One of the greatest gifts of Social Media is the connection my students and I can make to authors. Caroline Starr Rose blogs regularly about writing. Last year, I won a 30 minute Skype interview. My students asked her for a galley proof of her next novel. We received it in August. Vannisa, already a fan having read May B, read it immediately. I read it over the holiday break. What a wonderful story! Both Vannisa and I loved the characters of Alis and Kimi. We are amazed by Caroline’s way of making history come to life in her characters. After Colby Sharp of Nerdy Book Club and SharpRead, Vannisa wrote a 5,4,3,2,1 interview.
Can you tell me a little bit about the story of Blue Birds?
Alis and her family have left London to help establish a colony on the island of Roanoke. She is the only girl and lonely for a friend. Kimi watches the newcomers warily. The English killed her father and sister, but she’s curious about the girl. Alis and Kimi form a forbidden friendship that threatens to change both their worlds.
How did you manage to find all the information for the book?
I read a whole lot. I also asked experts to look over my work to see if I’d gotten things right.
What is your advice to authors writing a historical fiction book as accurate as yours?
Read, read, read. Be true to the times. But beyond the facts, think about emotions and feelings. Through the ages, these are the things that unite us.
Are you currently thinking about writing a new book?
I’m working on one now about the Klondike gold rush.
What is your advice to student writers like myself?
You have something unique to say. Your work can only improve if you keep at it! Don’t be in a hurry to be finished or move on to something new.
http://www.carolinestarrrose.com
This post is part of a week-long celebration in honor of the book Blue Birds.
Author Caroline Starr Rose is giving away a downloadable PDF of this beautiful Blue Birds quote (created by Annie Barnett of Be Small Studios) for anyone who pre-orders the book from January 12-19. Simply click through to order from Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Books A Million, IndieBound, or Powell’s, then email a copy of your receipt to caroline@carolinestarrrose.com by Monday, January 19. PDFs will be sent out January 20.
Add your Digital Literacy posts:
I’m so glad to see this new book by Caroline Starr Rose. My students and I were huge fans of May B!
Wonderful work by Vanessa. Someday, she may turn into an author herself. What is a 5-4-3-2-1 interview?
I hope you enjoy DigiLit Sunday-I am bogged down by so much today and to top it off I fell on rain that turned to black ice on the way to church. Need to settle the chatter and get things in focus.
Colby Sharp uses this form. The interviewee answers questions with 1,2,3…sentences. I like this form because you get a good taste of who the author is without too much info. Vanessa chose the questions.
Very interesting format, Margaret. Thank you for letting me know about it.
Hooray for a new book by Caroline Starr Rose – we loved May B., too.
I love this interview style. How smart of you to connect all of these pieces together with your students! And thank you for introducing me to Caroline Starr Rose. Just ordered May B.
WOW! I just checked out May B from the library! Thank you for sharing Caroline Starr Rose’s blog to me. Going to order her new book right now! Awesome interview!!!
Caroline has a beautiful blog. She is kind and generous as well as giving good advice and support for writers.
This sounds like a book I’d love, and I can think of a few students who will love it, too! Thanks to you and Vannisa for the interview.
I pre-ordered the book earlier, Margaret, but what a wonderful thing for your students to get the preview galley! Love it!
I always find this kind of work fascinating. I’m looking forward to checking out Rose’s blog and new book. Thanks for hosting!
Cathy
[…] Blue Birds Interview with Caroline Starr Rose :: Reflections on the Teche […]