Ellsworth author Carrie Jones tells how she becomes motivated to write young adult novels Monday at Dirigo High School. She has authored five books, and is originally from New Hampshire. Here, she speaks before the high school’s senior literature survey class. Her appearance is one of several by artists during the past four years sponsored by the University of Maine at Farmington and the high school library. These events aim to promote student motivation and raise aspirations.

Brandon Jonaitis, a senior at Dirigo High School, listens to a presentation by Ellsworth author Carrie Jones on Monday morning. He was particularly interested in how Jones becomes motivated to write. She told about seeing an unusual-appearing man at the Common Ground Fair that inspired her to incorporate science fiction into one of her young adult novels.