What is something in Ben Mikaelsens childhood that inspired him to become an author?

Ben Mikaelsen
Award-Winning Author

Today, I will be interviewing Ben Mikaelsen, the award-winning author of the recently published children'due south affiliate book (ages 8-12), Jungle of Basic. Ben is an accomplished author who has published TEN children'southward books and has written numerous magazine articles. Ben will be telling u.s. about his life, sharing background data nearly his book, Jungle of Bones, and offering a few writing tips.

I received a complimentary copy of this volume prior to this interview. Commenters to this blog volition be eligible for a volume giveaway.

Welcome Ben.

Your youth was spent in South America. Was growing upward in Southward America any different from a childhood spent in the United states of america? Do any of your story ideas come up from your early experiences?

VERY MUCH SO. BY THE Fourth dimension I WAS TEN YEARS OLD, I HAD BEEN THROUGH THREE REVOLUTIONS AND HAD A Human SHOT TO Death BESIDE ME ON A STREET CORNER. I WAS NEVER SENT TO School OR Abode SCHOOLED UNTIL I WAS NINE YEARS One-time. AT THAT Historic period I COULDN'T READ OR WRITE AND WAS BILINGUAL STRUGGLING WITH English. MY Early STRUGGLES TO "FIT IN" WERE SO DIFFICULT, I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN THE STRUGGLE. I THINK THAT IS WHY I WRITE MIDDLE GRADE NOVELS. THAT WAS THE MOST IMPRESSIONABLE Fourth dimension OF MY LIFE.

Spanish is your main language. When did y'all learn English language and how long did it take for you to master a second language? Did yous come across whatever notable challenges when yous were learning English language?

I WAS RAISED BILINGUAL, AND Considering OF MY LACK OF EDUCATION, I STRUGGLED WITH BOTH LANGUAGES. ENGLISH, Yet, WAS THE I THAT I STRUGGLED WITH THE MOST WHEN I WAS SENT Abroad TO AN English language BOARDING School AND WHEN MY PARENTS MOVED TO THE U.s.a. AND I WAS Inbound 7TH Class.

Relocating to a foreign country can exist a stressful experience. Did your acclimation procedure affect your personality and the stories that you eventually wrote?

WHEN I FIRST STARTED 7th GRADE Hither IN THE United states, I WANTED And so Badly TO FIT IN. THE Kickoff Day OF Schoolhouse I WORE THE All-time Apparel I HAD WHICH WAS MY SCHOOL UNIFORM FROM BOLIVIAN BOARDING School. THIS WAS SADDLE SHOES WITH BOBBY SOCKS WITH Cherry TASSLES ON THE SIDE. MY LEATHER KNICKER SHORTS WERE And then Baggy I WORE SUSPENDERS AND TO TOP IT ALL OFF I ALSO WORE A BOW TIE. THE GAMES I PLAYED WERE DIFFERENT. I SPOKE DIFFERENTLY. BUT ALL OF THIS Made ME FIERCELY INDEPENDENT. I LEARNED AT A YOUNG Historic period TO Exist PROUD OF MY DIFFERENCES. THIS IS A LESSON I HAVE NEVER FORGOTTEN.

Decades agone, y'all started publishing children'southward books. What prompted this career path and why did you choose to target a children's audience?

EVERYBODY LOVES TO EXPRESS THEMSELVES. SOME WITH PAINTING, SOME WITH MUSIC. SOME WITH DANCE. I LEARNED EARLY I HAD A GIFT FOR WRITING.

How practise you select topics for your books?

I DON'T Wait FOR TOPICS. I Wait FOR EMOTIONS. IF I FIND SOMETHING THAT EMOTIONALLY STEAMROLLS ME, And then I LOOK FOR A WAY TO TIE A STORY AROUND THAT EMOTION.

Ben Mikaelsen and his bear, Buffy

When people talk about their pets, they ordinarily refer to a cat, domestic dog or maybe a bird. Yous have an unusual pet, a 700-pound black comport. Why did yous choose a carry? Has this unique relationship influenced your writing?

