Today we continue the Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep series with an essay by author Steve Swinburne. Thank you, Steve.
I
could not imagine writing a nonfiction piece that I did not have an emotional
connection with. Life experiences, past jobs, memories from my travels, books
I’ve read, people I’ve met…all inform my nonfiction writing.
The
morning I sat down to write about how alligators are such super moms, memories
of being a National Park Service ranger on Cumberland Island National Seashore
in Georgia came flooding back to me.
morning I sat down to write about how alligators are such super moms, memories
of being a National Park Service ranger on Cumberland Island National Seashore
in Georgia came flooding back to me.
My
official title was Backcountry Wilderness Ranger. My job was twofold: help
campers in the backcountry and monitor Cumberland’s incredible wildlife. I’d
spend hours along the open beach or traipsing around the island’s interior
fresh-water lakes. Hidden by saw palmetto fronds, I’d observe alligators as
they safeguarded their nests. It was the hours of first-hand observation of
alligator nests in Georgia that inspired me to write my book, Alligators Make the Best Moms (West
River Press, 2018).
official title was Backcountry Wilderness Ranger. My job was twofold: help
campers in the backcountry and monitor Cumberland’s incredible wildlife. I’d
spend hours along the open beach or traipsing around the island’s interior
fresh-water lakes. Hidden by saw palmetto fronds, I’d observe alligators as
they safeguarded their nests. It was the hours of first-hand observation of
alligator nests in Georgia that inspired me to write my book, Alligators Make the Best Moms (West
River Press, 2018).
When
I stop to consider it, parental care in the animal world is a theme in a number
of my books (Alligators Make the Best
Moms; Safe, Warm and Snug; Safe in a Storm). What does that say
about me? My parents were divorced when I was a kid, and our family broke
apart. Because my parents’ breakup was hard on my siblings and me, my biggest
hope and wish is for young readers to experience a loving and stable family.
I’m sure that piece of who I am is reflected in my writing.
I
wrote Safe in a Storm (Scholastic,
2017) shortly after the 9/11 attack on the United States. I felt like we’d been
struck by a storm that day. As I thought about what I could write after the
initial shock and grief subsided, I began, as I often do, to view writing ideas
through the lens of nature.
wrote Safe in a Storm (Scholastic,
2017) shortly after the 9/11 attack on the United States. I felt like we’d been
struck by a storm that day. As I thought about what I could write after the
initial shock and grief subsided, I began, as I often do, to view writing ideas
through the lens of nature.
How
do animals survive storms? For instance, how do a whale and her calf ride out
an ocean squall?
do animals survive storms? For instance, how do a whale and her calf ride out
an ocean squall?
And,
yes, it took 15 years to find a publishing home for Safe in a Storm, but I never gave up. I kept on believing in this
story about how animals find cozy places to keep them safe and warm, no matter
how loud the storm rumbles or how dark the night gets. Bear cubs huddled
together in a den, mom and baby owl nestled in a sturdy tree, and a bobcat
family sheltering on a ledge, all while the winds and rain bluster and blow. I
kept on believing in the protective, healing power of home and family.
yes, it took 15 years to find a publishing home for Safe in a Storm, but I never gave up. I kept on believing in this
story about how animals find cozy places to keep them safe and warm, no matter
how loud the storm rumbles or how dark the night gets. Bear cubs huddled
together in a den, mom and baby owl nestled in a sturdy tree, and a bobcat
family sheltering on a ledge, all while the winds and rain bluster and blow. I
kept on believing in the protective, healing power of home and family.
Ideas
for writing are often found close to home, sometimes right under your nose.
Watching monarch butterflies has inspired one of my latest projects. A patch of
our neighbor’s Vermont backyard has milkweed, and I’ve had the opportunity to
follow the monarch life cycle from egg and larva to chrysalis and adult.
for writing are often found close to home, sometimes right under your nose.
