Joyce Moyer Hostetter, friend and fellow children’s author, is currently writing a novel taking place in communist-era East Germany. She recently spent time researching on location. I asked her to share with us a little about her process and about how her research shaped her trip.
Thank you, Emily, for inviting me to chat about how research affected my visit to Germany. My goal was to learn as much as I could about the history of the Berlin Wall and about life in eastern Germany during the communist era. As you can imagine, this narrowed my options a bit. I love visiting castles, cathedrals, and museums but, if they weren’t directly related to my work-in-progress, I pretty much ignored those things in favor of museums and historical landmarks that were important to my character.
There is the Brandenburg Door, of course! It definitely figures into my story!
And also the remnants of Anhalter Station which I didn’t even know existed until we passed it on the way to our hotel. I knew immedediately that this place would have significance for my character. I can’t wait to find out how it plays into the story.
At museums that tied into my story, I had to keep my focus. I couldn’t soak up every little thing – just those items that related to my subject. Time was of the essence so my camera became my note taker. I snapped pictures of everything! Information signs, artifacts, and primary documents.
I visited specific spots where my characters spent time.
Of course the landscape has changed tremendously in the decades since my story takes place but still it was important to me to walk the cobblestone streets, see certain landscapes at sunset or midday,
and take in the details of buildings, and the environment in general.
Knowing which trees are native to my setting and seeing them in bloom is important to me. I’m fairly certain my character would take note of such things.
So maybe you, or one of your readers, can tell me what this tree is.
And is it the same as this one with white blossoms?
I chose not to go to some places (big heartbreak). I wanted to visit the oldest carousel in the world near Frankfurt am Main since it is (or
Dear Readers,
Announcing the winner is always an exciting moment for me, but first I'm announcing the long awaited for news of the 2nd Annual Spilling Ink Creative Writing Contest for grades 4-8. Last year was such a successful and satisfying event, that we're doing it again. All details about the contest, the judges, and the MANY prizes will be announced on Friday, April 15th, right here on my blog. Hope you'll spread the word to the budding authors in your life!
And now, announcing the winner of BLUE by Award Winning Joyce Moyer Hostetter:
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| BLUE |
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| Joyce Moyer Hostetter |
The LUCKY Winner is:
***Lorrie Ziemba***
**Congratulations**
Lorrie, Please e-mail me: claragillowclark(@)gmail(.) com with your mailing address ASAP, and Joyce will have your book in the mail to you this week!
Be sure to check out Joyce's wonderful blog and web-site if you haven't already!
http://joycemoyerhostetter.com http://www.joycemoyerhostetter.blogspot.comWatch for the details of the Spilling Ink Writing Contest coming your way on FRIDAY, April 15th! Please take a moment to congratulate the WINNER of BLUE. THANK YOU!
Dear Readers,
Wasn't Joyce's confession of her research feeling deliciously sinful a treat? She's back now with more delicious insights about her writing and research process. Joyce learned this past week that her book, Comfort, is being released in paperback this fall! Congratulations, Joyce!
Be sure to check out her links and books at the end of the interview, and please take a moment to post a comment about her interview or to congratulate her on Comfort going to paperback this fall. I know that a lot of you are history lovers, so we'd also love to learn what children's book written or set in the 1940's is a favorite with you! Thanks so much! The WINNER of the autographed copy of BLUE will be announced next week along with details for the "2nd Annual Spilling Ink Writing Contest". Now, here's Joyce . . .
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| Joyce Moyer Hostetter |
1. What drew you to this time period—WWII on the home front? In the American South? I was raised in the American south so I think it was inevitable that I would eventually write a story set here. But I was actually working on a 19
th century Hawaii story when I met Editor, Carolyn Yoder at a writing conference. After getting her feedback on that manuscript, I signed up for a history writing workshop with her (one of those fabulous Highlights Foundation
Founders Workshops!). Before going, I received an assignment to research and begin writing about local history. I contacted my county’s history museum for some ideas, discovered the polio epidemic, and as a result,
BLUE was born.
I also have an affinity for the ‘40s. I think that’s because it is the era of my parent’s marriage and the establishment of our family so even though I wasn’t born in the 40’s I do feel rooted in them.
2. What were some of the challenges you encountered when researching and/or writing about a time period that encompassed a World War, a polio epidemic, and racism?
I think my biggest challenge was getting past my own fear of the process. It takes a certain amount of courage to contact total strangers and probe into their painful life experiences. And at that point I didn’t have a strong book to put into people’s hands to demonstrate that I could actually write. I believed I could do it but I wasn’t sure they would have reason to bother with me. From researching BLUE, I learned that people are typically eager to share their experience and knowledge with anyone who will listen. I realized that my interest in their stories is validating for them. Since then, I have practiced probi
Awesome, awesome book. That being said, on with the review.
Ann Fay is finally home from the hospital, where she sat for months, fighting to stay alive as polio ravaged her body. She's about to return to school, behind all of her friends, and is upset, not quite understanding why this has happened to her. She's not only behind in school, but she has to walk with loud, clunky braces, definitely making her stand out, rather than blend in with her classmates. At the same time, her precious father is also fighting some inner demons, having returned from the war an emotionally damaged man, mixing up Ann Fay's own emotions something fierce.
