Young Author Stresses Writing to LRE Students

by Ronnie Zamora/LFCISD

Katelynn Renteria is only 19 years old, but she has accomplished more as a writer than most people do in a lifetime.

Renteria, whose 2016 published novel “The Other Side of the Law” has received one award, visited Lopez-Riggins Elementary School recently to inspire students to write and dream big.

She has been presenting since she was a 16-year-old sophomore at Harlingen Early College High School, where she graduated as the valedictorian in the Class of 2018. The first school she presented at was at Lopez-Riggins, where her mother Patricia is the school nurse.

Renteria is a motivational speaker with her own website. She has presented to students in elementary schools, middle schools, high schools and libraries all over the Valley from Port Isabel to Rio Grande City.

Renteria gave students a writing prompt called Mindfulness in Writing Practice.

Her first book “The Other Side of the Law” was a Silver Book Award winner in the 2017 Literacy Classics International Book Awards and Reviews. It is targeted to middle-school students.

“It is the greatest accomplishment of my life thus far, aside from publishing my book,” Renteria said.

She is also a motivational speaker and free lance writer.

A sequel to the first novel will “be released in the next undetermined few months. I do have ideas for other projects. They are top secret but they are coming soon,” Renteria said.

The book is available on Amazon, Target online, Wal-Mart online and internationally in websites located in Sweden, the Netherlands and Australia.

“The book is about a sophomore in high school in Texas that secretly is a spy, and she goes all over the world in missions and catching bad guys,” Renteria said. “But I wanted to highlight that her determination and passion is how she gets to do these amazing things.”

Renteria is in her second year at The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley but is classified as a senior because she received her associate degree while in high school. She plans to graduate in May with a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychology. She hopes to attain her master’s and doctorates and look for her dream job.

Renteria’s love and passion for writing exceeds any challenges and obstacles she may encounter in the future.

“What keeps me going is all the readers that have asked me when the second book is coming out, and knowing that I can still advance and continue to accomplish great things.”

Speaking to children and encouraging them to read and write is her passion.

“The whole idea is these kids get motivated,” Renteria said. “It doesn’t matter how old you are, it doesn’t matter where you come from. If you really try, you can accomplish anything. Being able to be an example to them is amazing feeling.”

Mindfulness in Writing Practice

• Reading and writing are incredibly important; they are a skill just like talking! Practicing every day will help you get better at both!
• Creativity is taking what you have and creating something outside of the box, and these writing exercises can help make that happen
• New ideas are there, you just have got to find them!
• All kinds of meditation, try a few and find your fit
• Mindfulness is: Five Senses + Thoughts and Feelings
• You can accomplish anything you set your mind to. If you want to get better at writing or reading, or any goal that you have, go for it! Practice, work hard, never give up, and the possibilities are endless!

“I wanted to illustrate for the readers that it does not matter who you are or where you come from, you can do amazing things just by being you,” she said.

For aspiring young writers, Katelynn said to be successful, you need to never stop being yourself.

“Let the world see who you are and never stop dreaming. If you have a goal you are the only one who can stop yourself from reaching it,” she said.