Can You Learn More From Fiction Than Nonfiction?
Learning a little something from everything you read. I’ve said it a hundred times if I’ve said it once: “Write what you know, read what you don’t.” Writing what you … Continue reading
One Way to Land an Interview
My interview on The Historians Every once in awhile something falls into your lap, but if you don’t act on it, it will slip through your legs like a bad-hop … Continue reading
Why I Wrote Pete Seeger, The People’s Singer
The importance of making your own hero relevant to a new audience. When you write biographies, you get used to the question, “So, why did you write about so-and-so?” For … Continue reading
5 Steps to Making Minor Historical Figures Exciting
(This is the first of two parts. The second focuses on fiction – Five Steps to Making Your Minor Characters Exciting) Everybody has a story to tell, but some stories … Continue reading
Schenectady Today Interview: Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent
Host Ann Parillo interviews me about my book Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent. Fun time. (By the way, they shoot the show Tuesday mornings at Proctors Theater. My book … Continue reading
Mary Dyer Interview
A fun father-son project. My son — a member of the target audience — interviews me about my book Mary Dyer, Friend of Freedom. A blatant promotion, but we had … Continue reading
The Cover of Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent
Here is the final cover for Judy Garland: Little Woman, Big Talent, a middle-grade biography about the legendary actress and singer. This is a colorized version of a black-and-white publicity … Continue reading
What Five Years as a Children’s Writer Means
I realized upon logging in to my Society of Children’s Book Writers & Illustrators account the other day that I have been with SCBWI for five years. That raises the … Continue reading
75th Anniversary of The Wizard of OZ
Today is the 75th anniversary of the release of the most famous version of The Wizard of Oz — the one starring Judy Garland. Two months from now will see … Continue reading
What Makes Non-Fiction Read Like Fiction?
Turning facts and figures into a compelling story. It’s been said that the best non-fiction reads like a fast-paced thriller. And it should read like solid fiction with one exception … Continue reading
John Briggs Books 