AUTHOR SPOTLIGHT

EVELYN ROTHSTEIN

On her Award Winning Title . . .
DAVE LEARNS SPANISH

AUTHOR'S NAME:  Evelyn Rothstein

TITLE OF LITERARY CLASSICS AWARD WINNING BOOK:  Dave Learns Spanish

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WRITING?
About 30 years.
 
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO BEGIN WRITING PROFESSIONALLY?
I was a very poor writer throughout my school years.  But many years later when I was a classroom teacher, I had no ideas about how to teach my students to write.  I was frustrated when I had the good fortune of attending a workshop given by two people.   Their message was simple:  You learn to write when you have TEACHERS who TEACH you to write, not ask you.  With this message, I began to learn teaching strategies that first benefited me, then eventually benefited my students.  In 1980 I wrote my first book for teachers called TEACHING WRITING.

WHAT WAS THE INSPIRATION BEHIND YOUR BOOK Dave Learns Spanish ?
Several years ago, having written several books for teachers, I decided I wanted my grandchildren to know about my parents, or as I said to my grandchildren, “Your Daddy’s grandma and grandpa.  Luckily both my parents had told me numerous stories about their childhood and growing up and I retained all of them.

WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE AUTHOR AND WHY?
Victor Hugo who wrote empathetically and dramatically about the struggles of poor people in France of the middle ages through the times of Napoleon.  He brought every character to life, those with compassion and those who practiced cruelty.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE BOOK... AND WHY?
Les Miserables by Victor Hugo.  The central character is Jean Valjean, an ex-convict for the crime of stealing a loaf of bread for his sister and her children.  Upon freedom from jail after 19 years, he seeks a path of what he calls redemption, but finds obstacles.  Then through his rescue of an orphaned child, Cosette, he finds the goal of his life.
 
HAVE YOU PUBLISHED ANY OTHER BOOKS?
Writing As Learning
Write for Mathematics
English Grammar Instruction That Works
My Great Grandma Clara
My Great Grandpa Dave
Dave the Boxer
Clara Becomes a Citizen
Clara’s Great War


TELL US A LITTLE ABOUT YOURSELF:
I’m an Educational Consultant who has worked with teachers and students in numerous school districts throughout the United States and in the last few years have presented in France, Spain, Turkey, and the United Kingdom.

DO YOU HAVE ANY NEW BOOKS IN THE WORKS?
Evelyn and the Two Evas -  It will out in about six months from Marble House Editions

For teachers, I have just completed DEFINING EXCELLENCE: CULTURAL RELEVANCE FOR 21ST CENTURY STUDENTS.  Will be out in January.

WHAT CHALLENGES DO YOU FACE AS AN AUTHOR?
Getting my books marketed in a world of competition.

DO YOU HAVE ANY ADVICE FOR ASPIRING AUTHORS?
Write about what you know.  That’s what I tell young students and then always get great writing.

DO YOU EVER SUFFER FROM WRITER'S BLOCK?
No block, as much as working up the energy.  Writing is hard work.  It’s not like speaking.

CAN YOU OFFER ANY TIPS ON HOW TO GET PUBLISHED?
This is tough.  One way is to partner with an emerging publisher who you believe has publishing talent.

IS THERE ANYTHING ELSE YOU'D LIKE TO SHARE WITH OUR READERS?
Don’t be discouraged and never let anyone tell you “you can’t write”.  Yes you can.  Just be sure you write from what you know.

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