MEETING KAY WINTERS

I first discovered Kay Winters when I attended an SCBWI workshop near Philadelphia - back before the turn of the century.

And then, a few years later, in 2002, I bumped into her at a history writing workshop led by Carolyn Yoder of Calkins Creek Books.


As an aspiring history writer, I was a bit awestruck by Kay who had published an impressive stack of books. (And yes, envious, too.) I haven't seen Kay since then - probably because she's been busy researching and writing books about Abe Lincoln, the Boston Tea Party, Ancient Egypt, and more!


I decided it's time to catch up with her a bit and fortunately she agreed to answer a few questions for me here.  So, join me, please in welcoming the lovely Kay Winters.

It's so great to have you here, Kay. Maybe we could begin by hearing a little about the themes you feel compelled to write and some accomplishments that you're most proud of.


I am drawn to people in history who focus on overcoming obstacles instead of complaining about them. In Abe Lincoln: the Boy Who Loved Books, we have someone who came from a very poor family, a father who did not understand or appreciate him, who went to school for less than a year. And yet he walked out of the wilderness into the White House. Again and again as a private citizen and as President he failed.He ruled this country at a time of the greatest divisions we have ever known. ( Even worse than current politics!) But he persisted. I was so delighted to discover that books made the difference to Abraham Lincoln, and this is a message I am delighted to relay. I was proud to be invited to sign Abe at the National Museum of History in the Smithsonian and to find the title included on a number of state reading lists.


In Colonial Voices: Hear them Speak, I wrote about  the townspeople in Boston at the time of the Boston Tea Party. I described their occupations, their  politics, their struggles, their hopes. This  book won the  Carol Hurst Children's Book Prize for the book which  “best exemplified the highest standards  of  research, analysis and authorship in its portrayal of the New  England Experience.” The local theater  did a  reader’s theater production of the book at the Colonial Harvest  day in Westfield, Massachusetts.  My  husband and I and several others also did a reader's theater  presentation of Colonial Voices at Old South in Boston where the tea party meeting took place.


Ah, nothing like seeing your work embraced and interpreted by the artistic community. Congratulations on both the reader's theater and on the Carol Otis Hurst book prize.  What an honor! Now I'm impressed (and envious) all over again!


I know you get to mingle and compare notes with other history writers.  And you must have a few that you really admire.  Can you tell us who your favorite history authors are?

• My favorite author of historical picture books is Pam Munoz Ryan.  I love When Marian Sang because of the details Pam chose to bring Marian Anderson to life. The book is both poignant and compelling,  irresistible combination. Pam paints a portrait of a young girl who  is incredibly talented and determined to pursue her dream. When she is turned away from the Music School in Philadelphia because of her  race, she finds a teacher. When he is about to refuse her, she  opens her mouth and sings. When the  Daughters of the American Revolution reject a possible  performance at Constitution Hall, after she has  sung to royalty  in Europe, she sings to a mega-crowd at Lincoln  Memorial. I think this is an example of a  picture book that  should be in every classroom from K-8. Unlike  history text books this picture book and  many others, captures  personality, setting, a  time period in history in a way students are not likely to forget.

• For Middle Grade Students and anyone in fact - Chains by Laurie  Halse Anderson is an forgettable historical  novel about a 13  year old slave and her sister and their harrowing journey to freedom during the time of the American Revolution. Only the 13 -year old survives.  This meticulously researched book is based on fictional characters but Anderson used letters, diaries, runaway  ads and military reports to develop her characters.  When I  finished reading Chains, I  thought this book is so  much better than many so called adult historical novels.I hope it  finds a wide audience with both students  and adults.

I love both of those books.  And now what is your favorite method of research?
My favorite method is on site research. When I did Voices of Ancient Egypt I went to Egypt twice, visited tombs and sites of ancient habitats. I sailed in a felucca, rode a  horse around the pyramids and a donkey in the Valley of the  Kings at Luxor.For Colonial Voices we went to Boston a number of times. We  also travelled  to Sturbridge and Williamsburg. I needed to check  out shopkeepers and their wares in these historic villages.   For my new book Voices on the Oregon Trail My husband and I  took that  journey by car, stopping to stand in wagon wheel ruts, visit  Trail Centers and Museums with dioramas, films and  artifacts, and photograph the prairie and the mountains. In  general,  I haunt the library, read diaries, journals,  letters, ads,  use film and on line sites and interview specialists in  the field.


Two trips to Egypt?!  History writers have the most fun, don't you think, Kay? And after you gather all that information, how do you weave fact into fiction?


