A. LaFaye: Author, Professor and Inspiration

Written by Lauren Buser. Media by Baylen Whitfield. [divide]

Alexandria LaFaye is a professor at Greenville College. She has a husband, five children, and two dogs, who she loves dearly. LaFaye is a well-known author. In fact, the COR 401 course at GC uses her newest book, “Pretty Omens”. LaFaye says, “My story is atypical. Not many people get where I am like I have.” Thus, her story is worth telling!

“It only took me about 60 seconds, after walking into my kindergarten classroom, to realize that I was very different from the rest of the students. I was a geek,” LaFaye announced proudly, as she explained her story. LaFaye found her love of writing at the young age of eight. She explained how she wished to be liked by other students in her class and decided she wanted to become famous. Looking into the “Guinness Book of World Records,” she discovered the youngest author was six years old. So she decided she would become a famous author at the age of eight. To her surprise, it wasn’t until graduate school when she finally published her first book.

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A. LaFaye loves writing books for children. She said some discouraged her and told her she would never “make it” trying to be a children’s book author. Yet, she prevailed. She signed with a well-known agent who published “The Outsiders.” “He was an elderly man,” LaFaye states, “He was sort of what you would expect to see: corduroy jacket with patches on the elbows.” LaFaye paid him to read 15 pages but to her surprise, he read the entire book! LaFaye explains, “I went and sat next to him and he asked who I was. I figured that if he liked my book, he surely would’ve known me. Assuming, then, that he didn’t like my story, I explained who I was. I watched him, as he clutched my manuscript to his chest and explained to me that he started reading it on his plane ride, and before he knew it had read the entire thing!” She has since written 13 published books and has had many students publish after her teachings.

Alexandria LaFaye writes not only for those who enjoy reading, but also for budding, young authors who need an inspiration. “I feel God gives you gifts,” says LaFaye, “not only to help others, but also to pass them on.” For more information, check out the Children Writers Guild.

Follow A. LaFaye on Twitter: @artlafaye