{"id":1375,"date":"2023-05-01T17:58:25","date_gmt":"2023-05-01T17:58:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www2.scholastic.ca\/scholasticblog\/?p=1375"},"modified":"2023-05-01T17:58:26","modified_gmt":"2023-05-01T17:58:26","slug":"exclusive-chat-with-scholastic-canada-biography-author-elizabeth-macleod","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www2.scholastic.ca\/scholasticblog\/2023\/05\/01\/exclusive-chat-with-scholastic-canada-biography-author-elizabeth-macleod\/","title":{"rendered":"Exclusive Chat with ‘Scholastic Canada Biography’ Author Elizabeth MacLeod"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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What inspired you to write Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buffy is often in the news and I thought kids should know more about this amazing Canadian and all that she has accomplished. Also, the second book in this series is Meet Tom Longboat,<\/em> an incredible Indigenous marathon runner, but until now, he\u2019s the only Indigenous person we\u2019ve profiled. I felt it was time not only to include another Indigenous person in the series, but also to write about an Indigenous woman. Buffy was the first person who came to my mind. My editor agreed! (By the way, Erin, my fabulous editor, and I went to hear Buffy performing live and had a great time. Buffy is amazing in concert!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What did you enjoy most about writing Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie<\/em>? What were some challenges that you faced while writing?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I think what I most enjoyed about writing about Buffy was having a good excuse to re-listen to many of her songs. I also loved watching the clips of her on Sesame Street<\/em> and seeing how she interacted with all those characters we know so well. Buffy has achieved so much in her life and I loved the idea of sharing her story with kids.<\/p>\n\n\n

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All of the books in this series are read by an expert before they\u2019re published. The hardest part about writing this book was knowing that Buffy would be the expert reviewing the book before publication. Would she like what I said about her? How would she feel about the book? Would she like what I had her saying in the speech balloons? I was really nervous. So I was very relieved to hear that Buffy was pleased with both the writing and the great illustrations by Mike Deas.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Another great thing about writing about Buffy was that I actually got to talk to her. What a treat! I was told by her staff that I could only speak to her for 30 minutes but at the end of that time Buffy asked if I had more time to talk. Of course I said yes!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buffy and I had a great conversation. We\u2019re both cat lovers so we had lots to chat about.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What do you hope your readers will take away from Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie<\/em>?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I hope this book will encourage kids to listen to Buffy\u2019s music, find out more about some of the Indigenous programs she\u2019s created and learn about other great First Nations, Inuit and M\u00e9tis people. Buffy has overcome a lot of obstacles and has incredible determination so I hope her story will inspire readers to be strong and do what they can to make the world a better place.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What\u2019s next for you?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The next two books in the series are Meet Clara Hughes<\/em> and Meet Jim Egan. <\/em>Clara is an Olympic-medal winner in both speed skating and cycling. She\u2019s the only athlete in the world \u2014 in the world! \u2014 to have won more than one medal at both the summer and winter Olympic games. Clara has an inspiring story and now works to make people more aware of the importance of mental health.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jim was a gay rights activist. In researching his story, I realized how little information kids today likely know about the discrimination gay people have faced. I\u2019m glad to have a chance to make them aware of it and introduce them to another brave Canadian.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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For Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie<\/em> and all of your Scholastic Canada Biography titles, you do incredible amounts of research to make sure your books are as accurate as possible. Can you describe your research process for us? Where do you even start?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Researching is my favourite part of writing any book \u2014 I think most nonfiction authors would agree. I\u2019m always looking for that amazing fact that will astound kids and capture their imaginations. I read as many books as I can find, check lots of websites, read magazines and newspapers and talk to experts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For Meet Buffy Sainte-Marie,<\/em> an important book for my research was a biography of her that was published recently. Buffy was very involved in the writing of the book so I knew I could rely on the facts in it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As soon as I know who will be the subject of my next book I hit the internet and start researching. I buy books, put holds on books at the library (I use my local library a lot!) and start thinking about what to include in my book. The first thing I write is the timeline at the back of the book. That way, when I plan out the rest of the book, I can refer to the timeline to get a sense of how many events I need to include in the book and make sure I\u2019ve got everything in the right order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Why do you think it\u2019s important for kids to learn about Buffy Sainte-Marie and her life story?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I\u2019m so proud to be Canadian and I love sharing the stories of amazing Canadians with readers. I think it\u2019s really important that kids know these stories because they provide inspiration and encouragement. I hope I can help kids become as proud of our country as I am.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The prejudice Buffy experienced especially when she was younger is incredible. But not only did she never give up, she also set up programs so other Indigenous people, especially kids, wouldn\u2019t have to face the same discrimination that she has. It\u2019s important that all kids \u2014 Indigenous and non-Indigenous \u2014 know about Indigenous rights so Canada can move forward in a healthier, fairer way.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Buffy is a very generous, giving, inclusive person. She\u2019s such a great example to kids and adults.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What is your favourite of Buffy Sainte-Marie\u2019s songs and why?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cUntil It\u2019s Time for You to Go\u201d and \u201cUp Where We Belong\u201d are two beautiful love songs that Buffy wrote and sang. And her song \u201cUniversal Soldier\u201d gives you a lot to think about. These are all great classic songs by Buffy. But I think my favourite song by her is a more modern one \u2014 \u201cYou Got to Run (Spirit of the Wind),\u201d especially when she performs it with Inuit artist Tanya Tagaq. It always makes me want to get up and move and I love how the two women sound together. Give it a listen!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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