In Abe Lincoln: the Boy Who Loved Books  all the quotes from him were authentic. None were invented. In Colonial Voices: Hear Them Speak, the characters were invented, so were their quotes, but in that book  almost every line on each page is packed with fact. I searched old books for samples of objects  that were used  at that time and mailed pictures of them to my wonderful illustrator Larry Day. So you see how he included  Whisper Sticks, for the Dame School, Wag on the Walls, for the Clockmaker, an old Tavern sign for the Tavern Keeper.  In this book I included a blacksmith’s slave and a Native American because they are often left out of accounts of the Revolution.


Thank you Kay, for sharing so many wonderful details and for introducing to several other amazing historicals!  And thanks to you, dear reader, for stopping by. 

Please visit Kay's website for more info on her and her numerous books.  But first, I want to mention that she has a new picture book out!

And she's giving away a copy via Talking Story, an E-newsletter co-produced by Carol Baldwin and me. Click on over to the current issue of Talking Story. Then visit the sidebar for instructions on joining the book giveaway contest!



She's Ba-ack!

Remember Becky Levine? She's the Author of The Writing and Critique Group Survival Guide.

Becky will be giving her book away here at The 3 R's on Groundhogs Day! Since this is such a great informative book I don't want you to forget about the contest. So I'm tossing out a few more questions in order for you to hear what Becky is thinking about writing, research and critiquing.


1. Becky, since I read your blog, I know you’re also writing a historical novel. How does writing, self-editing and receiving feedback on a work of history compare to other writing you’ve done?

I haven’t gotten much feedback on my historical YA yet. I have a need on this book to submit it to my group earlier than I usually would, perhaps because I feel a bit intimidated by it. I did just let my group know that I’d be going light on actual historic details in this first draft, so I could focus on the front story, and I told them I’d be happy if they’d point to places, during their critiques, where they saw a need for some of those details. All the help I can get, I’m thinking!

2. Let’s say you’re helping a middle or high school student with research ideas. What advice would you give?

I think I’d point them in two directions—the Internet to get started, to learn the basics. Then I’d send them to their librarian for help hunting down memoirs and diaries to get a real feel for people’s daily lives in that time. I have so many history books on my shelf, and they’re wonderful, but a bit overwhelming. The best book I’ve read so far for my WIP research is I Came a Stranger: The Story of a Hull-House, by Hilda Satt Polacheck. She came to Chicago from Eastern Europe, found Hull-House, and knew Jane Addams personally—and it’s all in her book.

3. I get into schools and also do writing seminars with teachers. So I’m wondering if you have thoughts about how teachers could use this book in the classroom.

I believe that teaching writing, especially beginning writing, in a critique process is a great way to do it. I think, depending on the age of the students, the book could be used as a text (say for community-college classes), or (for younger students) a teacher could pick and choose pieces to show how a group of writers can (respectfully) help each other grow their writing skills and improve their current manuscripts.

4. Do you make school visits or conduct any writing workshops?

I do teach writing workshops, for writing clubs and conferences, and I’d love to visit critique groups or school writing classes as well.

5. Please add anything else you want the world to know.

Over the past year, I’ve heard lots of people talking about their experience with critique groups—good and bad. Everybody I know has a very real horror story of their own, or one they’ve heard about and want to pass on. :) My hope is that this book will help writers get past those stories, past their worries about whether they can share their work, whether they’re “good enough” to critique someone else’s writing. My critique group and critique partners have been the biggest possible gift my writing could have, and I feel like everybody should get their chance to have the same non-horror experience.

Thank you Becky. Your amazing book is a real gift as well.

And to the rest of you - the rules for the book giveaway are in the sidebar. Now go follow them. No kidding!

ONCE UPON A DIME: (This is a book giveaway)

Vintage March of Dimes poster given me by the family of one of my experts, a wonderful physiotherapist who worked with polio patients.

Once upon a time, the March of Dimes fundraising campaign was held for 2 weeks in January. It culminated on Franklin D. Roosevelt's birthday (Jan. 30) with Birthday Balls in cities across the nation.

After all, FDR was the man who inspired this organization. It was called the National Foundation for Infantile Paralysis until Eddie Cantor, a radio comedian, got the idea to ask children across America to send a dime to the President. Cantor called it the March of Dimes.

Within days, the White House mailroom was overwhelmed with dimes (268,000.00 worth)! Official White House mail got lost in the morass of dimes. I don't think the MOD repeated that exact scenario again! But it did collect money in hundreds of creative ways which constitute an amazing heartwarming story.

For decades, the MOD funded polio related needs: hospital care, crtuches, iron lungs, and vaccine research. By 1955 we had a vaccine!

There'd always been people who felt that the MOD money should help with other causes. So, after the vaccine, March of Dimes changed its focus. Since 1958 it has benefitted babies with birth defects. And somewhere along the way, the campaign switched to April.
MOD is a tremendous organization as any family who has had a baby with special medical needs will tell you! But this year in "this economy" fundraising is down.

