How to use this Page

From Haig to Kitchener, and Vera Lynn to Wilfred Owen, how well you know the figures of the First World War? Who’s Who highlights the individuals who had an impact on the events of the Great War. Looking through Who’s Who, we are able to gain a snapshot of the talents and achievements of these individuals, and how they went on to influence history.

 Who’s Who is the essential directory of the noteworthy and influential in every area of public life, published worldwide, and written by the entrants themselves. Who’s Who and Who Was Who 2014 includes autobiographical information on over 134,000 influential people from all walks of life. You can browse by people, education, and even recreation. Check out the latest feature article, which offers article content on those who shaped history between the years 1897 and 1940. For free lives of the day, follow Who’s Who on Twitter @ukwhoswho

Subscribe to the OUPblog via email or RSS.
Subscribe to only British history articles on the OUPblog via email or RSS.
Image credit: Field Marshal Douglas Haig. Image available via Wikimedia Commons.

The post How much do you know about the First World War? appeared first on OUPblog.

        

Related Stories

• English convent lives in exile, 1540-1800
• Eighteenth-century soldiers’ slang: “Hot Stuff” and the British Army
• 1914-1918: the paradox of semi-modern war

 

This week, please enjoy a series of interviews with my friend, fellow writer and SCBWI member, Sheri Oshins. Sheri founded the Hunterdon County Children's Writer's Group (HCCWG). Her personal blog, Diary of a Children’s Book Writer, has charmed its way to a large audience since only 2007. Her group blog, devoted to HCCWG, has done the same. For 16 years, Sheri taught and tutored reading and writing. Now, she’s wholeheartedly pursuing becoming a published writer. We share this same lifelong dream, which is the platform for our friendship – two women, finally realizing our dream.

GwG: Why is joining SCBWI “the best thing you've ever done?”
Sheri: You know, people say to listen to the Universe, follow what the Universe presents you... I returned to work about 4 years ago. I am a former elementary teacher. I stopped teaching when I had children so I could pursue writing. But I never got much writing done. All you writer moms out there with young babes at home - I bow to you - I just couldn't do it. I was floundering. I didn't know where to begin.

I read the Children's Writer's & Illustrator's Market and other books. I took a screenplay writing course in NYC, but I still felt I wasn't on the right path. And I was scared. It's hard to work with one income these days. So, once my youngest was in first grade, I ran back to the shelter of teaching. And I was miserable!

Teaching is more than a full time job. I was the 4th grade English teacher, so I saw all the students for LA, reading, and writing. I had about 70 essays to grade every week. Everything came second to teaching. My children, my husband, my home, and my writing. I was teaching about great writers like Sharon Creech, Pearl S. Buck, Karen Hesse, but I wasn't being one.

We went to see The Chronicles of Narnia (I will get to SCBWI soon, I promise...). The lights went down and we transported to this magical world. I sat there with tears streaming down my face during the whole movie. Not because it was an amazing movie. But because I couldn't stop thinking that I'll never get to see myself do this... write for children... invent worlds in books. It was a turning point for me.

After a long talk with my husband, it was agreed. I needed to stop teaching and give writing my best, whole effort. Life's too short. I stopped being afraid I wouldn't be successful, or we wouldn't have enough money. I just needed to live the life I was meant to live. Once I did, things started happening. My job (which was filling a year's maternity leave) happily came to an end. All the teachers wanted to fight on my behalf, but I knew this was the right move. I moved on. Sure, I was scared about bills and such, but I felt safe. I trusted the Universe.

And then, SCBWI kept whispering to me. At first, I ignored it. But then, the whisper grew into a shriek until I was reminded of that joke about the man who drowned waiting for a sign from God... I spoke to the RA of my local chapter, who was so welcoming. I joined and saw immediately why my first publishing attempt, armed only with the Writer's Market, had failed.

You need other writers in your life. If for no other reason than to surround yourself with people who are living writing life. It enables you and inspires you to press on. Also, you need one-on-one, face-to-face connections with editors and agents. You can't get that anywhere else! SCBWI puts you face-to-face with the very people who might buy your MS. It puts you ahead of the slush pile. It helps make the nearly impossible, possible. I have seen it time and time again: All the writers I know with contracts made those connections through SCBWI.

GwG: How did you form the HCCWG writer’s group, and what was your inspiration to do so?
Sheri: Well, again, this was because of SCBWI. After attending my first workshop at SCBWI, I saw that I really needed to join a peer critique group. But all the groups I tried to join through NJ SCBWI were either full or disbanded. I felt discouraged and called Kathy Temean, the RA for NJ SCBWI. She said, start your own group. I thought, why not?

