Carol Baldwin will speak at "Write at the StART" writing and illustrating conference on August 15th.
TD: First of all, let me say that it’s been a pleasure getting better acquainted with you. Writing conferences have a way of connecting people quickly. Chautauqua was great, wasn’t it?
Carol: “Great” is hardly a big enough word to describe Chautauqua! I would highly recommend the Highlights Writers Workshop for anyone who is seriously interested in writing or illustrating for children.
TD: Can you tell us what you’ll be speaking about at “Write at the Start”?
Carol: My topic, “Creative Writing in the Classroom: How to Inspire Your Students” is something that I am passionate about. When I speak at different teachers’ conferences, I am aware that many teachers do not communicate a joy of writing to their students. I think that is because either a) they are under pressure to “teach to the test” and don’t find room in their curriculum for anything else or b) they don’t feel competent as writers themselves. I have met teachers who in answer to “a” close the door to their classroom, teach what they want, and discover that their students learn the necessary writing skills and perform well on standardized tests– because they have learned these skills writing poems, stories, and plays. I applaud these teachers and want to encourage others to think outside the box and follow their example.
TD: How did you get into teaching teachers to write?
Carol: Honestly Tim, I came to this through the back door but have found that I truly enjoy it. I first developed materials for writing the short story in my step-daughters’ classrooms about 15 years ago. When my next three children were in middle school, I volunteered in their classrooms and was subsequently hired as a writing consultant in their private, Christian school. In that position, I expanded my initial materials and went on to showing the teachers how to teach this month-long unit. From there I found a publisher who was interested in publishing a book on writing short fiction and spent several years working with them to develop the material and to make it teacher-friendly.
TD: And you’ve published a book on that subject?
Carol: Teaching the Story: Fiction Writing in Grades 4-8 was published by Maupin House in 2007. The second edition, complete with 20 new mini-lessons that incorporate digital technology into the process of writing a short story came out in 2008.
TD: What have you learned as a result of publishing this book?
Carol: I had always heard that authors must work hard at promoting their own books. That cannot be under-emphasized. Since the audience for my book is primarily teachers, I found the best way to market the book is at reading conferences and Teachers of English conferences. I learned how to create PowerPoint presentations and have developed multiple workshops to reach and teach more teachers. Without a doubt, authors are the best sellers of their books.
TD: You recently took a trip to Prague. Researching for another book?
Carol: Actually, I have wanted to visit Prague ever since reading Jan Hus’s biography, On Fire for God. In the back recesses of my mind there might be a young adult book about Hus lurking somewhere, but not at the moment.
TD: Where does your inspiration for writing come from?
Carol: Good question. I don’t think I ever thought about that too much! Writing about what I experience, see, find interesting, or want to investigate comes pretty easily to me. As a result, nonfiction has been easier to write. But, I’ve always dreamed of writing a book for children that would be meaningful and enjoyable. So, now I think about that a lot.
TD: Any other writing projects you’d like to tell us about?
Carol: I’m working on my first serious work of fiction–an historical mid-grade novel that takes place in Charlotte in 1950. I also completed a book on the art, science, and history of glass that was never published (the publisher went bankrupt right after I finished the manuscript!) that I plan to brush off and send out again.
TD: An inspirational author?
Carol: Over 25 years ago I was introduced to Cynthia Voigt and George MacDonald. I admired the way both of them crafted gripping stories and realistic characters.
TD: Any advice for writers? (maybe born of your recent conference experience)
Carol: Try not to say “no” to anyone who asks you to write something—if at all possible! Several years ago I was asked to write an article on a particular glass artist for a prominent children’s magazine. Although I had access to the necessary information, I declined the opportunity because I felt as if the artist already had enough press and I wanted to write about someone else. I kicked myself when the magazine came out with a long article on the artist when I knew I could have written the piece!
TD: Any advice for writing teachers?
Carol: Be vulnerable with your students. Let them see how you write, rewrite, and sweat at making your writing shine.
Check out www.maupinhouse.com for resources written by teachers for teachers.
And of course, read my blog, www.carolbaldwinblog.blogspot.com. It’s all about literacy.