So, here's where I make good on the book giveaway. My new book, COMFORT, the sequel to BLUE is hot off the press. And I want to give a copy to you. Here's how you can get it.

1. Participate in the March of Dimes (suggested donation - 10.00). (This would be a great time for me to be Neil Gaimen, Cynthia Lord, or Laurie Halse Anderson - think how much money we could raise! )
2. Leave me a comment, telling me that you contributed. (I don't need to know the amount, but feel free to share stories.)
3. Link to this post or copy the contents into your blog. (If you don't blog, send out emails with this blog address.)

Since April is practically over, I'm going to give this contest 2 weeks. On May 9, I'll pull a name out of my comment reservoir and announce a winner. I hope your name is on the list!

How you can contribute to the March of Dimes

a. Join a Walk for Dimes event.
b. Sponsor someone who is particpating in a Walk for Dimes.
c. Drop money into a jar at your local bank.
d. Buy a few of those March of Dimes stuffed animal babies offered at your bank.
e. Click here to donate online.

Sources:

Patenting the Sun: Polio and the Salk Vaccine by Jane S. Smith

Four Billion Dimes by Victor Cohn

Images of America: March of Dimes by David W. Rose

I'm throwing you a life line here. So grab ahold. Take a deep breath. You're not going to die after all!

Just when you thought you were going under. Just when you wondered if it's even possible for anyone to write a novel, memoir, non fiction book, picture book, or anything remotely publishable; Becky Levine pulls out the safety equipment.

Levine, herself is living proof that you don't have to die trying to get published. This very week she and Writer's Digest Books are releasing an amazing writing book with an ambitious title!

THE WRITING & CRITIQUE GROUP SURVIVAL GUIDE: HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK, SELF EDIT, AND MAKE REVISIONS

That's a lot to ask from any book. But somehow Levine manages it. I'm reading her Survival Guide now - although not as closely as I would like to because I happen to be drowning in revisions. Or, I would be drowning, if I didn't have this book to remind me what makes a scene work, or that all my characters need to be multi-dimensional, and of the importance of dialogue in relation to plot.

Here are a few other things I'm discovering as I read:

Organization (Levine has a left-brain that actually works!)

Highly readable writing style

Info about types of critique groups and how to decide which type is right for you

Critique group protocol - apparently you can't just show up and spout off - you actually have responsibilities, both as critiquer and critiquee

Information about various genres and how to critique for each

Sample analyses of writing passages in multiple genres

Worksheets

And, obviously much more! (304 pages)

The Survival Guide doesn't claim to be a writing course but - um, in my opinion, it sort of is one.

In honor of the Survival Guide's release, Becky Levine is offering a book giveaway. To enter, all you have to do is comment on one of my posts with the words - "HELP!" or "I NEED THAT BOOK!" or "MOVE THAT BUS!" (To to be quite honest, any little thing that gets the point across will do.)

You have until Feb. 2nd (Put Ground Hog's Day in the comment, if you like.) I'll put the entries in some sort of container, jostle them around, and pull one up without peeking.

But don't wait until then to check back here, because Ms. Levine herself will be stopping by later in the week to answer a few questions. And with permission from her, over the next few weeks, I might even toss out a delicious crumb or two from the Survival Guide.

MEETING BECKY LEVINE

On Wednesday I threw you a life line. Today I give you

Becky Levine, Author

Whose book is being released today.

THE WRITING AND CRITIQUE GROUP SURVIVAL GUIDE:
How to Give and Receive Feedback, Self- Edit, and Make Revisions.

I'm thrilled Becky dropped by to chat.

Becky, congratulations on your book launch! And thanks for answering a few questions. Forgive me if this first one sounds a little whiney. But, what’s this about self editing and revisions? Do we have to?

Yes, Joyce, we have to. :)

The whole point of getting our writing critiqued is to have help making it better. And, although I’m sure many of us have done this, leaving all that critique feedback in a pile to gather dust is not the best way to handle it! While it can be a challenge to figure out how to weave (or not weave) all those comments into our stories, it’s this kind of revision, I believe, that brings magic to the writing process.

Can you tell us how you got the idea for this book?

I’ve been soap-boxing about critiques groups for over 20 years! I hadn’t really thought about writing it, until I sat on a panel at a writer’s conference with Jane Friedman, from Writer’s Digest Books. People asked if there was a book about critique groups, she said WD didn’t have one, and my brain said, “Hmmm!” I pitched the idea to Jane, and a couple of weeks later sent her a TOC. Lots of luck and a little bit of pushing myself to take a chance.

What has been your biggest challenge in working with a critique group?

Other than keeping myself from interrupting another critiquer when I get excited about an idea? The biggest challenge for me is reminding myself to dig deeply into the story, to push myself to give the best feedback I can to another writer, even when I know that—initially—some of that feedback will be hard for them to hear. I work hard to present my comments as respectfully and gently as I can; everyone in my group does. Within that framework, though, I have to remember that I’m not doing the writer any good by not doing a complete, thorough read.

