Tina M. Cho
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The Heart of the Biography

1/27/2014

22 Comments

 
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The best biographies are those that peek into the heart and soul of their subject. They delve deep beneath the surface of “fact” to find the real human story. ~ Candace Fleming


A neat opportunity happened a week ago. I interviewed a living descendant of the person I'm writing a picture biography about. You might be thinking--how did you find a living relative? Lots of hunting on the Internet. I really felt like a stalker! A school was named after my person and celebrating its 100th anniversary. A law paper about it listed all the living descendants! Thanks to Kristen Fulton of our WOW Nonfiction Facebook group, she suggested looking up the descendants on Spokeo.com for phone numbers and addresses. I also searched them on Facebook and found two, but they didn't answer my messages or friend requests. I don't blame them; I don't friend strangers either. White Pages.com and Anywho.com also helped me narrow down phone numbers. Then, I said a prayer, and with enough courage, called. I couldn't believe she answered the phone. She's the great-granddaughter and 88 years old. I think she was more surprised that I was calling from South Korea. We had a lovely conversation later that day, but to be honest, she didn't really give me any new information. However, she did stress some details that I thought weren't as important. So now I'm re-looking at those areas. She also told me to call another relative, which I still have to do after I do another step.

I ordered in some actual books on my subject from Amazon. Otherwise, all my sources, journals and autobiographies, have been online through the Library of Congress Archives. I'm so fortunate I can research while in another country! So I'm currently reading these books, and then I'll call relative #2.

I've also read from some of the experts in the picture book biography field. Kathleen Krull likes to read actual books about her subject first rather than autobiographies, journals, and diaries, because she says people can lie about themselves. She reads what the best scholars have to say about the person or topic. Candace Fleming likes to use all sorts of materials, books, Internet, newspapers, etc...plus she travels to the place her person lived. Since I can't do option #2, I'm now doing option #1. However, I started opposite Kathleen. I read all of the journals online first and am now reading what scholars said about her. And the cool thing about this--the scholars WENT to the university libraries and read all the letters and nitty-gritty that's not online. So it's like they did all the research for me. haha. And finding out what other authors said about my person is also enlightening. I'm still debating the emotional arc or heart of my biography. So it's neat to see what character qualities they picked up on.

I wanted to share some expert advice from the picture book biography authors that have been useful to me. The links are below. I did write my bad first draft and have sent it to my critique groups. Now it's time to rewrite, now that I know more of the heart of my biography. 

Awesome interviews of Candace Fleming and Kathleen Krull on writing biographies
A video interview of Tanya Lee Stone, watch "A Person's Story"
Kathleen Krull has lots of links and information for authors

I hope this is helpful. If you know of other helpful sources, please share. 

22 Comments
Kirsten Larson link
1/26/2014 10:03:11 pm

I can't wait to dive into these links, Tina! I've recommended your previous posts on biography openings and endings to several folks. This is a great series.

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:16:21 pm

Thanks for sharing my posts, Kirsten!

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Rosanne link
1/27/2014 01:32:58 am

Great process. Thanks for sharing. You're excitement for the subject and for the book is so evident.

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:17:05 pm

Thanks, Roseanne. My excitement came through too much as I used too many exclamation points in my 1st draft. hehe

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Joanna
1/27/2014 02:10:32 am

Super post with some excellent links. Thank you, Tina.

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:17:34 pm

Thanks, Joanna. Hope u can use them sometime.

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Hannah Holt link
1/27/2014 05:12:02 am

"People lie about themselves." Ha, this comment made me laugh. Yes, people lie about themselves, but so do other people (biographers). Not always intentionally, but I always choose first hand material over second hand material. And if you can read enough first hand material, you can usually catch people in their own lies. I'm glad your phone call went well and that you have new leads! I'm so excited about this project of yours. :)

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:18:26 pm

What would I do without your help, Hannah? Thanks for ALL your comments.

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Teresa Robeson link
1/27/2014 06:37:03 am

Getting a primary source, even if it's just to confirm what you already know is a huge deal, so congratulations!

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:18:56 pm

Thanks, Teresa. Finding a primary resource is like being on a treasure hunt.

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Todd Burleson
1/27/2014 09:02:20 am

Wow. Our minds are running closely right now! Can't wait to dig into these. Many thanks.

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:19:41 pm

Thanks, Todd. It's helpful that many of us are in the same stage in our writing.

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Laura S. link
1/27/2014 09:36:48 am

Tina, thank you for sharing your process. I think it's fabulous that you actually got to speak with a descendent of the person you are researching. That really makes history feel so connected to the present. I can't wait to read your book one day!

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:20:26 pm

Thanks, Laura, for all your help. Yes, it's been eye-opening to speak to actual relatives.

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Tracy Campbell link
1/27/2014 11:07:00 am

Tina, that is a neat experience. You didn't let fear hold you back. Yay! :
Thanks for sharing your experience and the links. :-)

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:21:00 pm

Thanks, Tracy. God helps me with my fear!

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Nancy I. Sanders link
1/27/2014 10:46:41 pm

Oh Tina, what an amazing answer to prayer! And a delightful adventure!!!!! Your picture book sounds wonderful already!!!!

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Tina Cho link
1/28/2014 01:21:43 pm

Thanks, Nancy! I'm looking forward to reading/learning more on your blog about this.

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Cathy Ballou Mealey link
1/28/2014 10:03:09 pm

This is a wonderful post - thank you for all the links!

I think it is absolutely incredible what we can research in the internet age without the boundaries of distance, time, etc.

Looking forward to learning more about your story!

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Tina Cho link
1/29/2014 12:18:56 pm

Thanks, Cathy. Yes, I'm amazed how much I can find on the Internet, especially primary resources!

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patientdreamer link
2/1/2014 04:00:45 am

Loved these posts on biographies. Excellent links. Amazing listening to Tanya talk about the group of astronauts, that must have been a real buzz for her. Can't wait to hear what happens when you talk to relative #2. What differences you pick up on between the relatives. Brilliant work. Tina.

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Robin link
2/1/2014 04:11:38 am

Tina, Congratulations! It must have been so exciting to finally find and be able to speak to the great-granddaughter. Also, thanks so much for posting your research techniques and tools. (I hadn't really thought much about doing a biographical picture book until I read both your posts about beginnings and ends. Extremely thought provoking. :))

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    Tina M. Cho, children's author

    I'm a children's author and freelance writer for the educational market. Welcome!

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