authors

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    Straight from the Source: Angela Pham Krans on Writing Historical Fiction

    ByCaroline

    What typically comes first for you: a character? An era? A story idea? How do you proceed from there?

    It could be any or all those elements at the same time! Sometimes, it’s even a line that I can’t get out of my head. I have a notebook where I capture story ideas for future treasure hunting. If I don’t have my notebook around, I jot ideas down on my iPhone. When I’m ready to start a new story, I sift through my list of characters or ideas to see which ones pop out. I like to combine ideas or take a specific character and combine it with a plot idea I had years ago. It’s a fun exercise!

    For Finding Papa, it was a character that drove the storytelling. At the time I wrote the first draft, I could not find many books about the Vietnamese immigrant experience from a young child’s perspective, which was the perspective I wanted to capture. Because I had immigrated to the United States like many of the “Boat People” before and after me, I decided that my main character’s journey would closely reflect my own. It was a way to honor my past and share a story that is relevant to current events. Once I determined the main character and her voice, I started researching facts to develop her story.

    How do you conduct your research? 

    Because Finding Papa was inspired by my own journey to America to find my father, I thought what better way to conduct research than to interview my parents! I was a toddler when we immigrated, so I relied heavily on my parents for the facts. They shared their story, each adding elements the other had forgotten or was not present to witness or experience.

    After the interview, I went online to read articles about the Boat People and what others experienced on their journey – there were specifics about the ships and the people who picked up refugees from the middle of the ocean and the refugee camps who took them in.

    For other non-fiction or informational fiction stories I’ve written, and depending on the subject, I read books, checked online articles, watched documentaries, or reached out to the organization itself for an interview (e.g., A Wildlife Rescue & Educational Center in Texas).

    Do you have a specific system for collecting data? 

    I don’t have a set system, but I’ll usually start a Word document or Excel sheet where I collect the information. I save everything on Microsoft OneDrive so I can access it wherever I’m writing outside the home office.

    I also try to start a Bibliography to capture all my sources. It’s easier to capture this information as I go rather than wait until the end because sometimes, I’ll forget where I’ve read something. My memory isn’t as great as it used to be!

    At what point do you feel comfortable beginning to draft? How does your research continue once you begin writing?

    I start writing whenever I get excited and can’t help but to write! I know the story is unbaked at this point and sometimes I haven’t gathered all the facts yet, but I believe the story will start to unfold once I put pen to paper – or fingers to keyboard! I believe in the power of movement and “doing” so I just start when I get excited. 

    My research continues of course, especially when I run into specific scenes or nuances of the story that I’m still unsure about. There are times I’ve realized I hadn’t dug deep enough into a topic, so I have to go back to my sources, i.e., my parents, for clarification. What they were unsure about, I would conduct additional research elsewhere. If there was insufficient information, then I had to decide whether to exclude or include those scenes in the story.

    What is your favorite thing about research?

    My favorite thing is finding unexpected and interesting facts! Some of those facts may not end up in the story, but knowing interesting truths (joyful or sad) is rewarding and enhances the overall research experience. I love the process of discovering – it’s like following a trail of breadcrumbs until you see the overall picture.

    What’s your least favorite thing about research?

    Having so much information and data that I don’t know which to include and get totally bogged down with analysis paralysis! 

    What are some obstacles writing historical fiction brings?

    The biggest obstacle for me is knowing which interesting facts to include and how to weave that information with my imagination to create a story that is engaging and emotionally resonant. With picture books, text space is limited so it’s even more critical to select the right mix of information and imaginary to tell your story.

    Why is historical fiction important?

    I think historical fiction is a lovely way to bring facts to life through storytelling. History focuses on facts and evidence, and while that can be interesting and compelling, historical fiction adds a layer of imagination and emotion that can fill in gaps and can transport the reader into another world. It’s also a digestible way to learn and spark curiosity in readers. Who here hasn’t Googled historical events or figures after reading or watching a movie that was inspired by true events to learn/discern what was fact vs. fiction? 

    Angela Pham Krans is the award-winning author of FINDING PAPA, which received ALA’s Asian/Pacific American Honor Award for Literature. Her other titles include WORDS BETWEEN US and ANOTHER WORD FOR NEIGHBOR (HarperCollins). Angela enjoys writing humorous and heartfelt stories that highlight relationships between family, friends, and community. She hopes her stories broaden knowledge, expand perspectives, and encourage empathy from readers of all ages. When Angela isn’t writing, she enjoys traveling, trying new recipes, and spending time with family. Angela lives in Atlanta with her husband, Hamilton, and their rambunctious dog, Archer. You can connect with her at angelakrans.com.