Got any funny (or tragic) critique group stories to share?

Not to share online! :)

Hmmm. Why do I think I want to hear more about that. Anyway - what sort of critiquer are you?

I think I’m a strong critiquer. I tend to give a pretty detailed critique, with notes all over the manuscript and a page or two of overall feedback. I do think I focus pretty heavily on character motivation, the whys behind behavior and actions. I don’t realize this until I listen to the other comments my critique partners give—where they’re seeing all the plot twists that are/aren’t working, and I hear myself thinking, “Oh,yeah. Right. That, too

In terms of receiving feedback, I think I have a pretty thick skin. It is such a relief to me to know that I’m going to get ideas from “out there,” that I don’t have to solve every plot problem or figure out each character arc in solitude, that I really love getting comments from my group. On the other hand, I could definitely do some work on keeping my mouth closed a little more tightly when I’m being critiqued. I don’t argue (much), but I do find myself jumping in with questions and possibilities, when I should be letting my critique partner finish up their job!

It's clear from your book that you take critiquing very seriously. I have a feeling you're a model participant. And if you weren't before, you'll have to be from now on! : )

Thanks for chatting with me, Becky. I have a few more questions but I'll save them for one day next week. That'll remind readers to participate in your book giveaway.

If you're not Becky and you're reading this blog, do yourself a favor - enter the contest. The instructions are in the sidebar under the book with the auspicious title.

BOOK GIVEAWAY! (Deadline Approaching)

A storm rocks the boat carrying Puritans to America. But young Susannah Hutchinson huddles into the safety of her mother's arms.

The family expects to find freedom of religion in this new land. What they find instead, is a classic religious battle between grace and law. The reader feels the tension early on in the pages of this picture book. It is communicated through Micahel Dooling's muted photo-realistic paintings and Jeannine Atkins skillful use of symbolism.

As everyone gathered, the minister said, "The Lord sends storms to punish the wicked among us."

"This minister speaks too much of storms," Mother said. "In the New World we hope to spend more time giving thanks for the blessings of blue skies. We are not going there to be frightened again."

As the story emerges we discover that Susannah's mother is a strong Christian woman who uses her gifts of midwifery, encouragement, and teaching in the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

But the puritanical community is not ready for a strong, confident woman who experiences God as a loving Being. And so the conflict ensues. Young Susannah loses the safety of her mother's arms.

Read the book to discover what happens. There is much more than can be contained in a 32 page picture book, of course. An Afterword provides additonal info.

Anne Hutchinson's Way is a picture book for all ages. It does just what I love - brings a little known piece of history into the light where contemporary readers can experience its relevance.

And it is relevant!

It seems I have a vague recollection of Anne Hutchinson from my elementary history classes. But mostly, I've forgotten about her. Thankfully, Jeannine Atkins brought this strong confident role model to my attention.

On April 14 (That's Wednesday) Jeannine is giving away a copy of Anne Hutchinson's Way as well as her latest book - Borrowed Names.  Leave a comment here if you'd like to enter the contest! Only 3 more days to enter!

WITH ALOHA: Healing Water Book Giveaway

Joan Edwards of NEVER GIVE UP interviewed me in her Authors I Admire series. Yay! To celebrate, I'm giving away a copy of Healing Water at her blog.  Healing Water is my historical novel set in Hawaii's leprosy settlement.  

Here's a look at the book via a short trailer.

Yes, it starts out sad.  Yes, it's tragic in the middle.

But, YES, there is hope and community and God's footprint throughout.  So go on over to Joan's blog and join the giveaway.

Oh, wait - before you go - I've decided to double your chances of winning by offering one here too.  Enter by including the word ALOHA in your comment below.

I apologize in advance that this giveaway doesn't include a trip to Hawaii. But reading is one way to get there...

Belated Book Giveaway!

Oh, boy, I have been all kinds of delinquent.   A few days ago I promised to post wisteria pics on the next day.  I still have not completed the post.

And few weeks ago I promised to give away 2 books by Jeannine Atkins on April 14.  I believe today is the 15th! I could blame it on taxes or yard work or busy busy life.

All of which is kind of true.  But mostly the book giveway date just escaped me.  So I'm doing it now. Here's how it worked.  I entered everyone in both contests.  So you have two chances to win a book.  My hubby is picking 2 numbers.  First number gets Anne Hutchinson's Way.  2nd one gets Borrowed Names.

Ready. Set. Go hubby!

The numbers are:

12 for Anne Hutchinson's Way.  And the winner is Tracy Abell who livejournals as tracyworld
 4 for Borrowed Names.  And the winner is Lorraine who livejournals as lorrainemt. 

