Courage to Create

Author Natalia Sylvester joins Bethany at The Writing Barn for this interview in which they discuss Natalia's first novel, CHASING THE SUN, as well as her recently published second novel, EVERYONE KNOWS YOU GO HOME. Born in Lima, Peru, Natalia came to the U.S. at age four and has lived in Florida and Texas. She received a B.A. in Creative Writing from the University of Miami. A former magazine editor, Natalia now works as a freelance writer in Texas and is a faculty member of the low-res MFA program at Regis University. During their conversation, Natalia and Bethany talk about the revision process, and Natalia mentions some methods she uses to revise. She and Bethany also discuss the question of whether talent can be taught or not and whether they think talent is more important vs. the desire to write and the commitment to it. They also delve into the complexities of the shift between public life as a published author and private life as a writer. Natalia then details some of her experiences as a Latina writer and how she and her work are perceived. To find out more about Natalia and her novels, go to https://www.nataliasylvester.com/

This episode of the Porchlight features Deborah Hopkinson, author of more than 50 books for young readers, including picture books, middle grade fiction and nonfiction. Her she discusses her newest book, Ordinary, Extraordinary Jane Austen, a picture book biography of a now famous author - who was neither rich nor famous during her lifetime. She talks about the writer's role as an observer of everyday life and how the events of childhood contribute to who we become as adults, as well as the importance of revision and growing as a writer. And how even after 50 books, she still goes through many, many drafts and has several books rejected each year. Deborah Hopkinson website: https://deborahhopkinson.com/ Publishers link to book: https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062373304/ordinary-extraordinary-jane-austen Melissa Sweet's nonfiction categories posts: https://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2017/12/behind-books-nonfiction-family-tree.html & http://celebratescience.blogspot.com/2018/01/the-nonfiction-family-tree-book-lists.html (mentioned in the discussion)

In this episode, Bethany talks to picture book author Lisl Detlefsen.

Lisl is the author of TIME FOR CRANBERRIES and IF YOU HAD A JET PACK as well as the forthcoming 3, 2, 1 JUMP!, a humorous book about swimming lessons. Lisl lives on a family-owned cranberry marsh near Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, with her husband and two sons.

She grew up with a mother who was a librarian and created a customized class in children's literature for Lisl to study while she was majoring in art in college. During their conversation, Lisl and Bethany discuss being both picture book writers and novelists. They also talk about how craft study is a lifelong pursuit and that living a creative life is a choice people must make every day. They hash over the feeling of imposter syndrome and how it often sticks with writers, published or not. You can find Lisl online at https://www.lislhdbooks.com.

This summer, Lisl will also be teaching Perfecting the Picture Book I online at The Writing Barn for six weeks beginning June 11th. Go to http://www.thewritingbarn.com for more information and to register.

This inspiring episode of The Porchlight features middle grade author Nanci Turner Steveson, author of SWING SIDEWAYS and GEORGIA RULES as well as a forthcoming novel in 2019. Nanci grew up in a large family of six kids, and after raising her two sons in Maryland, she now lives in a historic meadow cabin in the shadow of the Teton mountains in Wyoming. Nanci says she was the kid who walked around with her head in the clouds, a book in one hand, and the reins of a pony in the other. Reading BLACK BEAUTY at age nine inspired Nancy to be a writer. During their conversation, Bethany and Nanci discuss everything from why debut books are so special to how Nancy learned the craft of writing through workshops, conferences, critiques, and being Bethany's mentee. They talk about the power of bringing setting to life as its own character and how setting can offer both readers and characters new places that allow them to figure out where they fit in the world. Nanci comments on the complex relationships between mothers and daughters in her work and how writing, especially during challenging times in her life, has been both cathartic and sanity-saving for her. And keep listening to learn about the joy and healing power of trees and the influences of good juju on creativity!

