Speak Their Truth
Conveying the Voice of Picture Book Biography Subjects
When writing picture book biographies, how do you balance the authentic voice of your subject with your authorial voice? How much artistic license is acceptable when writing about a person from the past, and how can sources help capture the voice? Renowned picture book author Lesa Cline-Ransome will answer these questions and more. Lesa has received NAACP Awards, Kirkus Best Books and Coretta Scott King awards for her books including FINDING LANGSTON, BEFORE SHE WAS HARRIET, GAME CHANGERS: THE STORY OF VENUS AND SERENA, OVERGROUND RAILROAD, and THE POWER OF HER PEN: THE STORY OF GROUNDBREAKING JOURNALIST ETHEL L. PAYNE.
This keynote presentation contains a 60-minute
video and transcript where Lesa gives actionable tips for finding the voice of your subject.
"Lesa taught me what I needed to know to write my nonfiction historical
biography. I used her strategy to research around the subject and I did
hear their voice. I'm excited to submit my first nonfiction PB." - Debra P.
"I appreciate the depth of Lesa's introspect
into voice and the questions that a writer should ask before defining
their character's inner workings. Lesa mesmerized me with her questions,
diligence, and examples. I feel better equipped to work on my
nonfiction titles." - Charlotte D.
"Lesa
Cline-Ransome's knowledge, skill, and passion demonstrated to me that I
could also be successful in writing books on areas I am passionate
about. Her ability to show us how to take a subject and incorporate
voice to produce an exciting, compelling manuscript was so insightful
and provided inspiration. She made me think that I too can do this." - Diane M.
Your Instructor
Lesa Cline-Ransome’s first book was the biography Satchel Paige, an ALA Notable Book and a Bank Street College “Best Children’s Book of the Year.” She later created Major Taylor: Champion Cyclist, Young Pele,Words Set Me Free,Light in the Darkness, Benny Goodman and Teddy Wilson, Light in the Darkness,Freedom’s School, My Story, My Dance, Just a Lucky So and So:The Story of Louis Armstrong and Germs:Fact and Fiction, Friends and Foes and Game Changers:The Story of Venus and Serena Williams. Her verse biography of Harriet Tubman, Before She Was Harriet received five starred reviews, was nominated for an NAACP image award, and received a Coretta Scott King Honor for Illustration. Her debut middle grade novel, Finding Langston, was the 2019 winner of the Scott O’Dell Award for Historical Fiction and received the Coretta Scott King Award Author Honor. The sequel, Leaving Lymon released in Spring 2020.
Lesa’s books have received numerous honors and awards including NAACP Awards, Kirkus Best Books, ALA Notable, CBC Choice Awards, two Top 10 Sports Books for Youth, and an Orbis Pictus Recommended Book. She lives in the Hudson Valley region of New York with her husband, and frequent collaborator, James Ransome and their family. Visit her at www.lesaclineransome.com.
Course Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
"Lesa Cline-Ransome's breakdown of WHEN--and WHY--to write in 1st vs. 3rd person was a revelation. She referenced every POV-related comment she made with extensive picture book examples. She dissected the voice in "Before She Was Harriet." At the end of her discussion, I'd learned how to create characters with mass market appeal that are unique, inspiring, and interesting." - Cara F.