Way to go LiveJournal friends.  (BTW, I did enter the rest of you.)

Tracy and Lorraine, email your mailing addresses to me at moyergirl at charter dot net and I'll send them out early next week.

Thanks to everyone for entering.  And good luck next time!  There's still a DVD giveaway coming up.  I better check on that date - oh it's April 21.  That's next Wednesday.  Papa said, "We should never forget." is a short reenactment of D-Day from the perspective of a 13 year old French village girl.  Great for homeschool, library, or classroom.

Papa said, "We should never forget." from David Druckenmiller on Vimeo.

BOOK AND DVD GIVEAWAY - 4 Chances For You To Win

I'm about to introduce you to a few good books that you'll want to win for your school, library, or your   bookshelf at home..

For starters:

A book of poems about 3 famous mother daughter duos.  (Starred reviews by School Library Journal and Booklist!)

Jeannine Atkins just published BORROWED NAMES.  She sent me a copy but I don't get to keep it.  I'm she's giving it away here.  You or your school could be the winner.  But you have to beg for it in order to get you name in the hat. Do so by sending me an email or commenting on any of my blogposts. Just tell me you want the book.

Jeannine also sent me Anne Hutchinson's Way which I blogged about here.  I vaguely rememer learning about Anne Hutchinson back in elementary school during a unit on the Puritans but I had forgotten.  So I loved this book. It's a picture book for elementary students. You have to beg for that too.

I will be interviewing Jeannine here soon - like next week.  So come back and meet her!

And have you noticed the copy of Captain Mac in the sidebar? Top right hand corner.Yep, there it is. I interviewed Author, Mary Morton Cowan  here.  I'm Mary Morton Cowan is giving that away.  This is non-fiction, about an Arctic explorer.  A fabulous addition to any school, homeschool, or library!. Ask for it. I'll enter you in the contest. The deadline is April 1.

And one more thing - A DVD.  This is a short reenactment of a historical event - think D-Day from the perspective of a French girl who suddenly finds her yard swarming with Allied soldiers.  It's a short movie produced for a museum.  I'm Professor Eric Groce is giving it away.  (His research and writing led to this movie.)

Papa said, "We should never forget." from Inertia Films on Vimeo.

Times are tight.  Budgets are being cut. But you can get a book for free. Here's how I know.  I entered a contest for Riding Invisible by Sandra Akonzo.  I won.  It arrived yesterday.  And a little over a year ago, I won Tracking Daddy Down by Mary Beth Kelsey.  That's two books in less than two years.  Not bad for someone who doesn't actually enter that many contests!

Someone's got to win - it might as well be you. Leave a comment.  (A separate one for each book.)

Deadlines are as follows - I'll announce the winners on these dates.
Captain Mac - April 1
Borrowed Names - April 14
Anne Hutchinson's Way - April 14
DVD - Papa said, "We should never forget."  April 21

CELEBRATING BECKY LEVINE: IT'S A GIVEAWAY

Shhhhhh! - this is a sneak attack.  The victim is Becky Levine.

I stole this image from Becky's FB page.  I did not ask permission to post it here so I hope she loves this pic as much as I do.  I want her hair!

Becky knows I have a copy of her fabulous writing manual to give away. After all, I won it at her blog.  I won two in a fact. But I'm keeping one.

The other is for giveaway.  She knows that too.  But she doesn't know (yet) that I'm giving it via this post AND at Writermorphosis.  That's Janelle Bitikofer's blog and over there I'm celebrating the gift that Becky has been to me.

You see, Janelle has this "Each One, Teach One" series in which she focuses on writers reaching out to other writers. (Terrific idea, Janelle!)

This week, Janelle interviewed me.  So when asked to reflect on a writer who reached out to me - well, I knew it had to be Becky Levine.  Becky came into my world quite awhile after I began writing.  Click over to Janelle's blog to find out how we connected.

As a result of that connection I've gotten some truly helpful insights that have shaped and reshaped my novel. I was a little gob-smacked this week when I read back over my email correspondence with Becky - astonished to see how much time and energy she gave me and how utterly smart she is.  Subscribe to her blog for awhile and you'll get what I mean. 

But now, back to Becky's book.   The title is quite auspicious don't you think?

THE WRITING AND CRITIQUE GROUP SURVIVAL GUIDE: HOW TO GIVE AND RECEIVE FEEDBACK, SELF-EDIT, AND MAKE REVISIONS

I kind of hate typing it because it's sooooooo long and yet it all deserves to be there. I LOVE this book because it covers so much territory that is pertinent to writing.  Becky opens with the logistics of participating in a critique group and moves from there into the particulars of critiquing.  And does she ever get into it! This book covers critiquing for various genres and for the various elements of story - plot, character, point-of-view, dialogue and more.  Not to mention critiquing for submission and sharing info about marketing.

