Writing
nonfiction is a highly personal experience for me—a journey. And the adventure always
begins with a strong connection to my topic. While the connection could be
rooted in passion, it might also stem from intense curiosity . . . or fear.
And
what better way to explore a topic than through the experiences of brave women
from history? As a child and young adult I often avoided trying new things
because I feared failure.
what better way to explore a topic than through the experiences of brave women
from history? As a child and young adult I often avoided trying new things
because I feared failure.
But
now I realize how important failure is to growth and success. The women I write
about inspire me to take risks and embrace failure. This often involves taking
on challenging and exciting hands-on research, so I can truly understand who
and what I am writing about.
now I realize how important failure is to growth and success. The women I write
about inspire me to take risks and embrace failure. This often involves taking
on challenging and exciting hands-on research, so I can truly understand who
and what I am writing about.
I
grow personally with every book I write. Here are a few examples of how this
has played out.
grow personally with every book I write. Here are a few examples of how this
has played out.
The
spark for Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine (Calkins Creek,
2016) was my own fear of flying and my admiration for those early aviators who risked their lives. When
I read about Ruth Law and her record breaking cross-country flight from Chicago
to New York City, I couldn’t imagine the courage it took to fly in a flimsy
flying machine made from bamboo and cloth. And what about the huge obstacles
Ruth faced as a woman in 1916? Her persistence was remarkable.
spark for Fearless Flyer: Ruth Law and Her Flying Machine (Calkins Creek,
2016) was my own fear of flying and my admiration for those early aviators who risked their lives. When
I read about Ruth Law and her record breaking cross-country flight from Chicago
to New York City, I couldn’t imagine the courage it took to fly in a flimsy
flying machine made from bamboo and cloth. And what about the huge obstacles
Ruth faced as a woman in 1916? Her persistence was remarkable.
But how could I write about Ruth without
knowing what it was like to fly in an open cockpit? Since I couldn’t find an
early biplane, I decided to try paragliding. Up in the air, after my heart stopped
racing, a different feeling overcame me: exhilaration and freedom. I was flying
. . . gliding . . . swooping . . . with amazing open views in every direction.
knowing what it was like to fly in an open cockpit? Since I couldn’t find an
early biplane, I decided to try paragliding. Up in the air, after my heart stopped
racing, a different feeling overcame me: exhilaration and freedom. I was flying
. . . gliding . . . swooping . . . with amazing open views in every direction.
In that moment I felt so connected to Ruth. I
understood what she meant when she said, “The higher I soar, the greater
freedom and liberty I feel.” This inspired me to weave the theme of freedom
into the story—the freedom Ruth felt as a pilot and sought as a woman.
understood what she meant when she said, “The higher I soar, the greater
freedom and liberty I feel.” This inspired me to weave the theme of freedom
into the story—the freedom Ruth felt as a pilot and sought as a woman.
My
journey writing Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark
(Albert Whitman, 2016) literally transformed
me. I had been terrified of sharks and afraid to swim
in the ocean ever since I saw the movie Jaws
as a child.
journey writing Swimming with Sharks: The Daring Discoveries of Eugenie Clark
(Albert Whitman, 2016) literally transformed
me. I had been terrified of sharks and afraid to swim
in the ocean ever since I saw the movie Jaws
as a child.
Genie’s close relationship with sharks fascinated me. Through my
conversations with her, I discovered her profound curiosity and passion for
them. This sense of wonder became a primary theme in the book.
conversations with her, I discovered her profound curiosity and passion for
them. This sense of wonder became a primary theme in the book.
When we met, Genie couldn’t stop talking about an upcoming
research trip and how she hoped to scuba dive—at the age of 91! It was
then that I knew I needed to experience her underwater world to successfully
write about it, so I got certified to scuba dive.
research trip and how she hoped to scuba dive—at the age of 91! It was
then that I knew I needed to experience her underwater world to successfully
write about it, so I got certified to scuba dive.
By the time I plunged into the ocean, I had already learned from Genie
the truth about sharks: “sharks are magnificent and misunderstood.” And when I
saw my first shark underwater, I found myself following it.
the truth about sharks: “sharks are magnificent and misunderstood.” And when I
saw my first shark underwater, I found myself following it.
My research and personal journey not only informed my writing and
the themes in the book, they transformed my fear into a passion for sharks, and
they reminded me to never judge based on rumors or appearance.
the themes in the book, they transformed my fear into a passion for sharks, and
they reminded me to never judge based on rumors or appearance.
My newest picture book biography, Anybody’s Game: Kathryn Johnston, the First Girl to Play Little League
Baseball (Albert Whitman, 2018), grew
from my childhood passion: baseball. As a young girl, I rarely left the house without
my mitt and ball, and I played catch every day with my father and brother.
Baseball (Albert Whitman, 2018), grew
from my childhood passion: baseball. As a young girl, I rarely left the house without
my mitt and ball, and I played catch every day with my father and brother.
When my own kids started playing Little League, those special
memories came flooding back. I had the urge to learn more about the history of
women in baseball.
memories came flooding back. I had the urge to learn more about the history of
women in baseball.
I was shocked to read about Kathryn’s struggle to play Little
League in 1950. I had no idea girls were prohibited from playing Little League
baseball until 1974. I couldn’t imagine what my childhood would have been like
without baseball and softball. I knew I had to tell Kathryn’s story.
League in 1950. I had no idea girls were prohibited from playing Little League
baseball until 1974. I couldn’t imagine what my childhood would have been like
without baseball and softball. I knew I had to tell Kathryn’s story.
Reading,
researching, and writing nonfiction helps me grow in so many important ways. It’s
a chance to explore personal thinking, connect with our natural world, understand
how people in the past have made things better for us today, find role models,
overcome fears, and discover new passions. I hope the stories I share will
inspire young readers to dream and grow and embrace their own journeys.
researching, and writing nonfiction helps me grow in so many important ways. It’s
a chance to explore personal thinking, connect with our natural world, understand
how people in the past have made things better for us today, find role models,
overcome fears, and discover new passions. I hope the stories I share will
inspire young readers to dream and grow and embrace their own journeys.
Heather Lang loves to research
and write about real women who overcame extraordinary obstacles and never gave
up on their dreams. Her research adventures have taken her to the skies, the
treetops of the Amazon, and the depths of the ocean. Her award-winning picture
book biographies include Queen of the
Track: Alice Coachman, Olympic High-Jump Champion and The Original Cowgirl: The Wild Adventures of Lucille Mulhall. Her
next book, The Leaf Detective, will
share the story of biologist Margaret Lowman and her quest to explore and
protect our treetops. Visit Heather at www.heatherlangbooks.com.
and write about real women who overcame extraordinary obstacles and never gave
up on their dreams. Her research adventures have taken her to the skies, the
treetops of the Amazon, and the depths of the ocean. Her award-winning picture
book biographies include Queen of the
Track: Alice Coachman, Olympic High-Jump Champion and The Original Cowgirl: The Wild Adventures of Lucille Mulhall. Her
next book, The Leaf Detective, will
share the story of biologist Margaret Lowman and her quest to explore and
protect our treetops. Visit Heather at www.heatherlangbooks.com.
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