Read on to learn how this teacher became a writer, how she jump-starts her writing and what writing means to Patricia Reilly Giff. And be sure to check out the related Writing Workout at the end of this post.
In March, 2006, Sharon Darrow and I facilitated the SCBWI-Arizona Spring Retreat we’d purposefully titled “Mining for Gold: Re-visioning Your Writing and Your Writer's Life.”
But I mined gold, too, that last week of March, when I connected with writer Claudia Friddell of Baltimore, Maryland.
Claudia had arrived with an eye-opening, little-known story about the fire horse Goliath – the horse that had saved Baltimore during the Great Baltimore Fire of 1904. Claudia’s heart beat loudly each time she spoke about Goliath, when she shared her research, when she read aloud her fictional tale. I knew instantly she had a winner of a story - only a non-fiction telling true to horse and event.
During the next four years, Claudia continued to teach First Grade at the Gilman School, a private boys school in Baltimore, worked with me as a Writing Coach to fine-tune and revision her non-fictional telling, researched and smartly targeted likely publishers at BookExpo in Washington, D.C., then sold her polished gem
Goliath: Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire to Sleeping Bear Press. The picture book, gorgeously illustrated by
Troy Howell, published May 1 to stellar reviews. Each time I reread the book, I marvel at the “You-are-There!” experience Claudia created. Her verbs and sound words would make any teacher smile.
I couldn’t wait to introduce Claudia Friddell, TeachingAuthor, former student, now friend and colleague, to our TeachingAuthor readers!
Sleeping Bear Press generously agreed to donate an autographed copy of Claudia’s book, to be awarded to one of our lucky readers. To be eligible, post a comment by 11 pm CST, Tuesday, June 29 about a Writing Conference you've attended or
wish to attend. We’ll announce the winner on June 30. If you don't have a Google profile, please include an email address to qualify.
Thank you, Claudia, for agreeing to this TeachingAuthor interview.
And, thank you, Michelle Parker-Rock, SCBWI-Arizona Regional Advisor, for orchestrating that March, 2006 truly golden Spring Retreat.
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1. How did you become a TeachingAuthor?Two constants in my adult life have been teaching and writing. Four years ago, I had the great fortune to receive a sabbatical from my school to concentrate on researching and writing books. One of the books I wrote during that semester was
Goliath, Hero of the Great Baltimore Fire. I also attended an SCBWI Writer's Retreat in Arizona, where I met Esther Hershenhorn. Right from the start, Esther treated me, and all of the participants, as professionals. She helped me believe in myself as a writer and her encouragement inspired me along the way to getting Goliath published. A few months later, I met Heather Hughes, the publisher of Sleeping Bear Press, at the Book Expo in Washington D.C. I loved their books and felt that Sleeping Bear would be the perfect home for Goliath. Fortunately for me, the folks at SBP agreed! I couldn’t have asked for a better experience as a first time author!
2. What’s a common problem/question that your students have and how do you address it?My students are at the very beginning of their journeys as writers, and it is difficult for them to offer details
Welcome Jill! I always look forward to these posts, so much is shared! I am back to work this week, but hope to access some of the links you've given; they sound great. Thank you for all!
Thanks, Linda! Happy to be here. And thank you, Esther, for the warm welcome! I'm another fan of SCBWI's conference blog - not quite like being in L.A., but as close as I usually get. I've bookmarked the WriteOn site. Always fun to see what goes on there.
Yes, I'm grateful to have Jill join our time. And thanks, Esther, for the great links!
Thank you, Esther for all the links and welcome Jill, I look forward to reading your post on Friday.
Thanks, Jeanette!