'A dance for success'

“My inspiration for writing (was) all the wonderful books that I read as a child.   For those of us who write, when we find a wonderful book written by someone else, we don't really get jealous, we get inspired, and that's kind of the mark of what a good writer is.” –  Patricia MacLachlan

 

Born in Cheyenne, WY on this date in 1938, MacLachlan won the Newbery Medal her inspiring novel (and series of books) Sarah, Plain and Tall, also adapted into a “Hallmark Hall of Fame” television movie.

 

The author of some three dozen books, the last published in 2022 the year of her death, she was a longtime board member of the National Children's Book and Literacy Alliance and tireless spokesperson on behalf of literacy, literature, and libraries,

 

MacLachlan said growing up “on the prairie” shaped both who she was and how she learned to portray things.    And while her “Sarah” series earned her the most acclaim, her 2015 novel The Truth of Me also earned many awards.  That book is a celebration how unique "small truths" make each of us magical and brave in our own ways, and a wonderful example of her poetic and poignant style that won her legions of followers.

“I have great editors and I always have,” she modestly said of her writing success. “Somehow, great editors ask the right questions or pose things to you that get you to write better. It's a dance between you, your characters, and your editor.”