“Today, I’m going to inspire you.”

And, he did just that.

Novelist Vincent Sachar, author of “The Nowhere Man” and “Nowhere Out,” visited Cox HIgh School this week to speak to an assembly of English and journalism students about the art of creative writing and the use of imagination.He also stressed that in this new age of technology that there are different options now available to young, aspiring writers.

His presentation began quite simply; asking students why they would believe we are only born once. In answer to his own question, he drew on Mark Twain’s quote, “The two most important days in your life are the day you were born and the day you find out why.”

He went on to discuss his previous employment as a corporate attorney, but that his “why” moment occurred when he actively began to write his first novel. Sachar encouraged students to “just write,” and the importance of finding a passion and to continuously water the seed of that passion.

Sachar also spoke to students about the importance of learning both in and out of the classroom, as what one takes from their early education, however small, are the building blocks to creativity.

Sachar was joined by his wife, Gwen, and his daughter, special education teacher at the school, Victoria Sachar Milosevich.