1 OF THE Showtime SHOWS I EVER WATCHED ON Idiot box WHEN I MOVED TO THE U.s. WAS GENTLE BEN. LATER WHILE ATTENDING COLLEGE, I VOLUNTEERED TIME STUDYING BEARS. After, AFTER GRADUATING AND MOVING TO MONTANA, I HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO RAISE A LITTLE RESEARCH Bear THAT HAD ITS FRONT CLAWS REMOVED. THIS WAS SOMETHING THAT WOULD LAST Well-nigh 27 YEARS AND WAS A HUGE INFLUANCE IN THE WRITING OF SEVERAL OF MY NOVELS, INCLUDING RESCUE JOSH MCGUIRE, TOUCHING SPIRIT Deport AND GHOST OF SPIRIT BEAR.

Part of Jungles of Bones is set in Papua New Guinea. Did you have a specific reason for selecting this location? Was your background data gained from starting time-hand visits and/or secondary sources? How long did it take for you to obtain sufficient data nigh Papua New Republic of guinea?

PAPUA NEW GUINEA IS ONE OF THE To the lowest degree DEVELOPED PLACES ON THE PLANET Exterior OF THE ARTIC AND THE ANTARCTIC. AT FIRST I HAD PLANNED TO SPEND A FULL Month IN PNG. PNG IS A VERY DANGEROUS PLACE, ESPECIALLY THE CAPITOL PORT MORESBY. BECAUSE MY TRIP ALSO COINCIDED WITH THEIR ELECTIONS, I REALIZED I WAS GOING TO HAVE TO HIRE TWO FULL TIME GUARDS FOR THE FULL Month, PAYING THEIR WAY TO GO Upward INTO THE SEPIK REGION OF PNG. A Ten K DOLLAR RESEARCH TRIP WAS BECOMING A FORTY THOUSAND DOLLAR TRIP. AS A Effect I DID ALL OF MY Inquiry 2nd HAND. THIS WASN'T Piece of cake, BUT WHEN I FINISHED, I HAD I OF THE TOP NATIVE GUIDES FROM THE SEPEK REGION READ THE MANUSCRIPT. WITH ONLY A FEW Minor CORRECTIONS, HE WAS OVERWHELMINGLY COMPLIMENTARY, Non BELIEVING I HAD NEVER Actually TRAVELED In that location. THIS WAS A GREAT COMPLIMENT.

One of the sub plots revolves around a missing World War Ii B-17 bomber. Practise you have a personal connexion with this role of history? What resource did you use to research World War II facts?

I AM A Airplane pilot AND HAVE ALWAYS BEEN A State of war Buff. EVERY Yr FOR Near Twenty-FIVE YEARS, I HAVE FLOWN MY Ain PLANE OUT TO OSHKOSH, WISCONSIN FOR THE BIG EAA AIRSHOW EACH Summertime. State of war BIRDS IS A BIG Function OF THEIR Bear witness. AS SUCH, I Have Ever HAD A FACINATION WITH THE BOMBERS AND THE Brave CREWS THAT FLEW THEM. BECAUSE THE CREWS WERE MOSTLY Immature MENT IN THEIR LATE TEENS AND Early TWENTYS Dorsum IN THE EARLY 1940S, THOSE Crew MEMBERS ARE NOW IN THEIR Early on TO MID NINETYS. I REALIZED WHEN I WAS CONDUCTING ALL OF MY MANY INTERVIEWS THAT Fifty-fifty FIVE YEARS FROM NOW, Live INTERVIEWS WOULD NEVER AGAIN Be POSSIBLE.

Characters either brand or intermission a story. Your main character, Dylan, has numerous personality flaws. What steps did yous have to ensure that readers could connect with his beliefs and non be turned off by his reckless disregard for others?

I BELIEVE THAT EVERY YOUNGSTER CARRIES ANGER AND RESENTMENT TO Say-so. I Likewise BELIEVE THAT EVERY Child FEELS THAT NOBODY ON THE PLANET HAS E'er BEEN AS MISUNDERSTOOD AND MALIGNED AS THEM. THESE ARE UNIVERSAL FEELINGS. EVERY Kid AT SOME TIME HAS INTERTAINED THE Thought OF RUNNING AWAY AND Continuing Upward TO AUTHORITY. MY STORIES Permit THE READER Feel THESE EXPERIENCES AND Feel THE CONSEQUENCES OF THESE Deportment WITHOUT Really COMMITTING THE ACTS. I ALSO WANT READERS TO SEE HOW AN ANGRY AND REBELLIOUS Graphic symbol Tin Really BE A VERY Expert PERSON IN THE Terminate. IT LEAVES ALL OF U.s.a. WITH HOPE.

