Writing Fact Like Fiction in Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books
with Award-Winning Author Nancy Churnin
Stories from real life. Inspiration for a writer's life.
As a longtime journalist, Nancy Churnin learned to stick to the facts. As a children's book author who specializes in nonfiction, she still sticks to the facts, but with a difference. Journalists write from the outside in, being careful to keep a distance from their subjects. As a children's book author, Nancy has learned that she has to identify with her subject in order for the story to come alive for young readers.
In Writing Fact Like Fiction in Narrative Nonfiction Picture Books, Nancy will reference her books and others as she shares some of the tools and techniques she uses, including:
- The Venn Diagram: how it can help you find the place in your heart where you and your subject intersect.
- The Hero's Journey as articulated by Joseph Campbell: how it can help you find your main character's journey and yours.
- Finding the Mythological Heart of Your Story: Just as fiction writers create stories of the imagination that read like fact, your fact can read like fiction if you connect it with enduring themes and structure.
While Nancy shows how to use these tools and techniques in nonfiction, her passion for writing and her inspiration transcends genres. Every picture book writer will be inspired by this presentation.
This webinar purchase includes lifetime access to the 80-minute video, transcript, and downloadable audio track.
"It's truly one of the most inspiring
webinars I've ever seen... it is PURE GOLD. I'll also note that I don't write
biographies (never even thought of dabbling in them), but Nancy managed to
craft her presentation for any writer (and truly any creative). It's fantastic!
"
-
Kirsten Walgren Tulsian
"This was truly an amazing presentation, but it was the
reaching out to each of us as a human, a person. All the way through it felt
like Nancy spoke to me. And based on the comments, I’m not alone in feeling
that way."
- Katherine LeRoy
Your Instructor
NANCY CHURNIN is an award-winning children’s book author who writes books about people who have made the world a better place and inspire children to be heroes and heroines, too. She won the 2021 National Jewish Book Award and 2022 Sydney Taylor Honor for Dear Mr. Dickens, a true story that is the subject of an educational program offered by The Charles Dickens Museum in London, and two Sydney Taylor Notables, for her 2021 A Queen to the Rescue, the Story of Henrietta Szold Founder of Hadassah and 2018 Irving Berlin, the Immigrant Boy Who Made America Sing. Born and raised in New York City, Nancy lives in the Dallas area. Among her other book honors: National Federation of Press Women First Place Award; Texas Federation of Press Women First Place Award; the South Asia Book Award; Sakura Medal finalist; Books for a Global Society Notable; two Junior Library Guild selections; multiple Social Studies Notable Trade books for Young People; multiple Kids Choice Awards finalists; multiple Silver Eureka Award-winners; multiple Bank Street College Best Children’s Book List books; multiple A Mighty Girl books; 10 books featured on socialjusticebooks and starred reviews from School Library Journal, Kirkus Reviews and Publishers Weekly. All her books come with free teacher guides, resources and projects on her website, nancychurnin.com
Course Curriculum
Frequently Asked Questions
"Thank you Nancy for your passion for making a powerful
difference in the world. Inspiring children to do so also."
- Kathleen Marcath