Watching monarch butterflies has inspired one of my latest projects. A patch of
our neighbor’s Vermont backyard has milkweed, and I’ve had the opportunity to
follow the monarch life cycle from egg and larva to chrysalis and adult.
Researching
monarchs led me to discover that this beautiful insect may be headed toward the
Endangered Species List. Widespread use of herbicides in fields and pastures
and along roadsides has destroyed millions of acres of monarch habitat.
monarchs led me to discover that this beautiful insect may be headed toward the
Endangered Species List. Widespread use of herbicides in fields and pastures
and along roadsides has destroyed millions of acres of monarch habitat.
Monarch
Watch, an education/research/conservation organization, hopes to turn the tide
of monarch habitat loss by restoring milkweed across the country. When I
learned that their new Monarch Waystation Program encourages people to
grow milkweed and nectar plants on their properties, I rototilled part of my
backyard and am creating a monarch waystation. I’ve planted a few different
kinds of milkweed and quite a few nectar plants including cosmos, butterfly
bush, and Mexican sunflower.
Watch, an education/research/conservation organization, hopes to turn the tide
of monarch habitat loss by restoring milkweed across the country. When I
learned that their new Monarch Waystation Program encourages people to
grow milkweed and nectar plants on their properties, I rototilled part of my
backyard and am creating a monarch waystation. I’ve planted a few different
kinds of milkweed and quite a few nectar plants including cosmos, butterfly
bush, and Mexican sunflower.
 |
| Freshly planted Monarch Waystation |
It’s
just a start, but I know, one day, monarch butterflies will have a place to
raise their young and feed on flower nectar—a new home for butterflies. And,
perhaps a new book.
just a start, but I know, one day, monarch butterflies will have a place to
raise their young and feed on flower nectar—a new home for butterflies. And,
perhaps a new book.
Steve Swinburne has worked as a national
park ranger and is the author of more than 30 children’s books. His extensive
travels to faraway lands such as Africa, Borneo, Bangladesh and Dubai along
with treks through Yellowstone and swimming with manatees have all influenced
his book projects, including Sea Turtle
Scientist, Safe in a Storm, and Alligators Make the BEST Moms. Steve
visits nearly a hundred schools a year across the United States as well as many
international schools. He lives in Vermont with his wife, Heather, two dogs
named Scout and Jem, and a cat named Skittles. www.steveswinburne.com
park ranger and is the author of more than 30 children’s books. His extensive
travels to faraway lands such as Africa, Borneo, Bangladesh and Dubai along
with treks through Yellowstone and swimming with manatees have all influenced
his book projects, including Sea Turtle
Scientist, Safe in a Storm, and Alligators Make the BEST Moms. Steve
visits nearly a hundred schools a year across the United States as well as many
international schools. He lives in Vermont with his wife, Heather, two dogs
named Scout and Jem, and a cat named Skittles. www.steveswinburne.com
Most Popular Posts
Resignation
37 Comments
Re-thinking “E” Is for Everyone
34 Comments
We Need Diverse Nonfiction
31 Comments
The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction
28 Comments
Behind the Books: Does Story Appeal to Everyone?
27 Comments
10 STEM Picture Books
25 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Melissa Stewart
22 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Deborah Heiligman
19 Comments
Is It Fiction or Nonfiction? A Twitterchat
19 Comments
5 Kinds of Nonfiction, Book Lists
18 Comments
Topics
Most Popular Posts
Resignation
37 Comments
Re-thinking “E” Is for Everyone
34 Comments
We Need Diverse Nonfiction
31 Comments
The 5 Kinds of Nonfiction
28 Comments
Behind the Books: Does Story Appeal to Everyone?
27 Comments
10 STEM Picture Books
25 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Melissa Stewart
22 Comments
Nonfiction Authors Dig Deep by Deborah Heiligman
19 Comments
Is It Fiction or Nonfiction? A Twitterchat
19 Comments
5 Kinds of Nonfiction, Book Lists
18 Comments
One Response
Great post! Thanks for sharing your inspirations and reminding us that it takes persistence.