When Ann Fay is given the chance to go to the Georgie Warm Springs Foundation, started by Franklin D. Roosevelt, to continue her therapy and hopefully relearn to walk without assistance, she goes, but not without huge reservations. She doesn't want to leave her family, feeling they need her more than she needs to walk. Once Ann arrives, she makes friends, starts to truly heal, and really makes progress in her walking. Unfortunately, when a friend from home shows up with bad news from her family, Ann knows she has to make a huge decision, to leave her beloved Warm Springs or to stay.
So... Comfort is the continuation of Blue, which I've never read, so I'm not able to tell you how much I liked this novel in comparison to the other. Going in, I was a little apprehensive of reading a book that most definitely had a prequel, however I really felt it completely stands along, with whatever backstory is necessary given throughout the plot, without leaving the reader with the feeling that something is missing.
Author Joyce Moyer Hostetter's story is written in a manner that flows so well and really is comforting (like the title pun??) to return to. I spent a couple of days reading this one, not feeling the need to race through it to know what happens, but continually picked up when wanting something lovely and warm-feeling to read. One of my favorites of the year!
Safe to hand to middle graders or young adults.
Notes on the cover:
Yuck. Not a fan at all. My husband's words, when asked what he thought of it was "it looks like a school book on a dusty shelf in the school library." In other words, boring. Not interesting. Not intriguing to pick up at all. Honestly, probably wouldn't have grabbed it at the library unless it was a Cybils read. A classic case of "don't judge a book by its cover."
Hostetter also wrote Healing Water, which I loooooved last year.
Comfort
Joyce Moyer Hostetter
306 pages
Young Adult Fiction
Calkins Creek Books
9781590786062
March 2009
Book borrowed from the local library
To learn more or to purchase, click on the book cover above to link to Amazon. I am an Affiliate and will receive a small commission from your purchase.
I met Joyce at a Highlights Founders' Workshop in March of this year. As soon as I returned, I read her book Blue and thoroughly enjoyed it (see post). Be sure to read it's Sequel Comfort. I plan too :-)
Through online conversations, I knew she was thinking about updating her website and offered to help. I don't code (develop), but I can offer design. We wanted to make it seem like
her—choosing symbolic imagery from her work, capitalizing on things in her life that are important, and giving her readers a rich, visual impression. (
Visit Joyce's Website)
Also, she's giving away
free books, so you better log in!
By: Kirsty,
on 10/9/2007
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By Kirsty OUP-UK
The UK news reports have recently been dominated by stories of two infectious diseases that have been attacking farm animals: Foot and Mouth Disease, and the bluetongue virus. OUP author Dorothy Crawford is Professor of Medical Microbiology and Assistant Principal for the Public Understanding of Medicine at the University of Edinburgh, and is the author of many publications on viruses. Her new book, Deadly Companions: How Microbes Shaped Our History, looks at how human history is inextricably linked with the history of microbes and the spread of infection and disease. Here she turns her attentions to our animal friends, and looks at how to deal with the spread of disease in British livestock.
As the wettest summer on record comes to a close Britain is in the throws of not just one but two infectious disease outbreaks. (more…)
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How fascinating! A master historical novelist giving an inside look at her research process! So much you have collected, so many tidbits and images and memories for your characters, I am sure it doesn’t even matter whether all of it ends up in your story, or not. All I can tell is, this is going to be one amazing story, which I cannot wait to read!
Katia Raina
What a great piece by Joyce! Thanks for sharing this, Emily. I’m a writer friend of Joyce’s who is aware of her work-in-progress. This makes me all the more eager for the completed book in my hands! I also have a pastor friend who served in Halle; he’ll be excited about this, too.
Thanks Katia for the vote of confidence! Great to have you stop in here.
Hello, I am one of Peggy Reiff Miller’s pastors here in Goshen IN. I believe that the picture you have of the tree is that of a “horse chestnut tree”. I also recognized the Weavers that were in your picture of people you met in Halle. They were part of our church planting team. What memories this brings back. If you have other questions, my wife and I would love to chat, per email, phone etc.
Peggy, so great to have you drop by! And ST, I imagine that I will have questions along the way. (I hope you speak German!) Thanks for the tree name. Very helpful.
The Weavers hosted us at Soli Deo and we made some great friends there. We loved Halle and miss it so much. Feel free to email me @ moyergirl at charter dot net so that I can have your email address.
Wonderful! This is how I felt in Chicago, although I didn’t travel nearly as far as you for that trip! But that feeling of so much to see, so little time, and knowing that a return trip would be needed. Oh, darn, right?!
Yes, Becky – oh darn – gotta go back! Saving those pennies.
Here’s hoping you get that return trip to the Windy City and your story’s roots. Soon!
Emily, thanks for hosting Joyce on your blog and allowing us to hear about her research trip. I always find it exciting to hear and learn about other cultures and their customs.
So glad you enjoyed it!
Nice to “meet” you Peggy, and thanks for dropping by. Yes, it will be exciting to see the finished piece!
Glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for stopping by. I find it fascinating too. I’ve never written historical stuff, and so far my research has been minimal, so I loved getting a window into Joyce’s world.
Thanks for stopping by. A friend here confirms the tree name. Thanks!
Glad you enjoyed it! I did, too. What a fun window into Joyce’s world.