Daria Peoples-Riley's first job was at nine years old in the children's section of her hometown library. Much later, she became a teacher, and now she is a full-time author and illustrator. THIS IS IT is her first picture book inspired by her daughter, her rich cultural background, and their first visit to New York City. She lives with her family in Las Vegas, Nevada. In this Porchlight conversation, Bethany and Daria discuss Daria's inspired path to becoming an author/illustrator and how both her childhood and her own daughter were stepping stones along the way. They talk about the unique challenge of being both an author and an illustrator and Daria's desire to reach children who rarely, if ever, see themselves in books. Daria discusses her experiences with the We Need Diverse Books campaign and the impact it's had on both her personal and professional life as a woman of color who can "check lots of boxes" when she's asked about her heritage. Daria also explains how she came to realize her stories are worthy and important and how she hopes they will help children navigate through the rough places in their lives. For more information on We Need Diverse Books, go to https://diversebooks.org/ and #weneeddiversebooks You can find out more about Daria at www.dariapeoples.com/pre-order-this-is-it

Lina Maslo is the debut author and illustrator of FREE AS A BIRD: THE STORY OF MALALA and the forthcoming picture book biography of C.S. Lewis, THE DOOR TO NARNIA, which will be published in 2019. Lina was born in Ukraine and came to the USA at age five. She has an art degree from New College of Florida and now lives in South Carolina with her husband and four children. In this Porchlight episode, Bethany Hegedus and Lina Maslo discuss Lina's path to publication and how her life changed once she found an agent to represent FREE AS A BIRD: THE STORY OF MALALA. Lina was first drawn to Malala's story after reading her autobiography and realizing that Malala's relationship with her parents, and in particular her father, hadn't yet been covered in other works. Through her take on Malala's courageous story, Lina hopes readers will learn about the power of words and how they can be used to make a difference as well as learn about the power and privilege of receiving an education no matter where in the world you live. Lina and Bethany also chat about the need for authors writing biographies to find a personal connection with their subjects as well as discussing the encouragement a skilled, enthusiastic editor can give authors and illustrators. Finally, they talk about the many challenges of being both a working parent and a creative artist.

This episode features Linda Williams Jackson, the debut author of Midnight Without a Moon and its recently released sequel, A Sky Full of Stars. Our Porchlight conversation with Linda explores her writing journey to share the story of the 1955 murder of Emmett Till, a 14-year-old boy who was killed, allegedly for whistling at a white woman in Mississippi. Linda talks about how changing the opening line of her query letter took her from a string of rejections to multiple offers from agents and editors. Linda and Bethany also have an honest and powerful conversation about the current state of race relations in America.

This episode features founder of 12 x 12 Picture Book Writing Challenge, Julie Hedlund. Julie is an award-winning children's book author and a regular speaker at SCBWI and other industry events. Her latest book, MY LOVE FOR YOU IS THE SUN (Little Bahalia Publishing, 2014) has been hailed as belonging on the shelf "between Guess How Much I Love You and Goodnight Moon." Her book A TROOP IS A GROUP OF MONKEYS (Little Bahalia, 2013) was also published as an interactive storybook app and received the 2014 Independent Book Publisher's Association Benjamin Franklin Digital Gold Award. When she is not acting like a monkey while spending time with her two children, Julie is busy writing more books and visiting with the kids who read them at schools, bookstores and libraries.

We discuss the ins and outs of 12 x 12, which is now going on it's 7th year. Julie originally wanted members to, "Get those ideas down on paper so you have something to work with," but over the years, 12 x 12, "Grew into more than a challenge. It became a community and now a family." We even hear a bit of Julie's personal journey. Did Julie choose the literary life? Or did it choose her?

12 x 12 Challenge

In this Writing Barn Words and Wine event, Program Manager Claire Campbell talks with author Cory Putman Oakes about her latest book, Witchtown (Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Books For Young Readers) takes place in the wake of the Second Inquisition, in which modern day witches live in witch-only communities called Havens. Cory discusses her process of research for the book including watching Bewitched, studying herbs, and Wiccan theology.

Kirkus Reviews said, "This uncomplicated, romantic story will charm reluctant readers who want a little magic." and Booklist said, "This genre-blender - think Ocean's 11 meets Charmed – is an enjoyable coming-of-age tale sure to be a hit with readers who like their romance or mystery with a hint of the paranormal."

Cory's Website

Episode 18 features Newbery winner Katherine Applegate, author of The One and Only Ivan, Crenshaw and most recently, Wishtree. Our Porchlight conversation with Katherine Applegate explores developing a unique point of view character, along with the optimism of middle grade readers. Katherine also reflects on the writing process and her journey - including the time she considered giving up on the Ivan manuscript and the dynamics of the author/agent relationship. Includes announcement of Katherine's Write, Submit, Support scholarship in honor of poet Mary Carolyn Davies, who wrote the epigraph that opens Wishtree. Wishtree book trailer Wishtree website