Creating credible adult characters in youth fiction tin be equally as challenging. What methods did you use to create believable interactions between Dylan and the adults in his life?

I Thought QUITE A BIT ON THIS Earlier ANSWERING. I DIDN'T HAVE TO GO FAR. ALL I HAD TO DO WAS HARKEN BACK TO MY OWN MEMORIES AND CHILDHOOD AND THE IMPRESSIONS AND MISCONCEPTIONS I HAD OF ADULTS. TO THIS DAY, I AM Withal A Fleck OF A LONER AND A Non-CONFORMEST. I DON'T Take TO Become VERY FAR TO Discover THE FEAR, THE ANGST, THE TRUE GRIT AND SUBSTANCE IN MY CHARACTERS.

Do you accept any special message(south) that you are trying to convey to your audience of upper elementary and centre school readers?

I TRY NOT TO SEND MESSAGES. WHAT I Exercise Similar DOING IS DEALING WITH VERY REAL AND TOUCHY SUBJECTS, LEAVING THE READER NOT WITH ANSWERS Simply WITH A MULTITUDE OF QUESTIONS. I FEEL THAT IS THE GREATEST GIFT I Can GIVE A YOUNG READER IS TO Brand THEM THINK.

Many consider writing a labor of beloved. How long does information technology usually take for yous to write your first draft? Exercise you have any recommendations for the rewrite/editing procedure?

I WOULD LOVE TO SAY EACH BOOK TAKES ME A YEAR, BUT THAT IS WISHFUL THINKING. WHEN ALL IS SAID AND DONE WITH Research, Rough DRAFTING, A DOZEN THUROUGH REWRITES, AND And then EDITING WITH THE PUBLISHER, MY BOOKS E'er Take CLOSER TO TWO YEARS. MY ADVICE TO A Immature WRITER IS TO Recall OF YOURSELF AS A 1 OF A KIND TEN MILLION DOLLAR Reckoner. YOUR PROGRAMING IS Meliorate THAN ANYTHING DEVELOPED Past MICROSOFT IN TOP Undercover FOR Some other 10 Million. YOUR SOFTWARE IS YOUR UNIQUE EXPERIENCES IN LIFE, YOUR ONE OF A KIND IMAGINATION, AND YOUR ABILITY TO GATHER Data IN UNIQUE WAYS–YOUR RESEARCH. I As well WANT YOUNG WRITERS TO REALIZE Nosotros ARE THE COOLEST PEOPLE ON THE PLANET. We ABSOLUTLY DON'T Make MISTAKES. ALL Nosotros Do IS Make THINGS Ameliorate. WHEN Nosotros REALIZE HOW SPECIAL EACH OF U.s.a. Tin BE. AND And so Go RID OF THE NEGATIVITY THAT IS Then PERVASIVE IN OUR EDUCATIONAL Organisation, WE ARE OFF TO THE RACES CREATING OUR Ain UNIQUE AND SPECIAL STORIES. I WANT SUDENTS TO ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT WRITING IS STORY TELLING. YOU Dear A Proficient HUNGER GAMES OR HARRY POTTER NOVEL, Not BECAUSE EVERY Discussion WAS SPELLED CORRECTLY, BUT Considering It HAD A Great STORY.

Maintaining children's attention is an art. Tin can you share 3 tips on how y'all keep immature readers engaged?

I WANT WHAT I WRITE TO RELATE TO THE READER. I Want IT TO EMOTIONALLY ENGAGE THE READER ON EVERY Folio. Final I Want THE Actions OF MY MAIN CHARACTERS TO ENCOURAGE THE READER TO FOLLOW THEIR OWN DREAMS AND DESIRES.

Jungle of Bones includes a strong intergenerational component. Can you explain why you opted to include this aspect? Did you apply actual relationships every bit a model?

