“Everyone, I want to expla our project for the week,” said Ms. Dowe, our teacher. “You are going to spend a day in your favorite authors’ shoes.” My best enemy David raised his hand.  “Yes David?" asked Ms. Dowe. “Do you mean we have to find our favorite author’s shoes and wear them?” asked David. “No David, you’re not funny.” Everyone giggled. Jan and I rolled our eyes. “As I was saying, one day this week you will go home and do exactly what you think the author you picked does. Then you will spend the rest of the week writing a report on how it felt, was it hard, and things like that. You may turn in your project early but not late.” said Ms. Dowe. “Class dismissed,” she said. We all bustled to the door. Jane and I walk home. “What author are you going pick?”  I asked. “Probably Paula Danziger” replied my best friend Jane. “Who are you picking?” asked Jane. “That’s top secret information,", I said. When we reached our houses we said our goodbyes and went inside our houses.

When I got home I decided to spend an hour being in my favorite author’s shoes. So I sat at my desk and started writing. (I picked Roald Dahl as my favorite author.)  I wrote a story about a girl who is always chewing gum, and one day she turns into a stick of gum. When my hour was up I started writing my report for Ms. Dowe. I wrote how I thought it was hard to be an author, and that you really have to concentrate. Soon I finished. By that time it was nine o’clock, time to go to bed. In the morning Jane and I walked to school in silence. We weren’t mad, we were just thinking. When we got to school I set my report on Ms. Dowe’s desk. When we were supposed to be reading, I was watching Ms. Dowe. She was reading my paper. When she finished, she called me up to her desk. What was wrong with my story?

“Rosy this is a wonderful story. I suggest you send it to a writing contest.” said Ms. Dowe. I didn’t know what to say. “If you let me keep your paper I can send it to a contest. You will find out if you win in two weeks. They’ll send you an email.” “OK,” I agreed. As I was walking back to my seat I felt stunned. When school was over Jane and I walked in silence again.

At Dinner my family all started hugging me when I told them the news. Two weeks skimmed by. I checked my e-mail. There was a letter from DJ’s writing contest. This is what it said:

Dear Rosey,

You are the winner if this year’s contest. I suggest sending your report to a publisher. Your reward is in your mailbox.

Love,  
DJ

I checked the mailbox. There was a $50.00 check. When I told my parents we all started screaming and hugging. Finally I went to bed. Tomorrow I would tell Mrs. Dowe the news. She would probably help me send it to a publisher. I started explaining the news to Mrs. Dowe. “I think you should ask your mother to help you not me,” said Mrs. Dowe. When I got home from school my mom helped me send my story to a publisher. A month later I got a reply. It said:

Dear Rosey,

We  would like to publish your story. Strangely, there were no mistakes in it. In you mailbox is a  copy of what your story will look like when it’s published.

Sincerely,
Your Publisher,  
Ellen

I looked in the mailbox. I showed my mom and dad. We were all very happy. The next day we showed Mrs. Dowe. She was just as excited, “You are a very talented girl.” said Mrs. Dowe. “Thank you”, I replied. I was truly a real author.

The End