Teen Becomes Published Author

mrandolphadvance@gmail.com

A rising 8th grade student at Montgomery County Middle School has earned the title of “published author” after an assignment for school blossomed into his first book, Silent Night.

“I like to write,” 13-year-old Ashton Bland remarked. “It feels to good to see that my essay could turn into a book.”

Bland explained that the creation of the book began when his teacher assigned an essay to the class. The prompt was to write about a mistake that had taught a lesson, and Bland took the opportunity to write about his and his friend Matthew’s adventure one summer night in 2021.

“I wrote an essay about me and my friend, Matthew, sneaking out late at night to go to a pool after we were told to get out,” he explained. “My teacher said it was good and asked me if it could be put it on PowerSchool [for people to read]. I asked my mom for permission, and it went from Power-School to my mom and aunt liking it and making it into a book for me.”

Bland’s teacher Kimberley Pinzon echoed the origin of his book, but shared it was the humor and technique of his writing that made Bland stand out.

“It all started with a typical ELA assignment: write a personal narrative describing a mistake you made that ended up teaching you a lesson. I expected to read stories about miscommunication with friends and family, telling white lies, etc. What I got from Ashton Bland was so much more!” she emphasized.

“Ashton described in hilarious detail the plans he and a friend made to sneak out one night and go swimming in the family pool. His narration was so funny and detailed that it made me laugh out loud! His voice came through clearly in his writing, and that's unusual for a seventh- grade student. I was so proud of Ashton; he had exceeded my expectations.”

She concluded, “Ashton's family encouraged him to publish the story and share it with the world, and I think it could very well be the birth of a legend! I can't wait to see what Ashton comes up with next. We might just have our own tall tales to share before too long!”

The story begins as Bland and his friend hatch the plan to sneak out, and follows them through the endeavor until they are caught. He said the title Silent Night came naturally to him, as he combined the pair’s need to be quiet to avoid being caught with the time of the escape.

Bland’s mom Tamela Brantley also commented on the book. “They did this essay at the beginning of the [2022-2023] school year. His teacher asked for permission to put it on PowerSchool, and I said, ‘I need to go read this thing.’ I read it, and I was amazed at how well written it was. It made me feel good because I saw how great of a writer Ashton is.

“Sometimes, you don’t know how well your kids are doing in school until you actually go back and look at test grades or papers that they have written. When I read his story and saw the conversational and narrative type of writing that he had done, and how colorful it was where it was so vivid that you can really picture them in your mind sneaking out and trying to be mischievous. I thought it was a great job.”

She continued, “His teacher had thought enough of it to share it with the kids at Montgomery County, but I thought, ‘We have to share this with the kids around the world’ because it has a valuable lesson behind it.” He says that after all that [Ashton and Matthew] had done, [they learned] it was best to obey your parents in the first place.

“I still remember how their eyes popped out when they saw me that night,” Brantley reminisced with a laugh. “They were having a good time. Pretty much, when kids get into things, they have a good time, but there are always consequences when you are not obeying your parents, teachers, or anyone that is in authority over you. It’s the same with adults: there is always a consequence for every bad decision.”

The book has provided Bland with several unique experiences – from a book signing, which was held on June 3, to speaking engagements. “I think it is important for kids to try to inspire other kids their age whenever they accomplish things,” his mother shared. “He’s only a 13-year-old, but since this book has came out and by us having his book signing, he has met other people and opened up doors for us. He’s spoken to some churches, and we are getting calls for him to come speak at more churches and camps for him to come and inspire other kids his age.

“Even though this started out as something ordinary or just something he was doing for class, it had become greater than what it started out to be and can inspire kids. It doesn’t matter what you’re doing — dancing, singing, sports, whatever it is — to do it to your best ability because there is someone out there that is going to see what you’re doing and they will see your potential, and will inspire you to go higher than what you are already doing.”

Bland commented, “It feels good [to have these opportunities]. I didn’t know I was going to write a book and I didn’t know I would have so many opportunities.”

Bland and his mother spoke of their gratitude to Pinzon for her work with Bland and the essay, and for her seeing the potential of the story. The young author also said he plans to continue to work on his writing skills, particularly through writing short stories.