AUTHORS: AVID READERS CAN BECOME SUCCESSFUL WRITERS

Don't be afraid to dream of turning an avid reading interest into a passion for writing.

So proclaimed Constance Hiser, a Webb City author of children's books who is participating in the Children and Young Adult Literature Festival at Southeast Missouri State University.

"If just one child who attends this festival would one day say he or she was inspired to write after reading one of our books or hearing us speak, I would feel like something wonderful was accomplished," said Hiser.

Wade Hudson, an author and publisher from New Jersey, and Sandy Asher, an author and playwright from Springfield, also participated in the two-day festival.

The festival began on Thursday and will conclude today on the fourth floor of the University Center. Hudson will speak for the International Reading Association on Saturday, from 9 a.m. to 11 a.m., at the University Center's Party Room.

Grade school children from as far north as Farmington and as far south as New Madrid are attending the festival.

"The sooner you begin to make reading and discussing books a family ritual, the greater your chances are of getting a good education and maybe becoming a writer," said Hudson, an author and publisher of African-American children's and young adult books.

Many of Hudson's books are designed to give black children a positive outlook on reading and education. One of his most successful books, "Jamal's Busy Day", compares going to school to earning a living.

"Jamal looks at school as something that is just as important as his father or mother going to work," said Hudson. "I think it's important to have stories that can offer a positive outlook on life. If you work hard at making yourself proficient at something, you can become a success."

Asher, who is a writer-in-residence at Drury College in Springfield, has published 14 novels and three books of nonfiction for young readers. She has also written plays, articles and short stories. One of her plays, "A Woman Called Truth" was performed at Southeast Missouri State last year.

"The message we hope to send during this festival is that there is so much to gain by reading on a regular basis," said Asher. "I happen to think there are born readers the same way there are born writers, but those aren't the only ones we want to reach during this festival. Anybody can gain something from reading if they put the time and effort into it."

Asher has written a short story, titled "Out of Here," about a graduating class at Oakville High, and a children's book called "Where Do You Get Your Ideas."