So, see - this really is a SURVIVAL GUIDE! And whether you're floundering or whether you're not (and who isn't at some point or the other?) you might want to holler

"HELP! I NEED THE SURVIVAL GUIDE!"

Do that now.  Write "Help! I need the Survival Guide" in the comments for a chance to win a signed copy of Becky's book.  Do it again over at Janelle Bitikofer's blog and you'll have double the chances of winning. Not to mention, you'll get to meet the lovely Janelle (I want her hair too!) and all the tremendous authors she's interviewed over there. 

Contest ends next Wednesday night, June 6th.  Janelle and I will both announce the winner at our blogs on Thursday, the 7th!

Thank you Becky Levine AND Janelle Bitikofer for reaching out to me!

NEW WEBSITE CELEBRATION BOOK GIVEAWAY

So my hubby pulled the names from the proverbial hat and voila! The winners of my new website free book contest are:

1. Set of my 4 books goes to Tina Davis (my facebook friend and all around wonder woman)

2. Nathan Clement's Picture book, Drive & my Healing Water go to Amy Butler Greenfield, author of A Perfect Red.

Congratulations Tina and Amy! And thanks to all for helping me and Nathan celebrate my new website design!

Find more of Nathan's Designs at Stickman Studio.

BOOK GIVEAWAY: And the winners are...

Lesson learned. If I want to give away a book, the best method for doing so, is not by asking folks to give to a charity. (At least not during hard times.) Back on April 25, I suggested my readers make a contribution to the March of Dimes and let me know so I could enter them into a contest for a copy of Comfort.

I got no takers.

To be fair, Augusta Scattergood, commented that she always supports the March of Dimes but she'd be reading my book anyway so I should give it to someone else.

And over at LiveJournal? No entries there, either. However, even before I'd posted the contest, Kelly R. Fineman had told me that she too, always gives to the March of Dimes. (She also decided to make a 2nd contribution since MOD is having trouble raising funds this year.)

And so I'm giving my books to these March of Dimes loyalists!

Augusta, I'll send a copy to you or to the school or library of your choice. Just let me know. (My email addy is in the sidebar.)

And Kelly, Comfort is coming your way just as soon as you contact me.

Thanks to both of you for supporting a worthy cause. Especially one with such a great history.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!

Happy Day! AIM is officially released today and, in addition, it's my mom's birthday. 

She's no longer here to celebrate so I think I'll share some of the wisdom she handed down to me over the years.


There were 8 children in our family and we did our share of competing for rights, privileges, and second helpings. Of course we often declared that one thing or another was not fair.  Mom was usually quick to respond with "Life is not fair." To be honest with you, I could see that by observing life itself, by comparing myself to others, and by reading about the sorrows of the world. At some level I think that is what all my stories are about - grappling with questions about life's inequities.

Mom dealt with her share of bickering and she did her best to defuse our petty quarrels. "Sticks and stones may break my bones," she'd say. "But words can never hurt me."  I learned from her that there is very little that is worth fighting over - or at least losing relationships over. I really do hate conflict - especially war and that seems to creep into all my stories.

Another Mom quote that I can't shake is, "Be the matter - great or small. Do it well or not at all."  This was the sort of thing she'd say when she wanted me to sweep the porch well or scrub the bathroom spic and span. But I believe those words have seeped over into whatever I do. I really don't want to settle for mediocre anything - whether it's weeding the flower beds, or speaking in public, or writing books. 

So, on my Mom's birthday (and AIM's) I'm having a contest.  Not a mediocre one with a single book giveaway.  This contest will have 10 different winners, each claiming one copy of AIM.  So please spread the word.  To enter, share this blog link on social media or by email. Be sure to mention the giveaway!

Just let me know where and how you shared it and I will enter you once for sharing. Oh - and for another chance, click on the "Follow Me by Email" link below my profile pic on the right of this blog. Let me know that you did so and I'll enter you, again! 

Thanks for your help. "Be the matter great or small, do it well or not at all!"

Another History Writer! MARY MORTON COWAN

Mary Morton Cowan likes writing about historical topics that today's children don't know about, particularly about New England or New Englanders. For example, in Timberrr...A History of Logging in New England, she focused on a unique, bygone era that today's children can never experience.

Published by Millbrook Press (2003)

Edited by Jean Reynolds

And 75 years ago Donald MacMillan was famous. But today hardly anyone has heard of him. Yet he spent nearly half a century exploring the Arctic and Subarctic! Mary felt that a book about him was definitely overdue! Now here it is!

Published by Calkins Creek Books (2010)

Edited by Carolyn Yoder

To celebrate the release of Captain Mac, I'm chatting with Mary today! BTW she's giving away a copy - see the sidebar - (top right). Or just leave a comment here saying you want it.

