Interview With LINDA SKEERS on Writing Biographies

By Christine Liu-Perkins

​Linda Skeers writes about fascinating people. Her WOMEN WHO DARED: 52 STORIES OF FEARLESS DAREDEVILS, ADVENTURERS & REBELS, illustrated by Livi Gosling (Sourcebooks, 2017), was chosen for the NCSS Notable Social Studies Trade Books for Young People list. Her latest book, DINOSAUR LADY: THE DARING DISCOVERIES OF MARY ANNING, THE FIRST PALEONTOLOGIST, illustrated by Marta Álvarez Miguéns (Sourcebooks, 2020) is on the list of NSTA Outstanding Trade Science Books for Students K-12 and was also longlisted for the AAAS/Subaru Children's Science Picture Book Award.
 
I asked Linda for advice on writing biographies for children. Here's what she generously shared:
 
Q: What makes someone a good subject for a children's biography?
LS: I think people with unique talents, skills or accomplishments make good subjects — especially if readers can connect with them on some level. Maybe they share a feeling (curiosity, determination, fear, loneliness, ambition…) or an interest in the same subject (dinosaurs, space, fashion, art, animals…) Hopefully the subject of a biography will fascinate readers, and they’ll want to learn more about the person, what they did, and why and how they did it.  And maybe it will inspire them to follow their own passion!
 
Q: How did you identify Mary Anning's defining personality trait?
 LS: I had trouble narrowing down the traits I admired about Mary Anning to just a few! I chose to focus on her insatiable curiosity and determination to learn everything she could about the world around her no matter what obstacles she faced. For example – she wanted to read scientific textbooks, but they were written in French. No problem! She just taught herself to read French! After discovering a fossilized head of a creature never seen before, she searched for an entire YEAR for its body!
 
Q: How do you decide what traits will connect with kids?
 LS: Think like a kid! I always look for things that surprise me or make me go WOW when I’m researching.
 
 Q: Any tips on openings for a biography?
 LS: I try to open with a scene showing readers what the person is like – I want them to say, “She’s awesome!” or “I’d like to hang out with her!”
 
Q: Any tips on openings for a biography?
LS: I try to open with a scene showing readers what the person is like – I want them to say, “She’s awesome!” or “I’d like to hang out with her!”
 
Q: Any tips on endings for a biography?
 LS: For endings I like to highlight their accomplishments and legacy. My hope is to jumpstart readers' interest in a person or subject that may be new to them. And make them want to grab another book and keep reading!

---