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    Classroom Connections: Where They Gather by Teresa Rodrigues

    ByCaroline

    An uplifting story of family triumph amid turmoil.
    — Horn Book

    Allows readers to see themselves, and their own ancestors, in the characters.
    — Kirkus

    A powerful and inspiring story of Black endurance across generations, perfect for fans of Nikki Giovanni.
    — Booklist

    Teresa Rodrigues’s website

    Please tell us about your book.

    WHERE THEY GATHER is a lyrical story that spans more than a century, and tells the story of a resilient Black family through the lens of a pecan tree growing alongside each new generation, mirroring the strength and celebration of the family through changing seasons and time.

    What inspired you to write this story?

    WHERE THEY GATHER is inspired by my family and the gatherings we held under the pecan tree in my grandmother’s yard in Alabama.

    Could you share with readers how you conducted your research and / or share a few interesting tidbits about your writing process with this book?

    This story began with an old photograph taken in front of my grandmother’s yard in the 1950’s. The tree wasn’t there, so I searched through the rest of my grandmother’s photos (which I’m lucky to have), hoping to find a clue of when it was planted. Sadly, I couldn’t find anything, so I began to imagine an origin story on my own, which became WHERE THEY GATHER.

    In addition to searching through boxes of old photos, I researched when key moments in Civil Rights history occurred, such as the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation and the Selma Marches, to make sure they matched the story’s seasonal timeline.

    What are some special challenges you faced in writing this book?

    Because I never discovered when the tree was planted and the story behind it, I had to come up with my own. The challenge was creating a story that could have happened – one that not only felt authentic, but also honored the emotional truth of the South and my family’s history.

    What topics does your book touch upon that would make it a perfect fit for the classroom?

    WHERE THEY GATHER is Ideal for family and classroom discussions on:
    Black history units
    SEL discussions
    Intergenerational storytelling
    Family history and traditions
    Resilience
    Community and belonging
    Poetry, rhyme, and lyrical language
    STEM connections: seasonal changes and the life cycle of a tree

    I’m especially honored that WHERE THEY GATHER is part of collection at the Obama Presidential Center Branch Library in Chicago.

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    It’s time! Get ready! Author visits for 2026-2027

    ByCaroline

    School visits are one of my greatest joys. So much of the writing life is a solitary activity, and it is beyond wonderful to connect with young readers, to interact with the kids I do this book writing for. A number of you who read here are teachers, librarians, or parents engaged in your children’s education. With that in mind, I want to share with you information on the visits I offer — in-person and virtual — and, if you’re interested, how you might arrange a visit for your school, library, or homeschool co-op this year. Read on!

    I offer a variety of presentations for grades K-8. Some tie in with specific books. Others focus on everything from the writing process, creating characters, and exploring poetry, to history, ecology, and geography. A typical visit includes three separate presentations, a lunch with students that teachers or librarians have selected beforehand, and the opportunity to purchase personalized books through a local bookstore. (These books will be available for distribution the day of the visit.) Schools can pick one presentation to be repeated three times or choose a variety of presentations — for example, one for K-1, another for 2-3, and a third for 4-5. Click through to see which presentations might best suit your community. Almost all presentations can be adapted for Zoom or Google Meet. 

    Why invite an author to your school?

    A survey on author visits* revealed some amazing statistics:

    • 91% of those who responded said author visits “motivate[d] students to read more”
    • 74% felt visits inspired “creativity and expression”
    • 68% believed visits “motivate[d] students to write more”

    * 2014 Author Visit Survey by Alexis O’Neill. Over 600 respondents in thirty-nine states and eight countries.

    The UK’s National Literacy Trust reported in June 2019 that students who had authors visit their schools:

    • “Were twice as likely to read above their expected level for their age”
    • “Were more likely to enjoy reading and writing”
    • “Were more likely to be highly confident in their reading”

    I’d like you to visit, but how much does it cost? And how do I schedule a visit?

    I work with booking agent Julie Ann Hartman (julieann@thebookingbiz.com) of the Booking Biz (https://thebookingbiz.com/client/caroline-starr-rose/). Feel free to click through to my Booking Biz page or reach out of Julie Ann directly to learn more.

    What if my school isn’t in New Mexico?

    No matter! I am happy to travel. We can also meet virtually.

    Any creative tips on funding an author visit?

    Sometimes PTAs pay to bring an author in. I’ve had schools use money set aside for field trips (viewing an author visit as a field trip that comes to the school). Consider using funds earmarked for literacy programs. Apply for any number of grants that cover author visits. Or think of creative ways your school might raise money to fund a visit.

    Here’s to a year of reading and writing and learning. May it be the best yet!