1. Mary, thanks for stopping by. I've got a copy of Timberrrr in my hands and well, it's obvious that you love research. Super impressive! What was it like researching this brand new book?

To me, there was something magical about peeking into Donald MacMillan's personal journals and letters and uncovering his own details of his life and explorations. Poring through more than a thousand of his extraordinary Arctic photographs made me almost feel I was with him. Talking with folks who knew Mac was also a thrill, and a great way to learn what people thought of him. And his schooner. For a Mainer, sailing is a rather common experience, but not on Mac's Arctic schooner, Bowdoin! His spirit is alive on that boat! I have been privileged to enjoy a few sails--real live research!

2. Which just goes to show that research is an adventure in itself. Got a Captain Mac research story to share? Some obscure detail you tracked down or some accomplishment you’re particularly proud of?

It's a bit daunting to write about another person's life. I'm particularly proud of the comprehensive research I was able to do. I examined everything I could find—and there was a lot! I had to dispel one myth.

Some years ago, a story circulated that MacMillan sailed to the Arctic 26 times on his schooner. After reading ship's logs, journals, and diaries from every expedition, I verified that MacMillan did, in fact, go North at least that many times, but not all on his schooner, as commonly believed. MacMillan collected reams of scientific data in the North and was careful to report it accurately. I knew he would not want a biography of him to be exaggerated in any way.

Yet I also found that Mac was a daredevil. I'm proud that I was able to write an accurate, yet exciting, account of his life and events. And, for the record, my footnoted version of the 35,000-word manuscript shows 1603 footnotes, some listing multiple sources!

Whew! Now I feel like a wimp. None of my books ever had that many footnotes. You must have made, Editor Carolyn Yoder proud! And maybe even tired! : )

3. You write about adventure in cold places. What is the most adventurous thing you’ve done? And what’s the coldest temperature you’ve experienced?

One big adventure was writing about MacMillan! I've never been to the Arctic, but I would love to go! I enjoy winter: I've done some winter camping, spent many hours on ski slopes, and once I hiked inside an awesome ice cave at the base of a glacier on Mt. Rainier. I've probably not been outdoors in much colder than 10 degrees below zero (Farenheit). But sometimes even zero can feel colder than that if the wind is blowing! And the wind blows in Maine!

One of the most adventurous things I did as a young teen was not in the cold, but to travel by train all by myself from Portland, Maine to Cody, Wyoming, to spend a month at a scout ranch.

Mary Morton Cowan at her angelic best!

4. Sounds like a blast! And it's obvious you're still having a great time. But tell us, if you could live in any other place or time period what would it be?

I'm fascinated by earlier decades, but I'm pretty happy living the way we do now. I would want to continue living in a northern climate. Nature's changing seasons are wonderful -- each splendid, and never boring!

5. And one last word or two?

I always learn a lot when I write. I am pleased and proud that these books give young readers a glimpse of relatively unknown history --dangerous and adventurous chapters of history!

Mary, you're a true adventurer! Thanks for sharing your research process and your enthusiasm with us. I'll be checking back with you on April 1 so that you can choose a winner in your book giveaway!

And you, dear reader - leave a comment telling us you want a copy of Captain Mac. You just might get one.

I guess the book giveaway turned out to be a bit of an April Fool's joke after all. I intended to post a winner at 4:00ish and instead I was in the yard pulling weeds and helping my hubby open our water garden!

I simply forgot! So my apologies if you've been looking and have decided that I cannot be trusted.

At any, Author Mary Morton Cowan has picked a number. Look how happy she is!

Mary lives in Maine. I think that explains the warm coat!

Mary picked # 8!

Which, as it turns out, is Donna Earnhardt!

I suggested begging for the prize and boy, did Donna comply! She submitted the following poem. Don't you think she totally deserves to win?

I'm begging here.

I'm on my knees.

(And boy, My floor needs cleaning!)


I'd love a prize,
any shape or size.
(Is this post too demeaning?)


The DVD
is fine with me.
The books would be fantastic.

I'd love them all,
but it's YOUR call
(either way, I'm enthusiastic!)

How was that for begging? :)

Mighty fine, Donna!  Mighty fine!  Congratulations!  You're still entered for the DVD and other books so who knows?

Donna, email your address to me at moyergirl at charter dot net and I will pass it on to Mary who will send you the book!

AND THE WINNER IS...

Rosi Hollinbeck won SEEING RED by 

Kathy Erskine! 

 
I met Rosi a few years ago at a Highlights writer's retreat with Editor, Carolyn Yoder. At the time she was writing a fascinating story about Queen Elizabeth which eventually published in March 2013 issue of Highlights Magazine (cover feature even!) 

During our brief meeting I learned she can do an awesome Carolyn Yoder editorial voice! (Carolyn groupies will appreciate this.)

