As the official biographer of one of literature’s most famed authors, two-time Bram Stoker award winner, nonfiction writer and professor at Columbia College, Sam Weller made an exciting appearance on the grounds of ACHS Monday, March 20. Well-known for his biographical writing skills in describing the life of Ray Bradbury, Weller shared much on his story of becoming a writer and deep inspiration from personal contact with Bradbury and the reading of his world-renowned novels. He encouraged students to find an impact in their life and seek pursuit towards this passion in the form of writing.

“Remember to always do what you love and love what you do,” Weller said. “Like Bradbury, you will never have to work a day in your life.”

Highlighting him as a “boy who never grew up,” Weller promoted a variety of Bradbury’s works including Fahrenheit 451, Dandelion Wine, A Sound of Thunder and The Martian Chronicles. Inside these explanations, he made a clear point of how writing involves creativity and work ethic to form a masterminded piece that attracts readers. With the use of a word bank holding simple words or phrases, he suggested how one is able to take a pronoun and build a story around it.

“[Bradbury] had the word ‘lake’ written down,” Weller said. “He took [the word] and formed a story based off of previous connections and experiences in life involving ‘the lake’.”

From describing the life of one of America’s top 10 literature authors to sharing writing’s affect on his life to encouraging students to pursue their interests, Weller infused motivation and excitement into the atmosphere of Antioch.

“I liked Sam Weller,” senior Lauren Bowers said. “He was very passionate about all of his books and Ray Bradbury.”