Category: biography

Behind the Scenes: “Making the Moment of a Calculator’s Invention Relatable for Kids” by Jan Lower

March 31, 2023

How do you make a story about math and electricity comprehensible and relatable for kids? Author Jan Lower knew she needed to “show don’t tell,” but how? Finding connections for elementary aged children in the main character’s actions and processes, she crafted each sentence to build a child-friendly and engaging text. Here’s how Jan did … More Behind the Scenes: “Making the Moment of a Calculator’s Invention Relatable for Kids” by Jan Lower

Behind the Scenes: “Discover the Victorious “V” in Voice!” by Caitlin DeLems

March 24, 2023

Voice—mysterious, essential, unique—that quality that every editor wants, the “flavor” bestowed by the author that makes a story come alive. Here Caitlin DeLems shares her struggle to find voice in her nonfiction book PITCH PERFECT AND PERSISTENT! THE MUSICAL DEBUT OF AMY CHENEY BEACH. And you’ll see that even Caitlin’s blog article has voice! GIVEAWAY! … More Behind the Scenes: “Discover the Victorious “V” in Voice!” by Caitlin DeLems

Mining for Heart: “Dishwashing Machine Inventor Josephine Cochrane, Original Boss Lady” by Kate Hannigan

March 10, 2023

Thank goodness for dishwashers! Did you ever wonder who created this time-saving invention? Here’s how author Kate Hannigan found a story of more than the invention.  And we have a GIVEAWAY! Just leave a comment below to get in the drawing for a copy of JOSEPHINE AND HER DISHWASHING MACHINE.  Dishwashing Machine Inventor Josephine Cochrane, … More Mining for Heart: “Dishwashing Machine Inventor Josephine Cochrane, Original Boss Lady” by Kate Hannigan

Especially for Educators: “Write to Persuade the USPS—Deborah Sampson Deserves a Stamp!”

February 17, 2023

As an educator, I always appreciated opportunities to connect learning objectives with real world action. And when those also connect to literature and an inspiring piece of history, even better! That’s why I was excited to hear that there’s a Forever Stamp campaign underway to honor Deborah Sampson. (And…we’re heading into Women’s History Month!) SPECIAL EDUCATOR … More Especially for Educators: “Write to Persuade the USPS—Deborah Sampson Deserves a Stamp!”

Behind the Scenes: “Searching for Just the Right Title” by Gretchen Woelfle

February 10, 2023

Once in a great while a title jumps onto the page. But mostly, titles are tough! Seldom is the title you start with the final one. It evolves with the writing and story. Here’s a post from Gretchen Woelfle about her quest for just the right title and how it became A TAKE-CHARGE GIRL BLAZES … More Behind the Scenes: “Searching for Just the Right Title” by Gretchen Woelfle

Mining for Heart: “Setting as a Window into Character”

November 11, 2022

Writing CLOAKED IN COURAGE: UNCOVERING DEBORAH SAMPSON, PATRIOT SOLDIER was a challenge in many ways, just one being that the misinformation about her made it difficult to find HER, the person in history. Why did she do what she did? and What made her who she was? As always, setting was key. And books of … More Mining for Heart: “Setting as a Window into Character”

Mining for Heart: “Highlighting the Essential in Biographies” by Donna Cangelosi

October 7, 2022

After a short lull in posts, we’re back digging into the “heart” of a story. I’m guessing most all of you are familiar with Mister Rogers and know that he made music a part of his show. Here Donna Cangelosi examines music as her focus in writing a bio on Fred Rogers.  GIVEAWAY! For a … More Mining for Heart: “Highlighting the Essential in Biographies” by Donna Cangelosi

Behind the Scenes: “Illustrating ‘A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth'” by Dow Phumiruk

September 9, 2022

If there ever was a dream team to share a Thai woman’s story with children, it’s Dow Phumiruk and Christina Soontornvat! Here we get to hear from Dow about the thought process of illustrating the story. GIVEAWAY! For a chance to win a copy of A LIFFE OF SERVICE, just leave a comment below! Behind … More Behind the Scenes: “Illustrating ‘A Life of Service: The Story of Senator Tammy Duckworth'” by Dow Phumiruk

Behind the Scenes: “How a Single Photo Can Bring a Book into Focus” by Elisa Boxer

July 15, 2022

I love discovering old photos when I research a subject! They’re such an essential and valuable part of learning about another time and place. But they can also be the inspiration for the dive into the past or a driving push through the writing process. Here, Elisa Boxer shares how one photo sustained her as she wrote. … More Behind the Scenes: “How a Single Photo Can Bring a Book into Focus” by Elisa Boxer

Behind the Scenes: “A Perfect Symphony, Mining for Gold in The Greatest Song of All” by Megan Hoyt

June 17, 2022

I can totally identify with the problem of finding so much goodness in a story that it becomes overwhelming! Megan Hoyt shares how she pulled multiple threads into one in THE GREATEST SONG OF ALL: HOW ISAAC STERN UNITED THE WORLD TO SAVE CARNEGIE HALL (releases 7/5/22). Megan is offering a GIVEAWAY of a picture … More Behind the Scenes: “A Perfect Symphony, Mining for Gold in The Greatest Song of All” by Megan Hoyt