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by Linda Della Donna

If writing for children were a scoop of ice cream, then a Highlights Founders workshop is a hot fudge sundae.

Attending “Writing Memorable Nonfiction: Pleasures and Possibilities, Problems and Practice,” taught by Peter Jacobi last week was a delicious treat.

Already, I dream of returning for a second helping.

Peter Jacobi is Indiana University School of Journalism’s Professor Emeritus and Adjunct Riley Lecturer. He wrote The Magazine Article: How To Think It, Plan It, And Write It, and Writing With Style.

Peter Jacobi’s classroom presentation was college level, informative, interesting, endearing, and peppered with stories about his days as a journalist “following Nixon around.”

The class was small - 6 students total, and it was held in the living room of the home of original founders of Highlights magazine, Garry and Caroline Myers. We had a busy schedule each morning after a breakfast of blueberry scones, scrambled eggs flavored with cream cheese, slabs of country ham, a selection of berry yogurts, compotes of fresh raspberries, melon, and strawberries, blintzes filled with ricotta and smothered in peach preserves. I sat cross-legged in a fireside chair sipping black coffee, fingerhugging my pen listening to Peter Jacobi reinforce structure. “Tell them what you’re gonna tell them, tell them, then, tell them what you told them.”

Dinner at the Highlights Founders Workshop with fellow students
(Kent Brown is seated at the head of the table, Mr. Jacobi is at front on the left)

Friday evening dinner was shared with my classmates. I sat next to Peter Jacobi and across from Highlights coordinating editor, Kim Griswell, and science editor, Andy Boyles. We were a captivated audience as Kim Griswell spoke about Highlights article needs, Andy Boyle related a personal tale about a family member, and Peter Jacobi reported on a Highlights summer 2006 Chautauqua event.

We were served grilled baby lamb chops, corn pudding, and best-you-ever-ate potato salad, followed by strawberry shortcake, dolloped with whipped cream, by Highlights professional cook staff. It was a night I will not soon forget.

Saturday evening, Kent Brown, Highlights Editor in Chief Emeritus, stopped by and joined in the fun. We listened to stories about the history of Highlights, his Grandmother Myers’ house, and as a special treat, tales of the late “Uncle Jack.”

Sharing at a Founders Workshop ended the day. My sleeping accommodations were private and cozy. As each attendee is assigned her/his own cabin, complete with twin beds, desk, dresser, comfy chair, mini refrigerator, coffee maker, and private bath, it was no wonder I had difficulty leaving. Nestled in the rolling hills of Pennsylvania woods, I was reminded of Goldilocks and the three bears. Everything there was “just right.”

At Highlights, Founders Workshops are open to writers of all levels and offered year round. I find them more delightful, more personal, more writer-friendly than huge events. I’m one of those weird writers who relishes privacy and people. At Founders, it’s the cherry on the sundae.

You can learn more about Highlights, Founders Workshops, and the fine teachers who teach them by visiting http://www.highlightsfoundation.org

Be sure to read requirements carefully, and sign up early. Classes are limited to no more than 12 students, and they fill up fast.

If you go, tell ‘em, Linda Della Donna sent you.

Writer Linda Della Donna