At first, I went to a large book chain. They suggested I put up fliers in the library. Again, the Universe smacked me on the top of my head! So I called, and as kismet would have it, they said they wanted a writer's group to bring new life into the library. When you are on the right track, things just fall into place. The library also wanted the local paper and radio station to interview me. The article attracted 60 people to our first meeting. I was shocked! We formed 6 smaller sub-genre groups. I found 5 wonderful women to run each of the small groups, and we have run strong ever since.

We celebrated our year anniversary this past April and currently have 40 dedicated members with the same common goal - to write for children and become published. Each facilitator meets with her own small group once a month and we, facilitators, meet once a month, too. We put on events, have guest speakers... it's a great organization, if I must say so myself. And... my writing has grown so much over this year by surrounding myself with honest, diligent writers. You can visit our blog, too.

GwG: How has HCCWG enhanced the writing process for you?
Sheri: First, we set deadlines for one another. You must be accountable for your own progress. And not be the dead weight in the group. We share outlines, writing struggles, dilemmas, brainstorms. It's priceless.

The feedback is priceless too. Not in the sense that you might always agree or want to take all the feedback you hear, but it makes you think. It either solidifies your original intentions, echoes inner fears you've harbored anyway, or highlights what you didn't consider. We have a rule in HCCWG, it's take it or toss it. We heard this at an SCBWI event and we've adapted it. If you hear something that doesn't resonate, don't reject it right away. See if you receive similar feedback from those outside your group. If you hear it at least three other times, it's time to consider this feedback as worthy.

The group also taught me to respect my own process as unique. We often compare what we do and how we do it with other writers. But we need to stop this. Discover when you write the best, the morning, the afternoon, the night.... the spring, the summer, the fall... I have found my writing process is from Sept to May/June and in the mornings. Once summer hits, I need to read, study, and reflect. That's just how it works for me. I've learned, from being in my group, to trust my process.

Presenting a snapshot of aspiring author and fellow trudger on the road to publication, Richie Frieman... writer, illustrator, creator of the online magazine, Pen's Eye View, and new father, to boot. It's sure to be a bustling Fall for this up-and- comer.

GwG: How did you become interested in children's literature?
Richie: I have vivid memories of writing and sketching children’s stories as far back as elementary school. And I majored in art at the University of Maryland. I painted, sketched, learned graphic design, and gained confidence by being surrounded by others who love art.

GwG: You self-published your picture book, Terple. Why did you go this route, and what has the trudge to traditional publication been like, as a result?

Richie: I self-published so I could showcase a hard-copy version. “Terple” sells online at Amazon, Target, Barnes & Noble, and locally in Baltimore at Greetings & Readings. I did a book reading and signing there, and arranged for newspaper coverage, too. I felt like a true author and was completely hooked. That said, the "trudge" has been terrible! I have no agent, and I've received endless rejections. I’ve taken chances and made many mistakes. I've tried everything from disguising my voice and acting as my own agent, to hand-delivering manuscripts myself. But I have to stay positive. Even Harry Potter filled many a trash can before it was picked up.

GwG: What are writing now, and what's the submission strategy?Richie: I am currently writing two more “Terple” picture books and will next attempt a YA book in the tradition of the Gossip Girl series, or French Kiss. That may seem odd for a 29 year old male, but I appreciate the humor. I plan to 1) Only query agents who represent similar titles. 2) Obey the submission guidelines. 3) Call to reconfirm they accept new material.

GwG: As an aspiring author, how do you network?
Richie: I network aggressively, attend SCBWI conferences, and I believe in my work. You are your best salesman!

GwG: How do you review your work?
Richie: I joined a critique group, which is helpful. Shel Silverstein said that "If you're creative person, you should just go about your business, do your work, and not care about how it’s received. I never read reviews because if you believe the good ones you have to believe the bad ones, too."

GwG: Has fatherhood changed your writing process or perspective?

Richie: Fatherhood is fantastic! Too great to describe. It hasn't changed my writing process much. I write any time, any place, on anything. Post-Its are my best friend. I once wrote some verse on my daughter’s diaper - it was clean at the time! But that's my writing style. It comes to me, and I have to get it down before I forget. I most want my daughter to know the importance and enjoyment of reading. I have ADHD. Reading a book used to be paramount to swimming across the ocean. I don't want my daughter to miss out in that way.

GwG: Tell us about your online magazine, Pen's Eye View. How do you balance writing and maintaining the site?
Richie: PensEyeView.com is an Internet magazine that features artist and musician interviews every 48 hours. Since going live, we've never missed a day. I plan to keep it growing. As with writing, you can't give up! I just have to make time for everything and hope for the best… always hope for the best.