It was late afternoon on June 6, 1991. Mr. Richard Warner peered out his classroom window observing the robin’s nest in the big oak tree. He wistfully thought, This may be the last time I see those little guys. Then he turned and surveyed his classroom. Desks, once filled with eager and sometimes less-than-eager faces, were empty, reminding him of gazing over the field of flat gravestones in Mt. Carmel Cemetery. He sighed, remembering the days of blackboards and chalk dust that clung to his fingers and always speckled his clothing. After forty years of trying to inspire young minds, Mr. History, as many of his students called him, was retiring. He unpinned the banner that he displayed on his bulletin board on which was quoted George Santayana's famous phrase: “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” He folded the banner and placed it in his attaché case.

Retirement wasn’t something he’d dreaded, well at least not exactly. Richard loved teaching history. In his mind, he was making the past alive for his students. But now he was ready for a new challenge he had been thinking about for some time. A way to use his years of research and storytelling to reach many more young people.

One rainy afternoon, as he sat at his desk correcting papers, a forgotten dream surfaced. When he was a tween, Richard loved to read about history. Besides reading library books, he had almost every addition of “Classic Illustrated.” He would see himself as an aide to Richard the Lionheart and sailing the seas with Sir Francis Drake or fighting for justice with Jean Valjean. With a basement filled with research and classroom storytelling under his belt, he decided to give writing historical fiction for young adults a shot.

His beginning attempts were awkward, filled with historical facts, but he was told by friends that he needed to make the stories more exciting. One person remarked, “It felt as if I were reading the phone book.”

Jim Gavigan, a longtime friend and retired English teacher, talked him into joining a writer’s group. At first, he was stunned. The group’s oral critiques made him realize how boring straightforward facts can be without suspense, conflict, or drama. Richard worked to develop characters with emotions as they treaded among the tapestries of historical happenings. He bred his own curiosity and thirst for adventure into many of his fictional characters.

His first novel was a coming-of-age story set in Renaissance Italy. It was the story of a young man who wanted to be an artist, but his father’s expectations that he become a military man and eventually join the Pope’s guard like himself.

After months of trying to find an agent to represent him, he decided to self-publish the book with the help of Amazon’s Book Baby. The book received positive reviews on the Kindle website. Several readers praised the work for its vivid portrayal of the Rome, the Vatican and the story’s well-developed characters.

 Despite being promised 70% royalties, he earned little from sales. He wrote a second novel and decided for this one he needed a known publisher. Success didn’t come overnight. Rejections were many. Which set him to thinking maybe he should give up on the idea of being a writer and become a substitute teacher.

Jim counseled him, saying, “If you like what you are doing, who cares if it sells.” Richard realized he enjoyed the writing process, and positive feedback from the writing group motivated him. Finally, after months, he found an agent at a writers’ workshop who was willing to promote both his first and second books. The agent landed a publishing house for both books and an advancement for a third book for a trilogy about Renaissance Italy. Over time, he became known as a YA author who writes well-researched, satisfying historical fiction.

 Years later, and after three best sellers, Richard sat in a bookstore, signing copies of his latest book. A young woman, clutching a copy of his work, The Physician’s Apprentice, asked, “Did you ever think you’d become a writer, Mr. History?”

Surprised, Richard looked up. The voice was that of Eva Gooding. She was smiling and holding his book, waiting for his autograph. Eva was a student who was in two of his classes over ten years ago.

Richard smiled. “Eva, how nice to see you again.”

Eva was a star student in both his class titled, Europe Before 1815, and his advance placement Medieval History seminar.

Richard said, “Actually, I spent most of my life teaching history. I hope in a way, I still am. What about you?”

“Oh, I’m a public defender. It’s hard work, but important work and I love it. I guess I took what you said seriously. You know when you would say, ‘Each one of us can do our part to make the world a better place.’”

“I’m so proud to have had you as a student, Eva.”

“You taught me a lot, not only about history, but about life and the way of the world. I will never forget the way you acted out those historical characters in costume. I love the law, but maybe when I retire, writing will be a choice. I already have plenty of stories I can tell.”

“I hope you do. If I’m still around, you can be sure I will buy your book.”

“Now, please give me the book. Richard signed her book with the inscription, “Thanks for being a wonderful student. Aways remember to follow your heart.”

Richard Warner, retired teacher turned author, might have left the classroom, but his passion for history and his love of storytelling are finding new life in the books he now writes.