Roxbury, MA, February 2, 2009 — STEP supported Job Shadow Day in Boston, which was organized by Boston PIC. This year, over 900 students traveled throughout the city to have the opportunity to spend the day experiencing a work environment. STEP met with students from the John O’Bryant School High School and Madison Park High School all of whom were interested in creative writing. STEP introduced these students to Tessa Dahl, who is the daughter of Roald Dahl, the much loved author of endless children’s books including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.
Tessa Dahl is also an accomplished writer and actor and after speaking with the students and answering their well crafted questions, she encouraged them to write about their Job Shadow experience and the following was shared:
Yessica, Junior at John O’Bryant High School wrote:
“…I realized that she is so deeply inspired by her father, Roald Dahl. That inspired me. Her charismatic way of speaking and those tips she gave us to improve our writing really got to me. She explained that her father told her children’s stories and told them to make observations about the world around them so they can create a closer connection to the reader when inventing characters. She told us her father mentioned “Do not read a book when you are writing a book” because when you read someone else’s work you pick up their styles and it’s important to develop uniqueness that is shown through your writing…”
Tom, Junior at John O’Bryant High School wrote:
“Meeting Tessa Dahl re-enforced my decision to go into a writing career. At first, I was unsure about going down this lifestyle, but now I am convinced that this is where I belong. Writing is perhaps the greatest form of expression which allows the reader to have a first person point of view of what the author sees. Ms. Dahl is very knowledgeable about the world of writing and I will be sure to follow her teachings with no hesitation. I’ve learned that writing waits on you, work is produced whenever you are ready to write again”
Orlanlly, Junior at Madison Park wrote:
“In Job Shadow, I met a writer with whom I could relate. Writing comes to me in many different ways. Writing could be the best form of expression, even when I have to write about pain, love or hate. Writing is something that runs through my veins. When I’m sad or depressed the first thing I do is take a pen, to be able to write I think is the best because with every letter I get to know myself”
