Merritt Memorial School students had an exciting and inspiring visit from acclaimed children's book author David A. Kelly! Best known for his Ballpark Mysteries series, Mr. Kelly captivated students as he shared the creative process behind his books, the inspiration for his stories, and how his own children played a role in inspiring him to become a writer.
During his engaging presentation, Mr. Kelly shared how he develops his mysteries by blending thorough research on different baseball stadiums with the essential elements of storytelling. He also spoke candidly about his journey to becoming an author, emphasizing that success didn’t come easily. Students were fascinated to learn that his first book went through multiple rewrites before it was ready for publication. However, with determination—and the support of editors and his publishing team—he transformed his initial drafts into the beloved book series that so many readers enjoy today.
By the end of the visit, students left excited and motivated—not only to check out Ballpark Mysteries in the school library or bookstores but also to start writing their own stories! Mr. Kelly’s journey showed them that with curiosity and creativity, anyone can become a writer.
A huge thank you to David A. Kelly for sharing his time and wisdom with us! Who knows? The next great mystery writer might be one of our very own Merritt Memorial students!