “waiting tables at a smoky Korean BBQ restaurant, flying as a flight attendant, and drawing tiny pictures on fake nails.”
Choi impressed upon the children that to be a successful writer they should persevere and keep practicing their art. She had to weather “200 plus rejection letters until I lost count.” And even as an established bookmaker, she draws characters “over and over again to understand them, seeing them through the eyes of empathy.” For The Name Jar, she explained that she wrote 30 drafts before the book was printed.
Students were intrigued by her creative process as Choi narrated a video tour of her “story studio.” In her playful office was an “imagination chair” next to a view of her neighborhood, a wastebasket with a shark’s mouth that gobbled up crumpled drafts, and a wall on which to freely doodle.
For the Willow class Choi led a collaborative storytelling activity of a chameleon/turtle/hedgehog character on a quest. And with the lower elementary classes, she had the kids draw a cat composed entirely of letters. Additionally, she had them write an illustrated letter to someone they loved.
A third workshop was held for a smaller group of storytelling students. They shared samples of their creations with feedback from Choi. “Listening to her made me see that I could be a writer too,” said one participant.
With an understanding that the creative process is inspiration plus hard work, aspiring writers could visualize a path towards being bestselling authors themselves.
–Wind Edward Kim