MANY CHILDREN'S BOOKS Effort TO Get THE CHILD ALONE FOR THE STORY. THIS FOR ME IS NOT REALISTIC. THE BIGGEST STRUGGLES Whatever OF US GO THROUGH GROWING Upwardly IS DEALING WITH THE ADULTS IN OUR LIVES. I Honey EXPLORING THESE RELATIONSHIPS AND PERHAPS HAVING THE READER Come up OUT AT THE END OF THE Volume WITH SOME Expert AMUNITION ON HOW TO DEAL WITH THE ADULTS IN THEIR LIVES.

Several times you lot mention the aphorism, "Freedom is never free." Does this saying accept any personal or historical significance?

Considering I GREW UP Amongst REVOLUTIONS, AND I ALSO RAN A School IN Republic of guatemala FOR 3 YEARS, WHERE DEATH SQUADS CAME DURING THE Heart OF THE NIGHTS AND KILLED MANY OF THE VILLAGERS DURING THE EARLY 1980S, THE ADAGE "Liberty IS NEVER Costless," WAS A VERY PERSONAL Matter FOR ME.

Is there anything else that you would like to share with my readers?

I WANT TO SAY WHAT AN Accolade IT IS TO Take SOMEONE READ ONE OF MY BOOKS AFTER It IS PUBLISHED. I SPEND A LOT OF Time TALKING TO STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS. THAT IS Often WHERE MY NEXT IDEA COMES FROM. I ENCOURAGE STUDENTS TO E-Postal service ME AND LET ME KNOW HOW THEY LIKED ONE OF MY NOVELS. I Endeavor TO Reply EVERY Eastward-MAIL.

Thank you Ben for taking the time to respond my questions.

Check out Ben's Impressive Listing of Book Awards:

Rescue Josh McGuire 1991

• International Reading Clan Award
• Northward Dakota Flicker Tale Book Award
• Western Writers Golden Spur Award
• Nebraska Golden Sower Award
• California Young Reader Medal
• Wyoming Indian Paintbrush Book Honor

Sparrow Hawk Red 1993

• California Young Reader Medal

Stranded 1995

• Maryland Children'south Book Award

Petey 1998

• Western Writers Golden Spur Award
• ALA Notable Book

Touching Spirit Behave 2001

• Due north Dakota Flicker Tale Book Accolade
• Nautilus Honour For Young Adult Literature
• California Immature Reader Medal
• Nevada Young Reader Medal
• Wisconsin Gilt Archer Laurels
• Florida Sunshine State Honor
• Nebraska Aureate Sower Award
• Minnesota Maude Hart Lovelace Award
• Wyoming Soaring Eagle Award

Cerise MIDNIGHT2002

• Nevada Young Reader Medal
• IRA Notable Volume for a Global Society

TREE GIRL 2004

• IRA Teacher Choice List

I did not have space to include the lengthy listing of nominated awards.

Books Can Be Purchased On These Sites:

world wide web.benmikaelsen.com

Amazon.com

Barnes & Noble

Book Giveaway

Anyone who leaves a comment on this blog by Sunday, Apr 6 volition exist eligible for a book giveaway. The randomly selected winner will be sent an autographed copy of Jungle of Bones by the author

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Multicultural Picture Book- Benjamin of Tudela

Fourth dimension Traveling Back to the Dreyfus Affair

Sandra's Bio

Sandra Bornstein is the author of MAY THIS Exist THE BEST YEAR OF YOUR LIFE .It is bachelor on Amazon.  Sandra's memoir highlights her living and teaching gamble in Bangalore, India. She is a licensed Colorado instructor who has taught K-12 students in the United States and abroad too equally higher level courses. Sandra is married and has four adult sons. The memoir was a finalist in the Travel category for the 2013 Next Generation Indie Book Awards, the 2013 International Book Awards, the 2013 National Indie Book Excellence Awards, the 2013 USA Best Book Awards, and received an Honorable Mention award in the Multicultural Non-Fiction category for the 2013 Global ebook Awards.

whitearronly.blogspot.com

Source: https://sandrabornstein.com/q-ben-mikaelsen-award-winning-author/

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