ICYMI: The 9th Annual #TWTBlog Author Spotlight Series

Here's a recap of this year's Author Spotlight Series.

Where the Writer Ends and the Character Begins

Craig Barr-Green likes to see how a writer creates unbearable tension and resolves it. Like Gina, he sometimes experiences sensory overload, and like Gina he can deal with it by jumping into a book.

From Idea to Book: Sharing the Process

When we write, we gain an insider’s perspective on the process. Sharing what we learn with kids makes teaching authentic and meaningful.

Inspiration Advice – Tree House Not Included

Natasha Tripplett is often asked where she finds her writing inspiration. She's fortunate to work in an environment that lends itself to oodles of ideas.

You Can Write For Children

Remember what made you say “wow” as a kid? Richard Ho advises to build your story around that sense of magic.

How Do I Fit It All In? Reflecting on Writing Beyond February

Dawnavyn James writes, "I thought that if this was going to be my only opportunity to share the importance and benefits of Black history in the elementary classroom, I had to be strategic. I had to be purposeful. I had to choose, which was very hard for me to do."

Writing to Remember

Today's guest author, Ruth Behar, states, "When I think about the most essential reason why I write, it is to remember. To remember those who came before me and what they thought and how they lived and what they dreamed of. "

A Sneek Peek at the 9th Annual #TWTBlog Author Spotlight Series

Starting tomorrow, picture book, middle-grade, and professional-teaching authors will share their insights on writing, their processes, and the path to publishing in #TWTBlog's Author Spotlight Series. We want to hear your thoughts throughout the week, so there's a book giveaway for those who share comments on each author's post!

Author Spotlight 2023 Roundup

In case you missed it, here's a recap of the 2023 Author Spotlight.

Can You Spell U-p-l-i-f-t? The Power of Spelling to Level the Playing Field

In 1936, eighth grader MacNolia Cox became the first African American to win the Akron, Ohio spelling bee and to advance to the finals in the national bee. How Do You Spell Unfair is the story of her groundbreaking achievement against a backdrop of racial discrimination.

Finding Inspiration: A Children’s Book Illustrator’s Journey

A journey through diversity, emotions, and nature: A children's book illustrator's endless pursuit of inspiration.

Doing More to Inspire

The things that motivate author Dana Kramaroff, to push through writing heavy content, are also what motivates so many of her students. She values the habits that energize her process, the tricks she uses to keep going, and the ways in which she helps herself when writing is difficult.