This evening will mark what I think is the 6th (or 7th?) time that a school year has closed and our creative writing club, the Rough Writers, has closed for the summer. As such, it’s our tradition for me to take everyone down to Sonic for whatever they want to eat or drink. It’s my way of saying happy summer to some and farewell to others. In years past, I have had to say goodbye to some students who ended up being pretty good friends. This year, there are only two that fall into that category.
And because I am a teacher, I am constantly looking for a last word of advice to give them. But at this juncture, I have run out of words. Tiffany and Cassandra, you have heard my “words of wisdom” many times before, and in multiple venues. You are also both accomplished writers at this point. So I guess there is only one bit of advice left, and it comes down to one five-letter word.
Write.
A writer isn’t doing anything but lying to herself if she doesn’t write. There are way too many wannabes out there who like to call themselves writers in public, but somehow don’t find the time to sit in front of a keyboard. I know that you two aren’t like that, and I look forward to seeing your byline in magazines, on Amazon and maybe even on the New York Times Bestseller list someday.
In the meantime, suffice it to say that I am very proud of both of you. You may think that I had a lot to do with your development as writers, but the reality is no one can teach anyone else how to write. All we can do is teach by example. And I hope that you will be blessed, as I was, to teach someone else the joys and travails of writing in days to come.
God bless you both and I look forward to editing your next book this summer.
The Great Adventure 
Love this post. And I agree with you. They definitely have veins of steel when it comes to writing. Such a gift! And a gift not to be wasted.
Farewells are always bittersweet. I never had you as a professor, but you have a large impact on many of SWAU students’ lives.