Greetings all!
Enclosed here is the second of our blog posts from the judges. Marcy Collier - A judge who took part in our debut contest, last year. A professional critic for the Western Pennsylvania branch of the Society of Children’s Books Writers and Illustrators as well as being the editor of the Golden Penn newsletter (a blog she regularly contributes to can be found here and her twitter is here).
Applied 21st Century Research Creative Nonfiction - What?
by Marcy Collier
“The prompt for the DFTBA Short Story Contest for 2013 is to write a story about something that was proposed, researched, discovered, developed or invented in the last 13 years. Many of the contest applicants have found the prompt confusing. If you haven’t read a lot or any nonfiction lately, the theme is no doubt daunting. But let me ease your fears and give you a few suggestions.
Having a background in journalism, I find straight nonfiction easier to write and have sold these types of stories to magazines for the children’s market. My current work-in-progress is based off of a lady from a community near where I was raised who accomplished some pretty amazing things in the 1930s.
The possibilities for story topics are endless. Personally, I think the key is finding a subject that holds your interest. Many people don’t read nonfiction books because they associate factual books as boring stories. They think of those awful books their elementary school teachers made them read. But a great nonfiction book is far from boring. It can bring a story and real events to life.
When you read the newspaper today or watch the news, think, really think about the stories you’re hearing. I’ll bet you wouldn’t have been able to make up some of the things you hear.
Now, think about a subject that interests you. Use your favorite search engine to do a little research. What books come up on that particular subject? Go to your local library or bookstore or download a sample of a story that sparks your interest. Delve into many more subjects until you find that particular one which excites you. The best writing stems from a topic that you as the writer will get fired up about because your passion for the subject will show through to your readers.
Here are a few books that have moved me to read more on certain subjects. I write for children, so my picks are from the children’s market.
We Are the Ship by Kadir Nelson
(Book blurb as noted on amazon)
The story of Negro League baseball is the story of gifted athletes and determined owners; of racial discrimination and international sportsmanship; of fortunes won and lost; of triumphs and defeats on and off the field. It is a perfect mirror for the social and political history of black America in the first half of the twentieth century. But most of all, the story of the Negro Leagues is about hundreds of unsung heroes who overcame segregation, hatred, terrible conditions, and low pay to do the one thing they loved more than anything else in the world: play ball. Using an “Everyman” player as his narrator, Kadir Nelson tells the story of Negro League baseball from its beginnings in the 1920s through its decline after Jackie Robinson crossed over to the majors in 1947. The voice is so authentic, you will feel as if you are sitting on dusty bleachers listening intently to the memories of a man who has known the great ballplayers of that time and shared their experiences. But what makes this book so outstanding are the dozens of full-page and double-page oil paintings - breathtaking in their perspectives, rich in emotion, and created with understanding and affection for these lost heroes of our national game. We Are the Ship is a tour de force for baseball lovers of all ages. Winner of the Coretta Scott King Book Award 2009 – author award and illustrator honor; Winner of the Sibert Medal Home Page Award 2009.
You can find the link here
This book is absolutely amazing. As a kid, I grew up near where the Homestead Grays played baseball. Today, I look out the window of my office and can see the Homestead Grays bridge. Local history is fascinating to me. This book is beautifully written and illustrated depicting the heroes of the negro baseball leagues. I’ve read many books about the Homestead Grays and the story of their struggles of overcoming adversity to do what they loved most – play baseball. You could take any character from this book (players, managers or fans) and start asking yourself questions. Draw up a character sketch and a story outline. Relate their accomplishments to current ball players and the struggles they face. Think of the stories you could come up with!
Strong female protagonists fascinate me. When I take a step back and see how much women have done to progress equal rights over the last 100 years, their stories inspire me. This next book kept me up at night reading.
Amelia Lost: The Life and Disappearance of Amelia Earhart by Candace Fleming
(Book blurb as noted on amazon)
From the acclaimed author of The Great and Only Barnum—as well as The Lincolns, Our Eleanor, and Ben Franklin’s Almanac—comes the thrilling story of America’s most celebrated flyer, Amelia Earhart.
In alternating chapters, Fleming deftly moves readers back and forth between Amelia’s life (from childhood up until her last flight) and the exhaustive search for her and her missing plane. With incredible photos, maps, and handwritten notes from Amelia herself—plus informative sidebars tackling everything from the history of flight to what Amelia liked to eat while flying (tomato soup)—this unique nonfiction title is tailor-made for middle graders.
Amelia Lost received four starred reviews and Best Book of the Year accolades from School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews, Horn Book Magazine, the Washington Post, and the New York Times.
You can find the link here
I’ve read many stories on female fliers. This narrative is both compelling and interesting with a lot of heart and soul. The accomplishments made by young fliers like Amelia Earhart and many women you’ve never read about are unbelievable. Most of these women died young. The breakthroughs they made for women in aviation in a boys’ only club were compelling and admirable. Consider taking a young aviatrix and placing her into a steampunk story or futuristic encounter. Let your imagination fly away!
The third book on my list is Blizzard!: The Storm That Changed America by Jim Murphy.
(Book blurb as noted on amazon)
With his powerful and intriguing narrative style, Newbery Honor Book author Jim Murphy tells the harrowing story of the Blizzard of 1888. Available for the first time in paperback.
Snow began falling over New York City on March 12, 1888. All around town, people struggled along slippery streets and sidewalks — some seeking the warmth of their homes, some to get to work or to care for the less fortunate, and some to experience what they assumed would be the last little snowfall of one of the warmest winters on record. What no one realized was that in a very few hours, the wind and snow would bury the city in nearly 21 inches of snow and bring it to a ferocious standstill.
You can find the link here
I was fortunate enough to sit in on a five-on-five session last year with Jim Murphy at the Rutgers One-On-One Plus conference. He is as brilliant as he is nice. His books are fast-paced and the stories and characters he brings to life are both compelling and intriguing. I read this particular story during a snowstorm, which made it even more frightening. The what if scenarios are endless. Think of all the weather disasters we’ve had recently. You could take any number of these scenarios and write about what happened during or after the storm.
I hope that I’ve given you some things to consider when choosing your subject for the contest. Don’t allow the theme to scare you. Use it to launch real-life characters or events into an exciting story that only you could write. Let your mind carry you off into new and fascinating worlds. I can’t wait to read what you’ve written!”