Since then, I observed her work at THE WRITE STUFF blog on which she consistently offers great book reviews and giveaways. Which leads me to wonder when she has time to write her own historical fiction, poetry, and picture book projects.  If you follow her link you'll see that she has 2 reviews and a giveaway over there right now. 

And not only that, she plans to read and review SEEING RED and then give it away. So if you're a little bit jealous of Rosi for winning, you've got yet another chance.

Rosi's blog is for following, folks! Go sign up.  Thanks to you, Rosi,for joining this giveaway and for being such a generous member of the writing community.

JUST A DROP OF WATER

One month from today marks the fifteenth anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

Very soon after the attacks, Kerry O'Malley Cerra  discovered that Mohammed Atta, one of the 9/11 hijackers, lived just around the corner from her.

In her words. "Within a day or two of the attacks, my alternating moods of anger, sadness, and pride suddenly had a new emotion to deal with. Fear."

As Kerry struggled with unexpected emotions and the changing landscape of American relationships, a story began to emerge.  JUST A DROP OF WATER echoes her own emotional experience as two boys, one Muslim and one Christian struggle to keep their friendship in the face of the 9/11 attacks.

Jake, a highly competitive cross-country runner has the usual  rivalries with  team mates and competitors. And those rivalries have him making plans for winning in a less than sportsmanlike manner. But his plans are hijacked when terrorists take over multiple airplanes and crash them into the World Trade Center and the Pentagon building. 

Yet another plane is brought down by heroic passengers on a plane flying over western Pennsylvania. All airline flights are suspended. It is as if the entire world comes to a standstill.

Jake's meet is cancelled and Jake's world changes as his best friend, Sam, who is Muslim, comes under suspicion.  Fiercely loyal, Jake attempts to maintain their friendship but it feels as if he is the only one fighting to maintain trust and normalcy.

JUST A DROP OF WATER echoes the feelings of many Americans in the wake of 9/11 and it does so via the authentic voice of a boy with a big heart and sometimes misguided intentions. The sports theme lends itself to bigger questions of playing fair, fighting dirty, and making peace.   

Teachers and librarians, if you're looking for an engaging novel to help your students grasp the enormity of 9/11 and how it is shaping our worldview, reach for this book. Here's a quick preview.
 

Kerry's background in Social Studies makes her an ideal person to speak to your students about her book and her passion for peacemaking. She loves engaging with students and will turn them on to reading, not only her book, but many other examples that she'll bring with her.

JUST A DROP OF WATER will be included in the #MGGetsReal giveaway (open to educators) that will be kicked off on August 16 at the NCTE blog.  Please do enter for a set of five books on tough topics.

COWBOYS by David L. Harrison

I have this magnificent picture book in front of me. Something every kid or teacher would want to own.  And not only that, it's a giveaway.  I'll tell you in a moment how you can enter. 

But first, a glimpse of the book!

This is one gorgeous piece of work - the perfect pairing of poet (David L. Harrison) and illustrator (Dan Burr)  Together these gentlemen paint history so real and heartfelt that the reader wants to go back there.  Back to a time before railroads turned cattle drives into history.

Read this soulful determined poem.  Then I'll link you to the equally beautiful illustration.

SETTING OUT

All my life,
do what Master say.
He say, "Mind my cows,"
I mind his cows.

Cows, me,
my children,
wife-
all his.

No more.
Nobody owns me now.
Signed my X,
agreed to drive this rancher's cows
from Texas up to Abilene-

for pay.
My pay.

I'm on a journey of my own
figuring how it feels
to be free.

Now, take a look at this proud, hopeful cowboy, ready to set out on his new life of freedom.

There's a whole lot of cowboy life in the pages of this book. Each page-spread is one poem with a vivid illustration that shares the viewpoint of a different cowboy or one aspect of life on the range.

 Just leave a comment here. But over at Talking Story we have several giveaways so if you don't win COWBOYS you just might win a consolation prize!

You may have noticed that the theme of this issue of TALKING STORY is Poetry. and also that Highlights Foundation is offering several poetry workshops in 2013.  David Harrison will lead POETRY FOR THE DELIGHT OF IT, September 30 - October 3.  

I could be tempted... 

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A WRITER

I should be doing so many things.
1.  Posting a Tuesday Teaser With a Twist (passage from a great historical)
2.  Blogging about FDR or Poland or something pertinent to my work-in-progress
3. Spending time with my granddaughter
4. Cleaning and laundry
5. Organizing my records so filing for taxes is easier next year!
6. Posting wisteria pics
7. Yard work.
8.  Cleaning for my mom
9. Post Office and bank trip
10.Reminding you of the book giveaway in the sidebar.
11. Revising my work in progress

Tomorrow I'll post wisteria pics. Right now, I'm writing!