Using music to inspire writing

Times Reporter

 

Writing can be a difficult thing for some people; you can’t get the words right, the grammar, or the spelling. This is just one of the things Sigmund Brouwer spoke to Sacred Heart Academy, SHA, students about during his Rock and Roll Literacy show. 

“He’s somebody who really talks about how to motivate your kids, he emphasizes that writing doesn’t come naturally to everybody,” said SHA teacher Sarah Watson. 

SHA does literacy week every year, and every year they try to get someone different to come in. Brouwer is the author of more than 30 books, and he will be the first to admit writing is difficult. 

During an undergraduate English course in college, a professor had encouraged him to write because he loved telling stories. It took seven years and a pile of rejection letters before he had his first story published, and three years later his first book was published.  

“The main point I’m trying to make to the kids is, that good stories are like good songs, they make you feel something,” said Brouwer.

“So when you read, look for books that make you feel the way you want to feel, whether they make you laugh, or they are full of mystery and make you curious. When you write, write stories with the goal of hooking your teacher by giving them a story that makes them feel something.”

“He ties music into the whole presentation,” said Watson. 

Brouwer talked about the emotions people get from songs, and then he spoke about stories, and how there are emotions involved with them as well. 

“It’s phenomenal, he’s got us all hooked,” said Watson. 

Brouwer was at SHA for two days, meeting with all of the students, the parents and staff. He also did a writing workshop with the Grade 4, 5 and 6 students. Brouwer has been to Strathmore before to talk to students, and was happy to come back.