Tanya Lee Stone

 As writers, we ask ourselves certain questions about our characters and stories. What is most important to my main character? What does he or she want? How will she get it? All of our narrative choices should serve the answers to these questions in some way. This is extremely helpful in real life. What is most important to you? Your relationships with others, what you believe in, how you spend your time? What choices will you make that will best serve the answers to those questions?

 August 26th is Women's Equality Day, thanks to Bella Abzug. It celebrates the fact that 90 years ago today, women were finally given the right to vote. It is a monumental day that sneaks by unnoticed. So take a minute to remember how much the world has changed--and how much farther we have to go in the name of equality for all people. And if you're game, take the Women's Equality Day Quiz, courtesy of the National Women's History Project!

 School is about to start and that means two things to me:

1) Gear up for The Good, the Bad, and the Barbie promotion
2) Get to writing!!

What does it mean to YOU?

 So, ALA was simply a whirlwind surreal blast of happiness. A nonstop schedule jam-packed with fun things like signing 200 Barbie galleys, doing a Reading Rockets interview for PBS, having Roger Sutton ask me his five questions (which were great, and actually six!), celebratory luncheons with the YALSA and Sibert committees, an Almost Astronauts signing, the Newbery/Caldecott banquet, and the Sibert ceremony--PHEW! 

Over on Facebook, I posted how supportive and wonderful the children's lit world is, and it really, truly is. It was a love fest. And an authentic one. In general, we are people who wake up each morning and get to do what we love to do. It makes for a pretty happy bunch. 

I wish I had pictures to share, but alas, I forgot my CAMERA! So, here's a plea--if anyone out there took pics at ALA that happen to include me and want to share (I don't even have a pic accepting the Sibert), please let me know!

Happy 4th of July weekend everyone!

 My newest INK blog on this topic, as of today. 

 Way back in 2003, I gave a talk at New England SCBWI about the importance of balance. How do we balance work and kids and romance and bills and housekeeping and cooking and, well, you get the picture. Where does time for oneself fit in?

Every so often, I pull that talk out and give it a read. Sure I wrote it, but that doesn't mean I am always able to practice what I preach. I need reminders. I think it's safe to say that most of us do.

Two things I have done that feel right, especially right now when school is letting out for the littles and I have two big work-related trips on the horizon (see some of you at ALA and L.A. SCBWI!), not to mention two looming book deadlines:

1) I have discovered yoga and it actually is kind of life-changing. Unlike any other form of exercise I have ever done, I look forward to it like it's a reward.

2) I have signed up for a week-long musical theater intensive with the Circle in the Square folks even though it meant lots of summer schedule juggling for the family.

It's a start.
How about you? What will bring more balance to your life?

 Here is the link to my latest INK blog, which answers this question from my point of view as a nonfiction writer and reader.

I have had some requests for this topic, so am posting this here for anyone interested. It's an article I wrote for SLJ.

The Quest for Authenticity :

In my early days as a nonfiction writer, I mostly wrote books that offered straightforward, informed narratives for young readers. Then, as my writing evolved, I delved into subjects that affected me more personally and I began to write a new kind of nonfiction. Of course, nonfiction must always be clear and accurate, but now my main motivation and responsibility is to bring my passion for a to...

 Friday is the DCF Conference--the Dorothy Canfield Fisher Conference. It is the Vermont state children's award for older readers and a day librarians get together to discuss books, libraries, and writing. I was honored to be asked to give the Endnote lecture and am currently working on finishing writing said lecture. 

The process of writing a lecture about what you do--for anyone who does this, I imagine--is a process of discovery and insight into exactly how and why you do what you do. It's a great opportunity to take a step back and examine how you got here and why you love it. I find the whole experience very satisfying and I always discover (uncover) new things about myself that explain me to me a little bit more!

I think all artists of every kind know what I'm talking about. If you're a visual artist, what led you to pick up that paintbrush or charcoal pencil? A musician--when and why did you first find your instrument? Writers--what is your storytelling history?

What were your early experience that relate to what you do now? What people in your life influenced the path you are on today?

 At least I had the good sense to update my profile pic here, right? I'm making a little progress.

 I am not good at posting over here on LJ, mostly because I get the impression that everyone is over on Facebook. Am I wrong? Is anyone reading this? Is posting longer blog-type entries over here something people want to read? 

 Countdown to paperback release of Elizabeth Leads the Way--on sale tomorrow!

9. Like Susan B. Anthony, Lucretia Mott was an extremely close friend of Elizabeth Cady Stanton's--Sisterhood has always been strong!

Download a Free Reading Guide of Elizabeth Leads the Way!

 Countdown to paperback release of Elizabeth Leads the Way on 2/16/10!

7. Elizabeth Cady Stanton insisted that the word "obey" be taken out of their marriage vows.
8. Elizabeth and Henry spent their honeymoon at an Anti-Slavery Convention in London.

Download a Free Reading Guide of Elizabeth Leads the Way.

Countdown to paperback release of Elizabeth Leads the Way on 2/16/10!

6. Elizabeth Cady Stanton ran for Congress in 1866, reasoning that even is she couldn't vote, men could still vote for her!

Download a Free Reading Guide of Elizabeth Leads the Way

 Countdown to paperback release on Feb 16th of Elizabeth Leads the Way--Fact #5!

5. When Elizabeth Cady agreed to marry abolitionist Henry Stanton, she said she would add his name to hers, but would not give up her own just to marry him. Thus, Elizabeth Cady became Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

 Elizabeth Cady Stanton and her sisters in action crafted the eloquent Declaration of Sentiments--inspired by the Declaration of Independence. Stanton boldly stood at the front of the crowded hall and read it aloud at the first Seneca Falls Convention.

 3. Her father lamented the fact that she was a girl, saying, "Oh, how I wish you were a boy!"

Elizabeth Leads the Way comes out in paperback on 2/16! 

Let the countdown begin! The paperback of Elizabeth Leads the Way will launch on Feb 16! Each day I will tell you one tidbit about Elizabeth Cady Stanton. Today I will tell you two, to make up for the fact that I didn't start yesterday.

1. ECS was the driving force behind the first Seneca Falls Convention to discuss the injustice of women not being able to vote

If you know nothing else about this great lady, know this!!

2. She had seven--count them, SEVEN--children, and still managed to travel all over the country fighting for women's rights. 

For the next ten days--between now and February 16 when the Elizabeth Leads the Way paperback comes out--I will be posting a fact a day about Elizabeth Cady Stanton.

This incredible woman only has a few sentences devoted to her in most of our social studies textbooks, which was what prompted me to write a picture book about her in the first place, and introduce her to kids in a way that they could get a feel of who she was.

I have my own favorite Top Ten list that I compiled about Elizabeth, so I will post one factoid per day from the list until we get to Number 10, which will be Paperback Launch Day!

So here's to you, Elizabeth Cady Stanton--and stay tuned. The list begins tomorrow.

I was beyond THRILLED to find out that Almost Astronauts is one of the five finalists for the brand new YALSA Excellence in Nonfiction Award!! We will find out who the winner is on January 18th, the same day the ALA announces all the awards for this year's books. I must say that the old saying "It's an honor just to be nominated" is absolutely TRUE! Thank you, YALSA/ALA!