Growing up, I was fascinated by the art of writing. Anything within my reach was the perfect tool for writing: a crayon, the last bit of a pencil, a paper bag, a napkin, etc., all worked well for me. I would write the beginning of a song on my way to school and finish it during recess, or a poem in the back seat of my mother's car while driving to my uncle's house. I remember waking up at night with the urgency of writing down all the ideas playing hide and seek in my mind as they pushed and shoved to find their way out of my head. I wanted to make sure to catch them all!

My love of writing remains as strong as ever, except I am now better prepared. When I go places, I usually bring my special tote bag; inside, I keep a variety of my favorite pencils, journals, a few notebooks, and, occasionally, my laptop. "Calipso," published in 2017, started as a resource for teaching writing in my classroom. I was seeking new ways to motivate my students to read and write.

I began incorporating bits and pieces of my story into my lessons to teach the writing process and creative writing. At the same time, I shared my writing journey with them. The students were fully engaged throughout the lessons, and they all participated and contributed in their own capacities. Reading and writing sparked a new level of interest, and they became involved and connected.

The students' genuine reaction to my book, "Calipso," was both positive and inspiring. Their eyes lit up in disbelief as they flipped through the pages. They were amazed and sought reassurance from me, asking, “Wow! Did you write this book, Mrs. Requena? Is it your book? Really?” They asked repeatedly, to which I humbly replied, “Yes, I wrote it! It's my book; you can also write your book someday!” Their feedback was spontaneous, and their interest and curiosity in playing with words and putting their ideas into writing flourished even more.

As the school year progressed, my students were no longer afraid of taking risks in writing. I couldn't be prouder of them. Their understanding of the writing process was evident. They were not just ready to take on a challenge, but eager to embark on their writing journey. Some students even shared their aspirations to be authors like me someday, filling the classroom with hope and optimism.

Bringing "Calipso" into my classroom certainly made a difference in the lives of my students, but it also made a profound difference in mine. It led me to discover what it truly means to be an author and made me the author I am today..