Candace Fleming's Blog, page 2

More On Audience….

Years ago, I reluctantly planted a vegetable garden. I wasn’t especially compelled to dig around in the dirt, but my then-first grader desperately wanted to grow veggies. So I did what all good mothers do, I initiated a bonding, life-enriching experience with my child. Of course, I got stuck doing it all by myself once the kid lost interest (which was about two hours into the project).

So there I am planting lettuce, green beans, pumpkins, onions. And strangely, I began feeling proud about th...

Know Your Audience

So often, I hear writers say, “I only write for myself.”

I hear myself so often say, “I only write for myself.”

And that’s true—but only partly.

Yes, I only write about the things that interest or delight me, that make me curious or angry, or in some way touch me.

But that delight, concern, curiosity must be translated for my reader.

What I chose to tell, and how I chose to tell it, always begins with the reader. I don’t write a word until I understand who it is I’m writing for.

For instance,...

Inspiration, Imagination, and Mrs. Ullrich

As a writer of picture books, this is the question I am most frequently asked: “Where do you get your ideas?”

I used to flippantly reply, “Where do you get yours?”

But lately I’ve reconsidered my answer. I no longer believe people are asking the obvious. No, I think they are inquiring about something much bigger. I think they are asking about the mysterious process of creation; that elusive mix of inspiration, imagination, frustration, perspiration, consternation, and revision… revision… revi...

My Favorite Writing Materials….

I’ll tell you a secret—all my stories (even the long nonfiction ones) start with wide-lined, loose-leaf notebook paper and a blue Bic pen. These are my favorite writing utensils for early drafts. I like them because they’re not precious. I don’t have to worry about writing words that rhyme or sentences with cadence. I can simply play, trying anything, trying everything, scratching out, crumpling up, experimenting. There are no expectations. The ordinariness of those writing utensils frees me...

Strongheart: The Story Of A Wonder Dog

Here’s the first chapter from a middle grade novel to be published by Schwartz-Wade Books based on the life of a real dog, stage named Strongheart—the first canine star in Hollywood.

THE PUPPY

It was another carefree day, and Etzel had lots to do.

He tipped over the water bowl, turning the barn floor into splashing puddle of fun.

He chased the chickens, delighting in squawk and flap.

And he gulped down the last of the kibble, licking the bowl to shiny emptiness.

Then tired and full, he flopp...

Designing The Family Romanov

Many people have asked me about the design of The Family Romanov. Why not scatter those archival photographs throughout the text as is usually done in nonfiction books for young readers?

Because this book demanded something different… something daring.

Let me explain further by revealing the three reasons behind my design choice.

I wanted the storytelling to do the heavy lifting this time around. My goal was to appeal to kids as readers, not report writers. I wanted The Family Romanov to hav...

Mary Todd Lincoln’s White Cake

As part of my research for The Lincolns: A Scrapbook Look at Abraham and Mary, I baked Mary Lincoln’s white cake. In truth, it wasn’t very good (although this could be the baker’s fault). It came out heavy and dry, more biscuit than cake. No wonder Mary liked to serve it with smashed strawberries. It needs the moisture.

Bald Eagle vs. The Turkey

“I wish the bald eagle had not been chosen as the representative of our country,” [Ben Franklin] said when he heard of Congress’s 1782 decision.

“He is a bird of bad moral character; he does not get his living honestly. You may have seen him, perched on some dead tree, where, too lazy to fish for himself, he watches the labor of the fishing hawk; and when that diligent bird has at length taken a fish and is bearing it to his nest is support of his mate and young ones, the bald eagle pursues hi...

Book Design

I always come up with the book’s design. It’s such an integral part of the story I’m telling, another way to extend the material. Thus, I always, always have a firm vision of story’s physical appearance.

With the “scrapbook” biographies, I not only researched and chose all the photographs, but I laid the book out as well. Using A-4 paper, a copy machine, glue sticks and scissors, I physically mapped out the pages, deciding on the order of each picture and entry. No one else could have done tha...

Organizing My Research

Oh, how I wish I could tell you I’d discovered a surefire way of organizing my research. Sadly, I can’t, because I haven’t. I try, but…well…the mountains of material I amass can be just so hard to wrangle, especially for a naturally disorganized person like myself.

If you peeked into my office today you’d see that a long table has been squeezed in next to my already-oversized desk. Stacks of books and note-filled ledger pads cover both. As for the floor, you can just barely see it for the pile...