Author makes reading, writing fun for Willow staff, students

Frontiersman staff

What does an old ex-logger and horse trainer from Montana have to teach students at Willow Elementary School about writing? Plenty!

Author Tom Harpole spent last week with students and staff, instructing and encouraging good writing skills.

In true logger fashion, Harpole wanted to be worked hard, so the students and faculty would benefit.

"Use me like a work mule," he said upon arriving at Willow Elementary.

Harpole took up writing at the age of 42 after an accident disabled his right arm.

In the past 10 years, he has wrangled magazine assignments that have taken him to Argentina, Brazil, South Korea, China, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Canadian Arctic, Russia and Alaska. His writing has taken him to some of the most remote locations in the world.

For two years he honed his skills at the University College of Galway in Ireland, among Ireland's best in the Irish National Writer's Workshop.

Harpole shares his talents through teaching writing workshops for students from elementary school to university.

Last week, Harpole taught Willow students simple and effective guidelines for better writing and inspired them to write, write, write.